Did you breast of formula feed?

[isitThursday]

I'm not looking for a debate just wondering. Did you breast, formula or mix feed?

@newnamenewyear

Breastfed, wouldn't change it for the world!

Once we got it established, it was the easiest thing in the world, and such a helpful parenting tool, a boob is the solution to so many things, BFing's not just food! If my DC were not sleeping / ill / too hot / too cold / cranky / needed distraction while having a jab, BFing would usually be the answer.

I was so grateful to be able to BF when my DS got so sick as a toddler he wouldn't even take water, but he would BF. If I'd not been able to feed him I'd have gone spare with worry.

It's reassuring to know BFing supports the immune system.

Sterilising bottles & making up formula looks like such a faff, glad I didn't have to do it.

Plus, BFing is free.

Surely if they're too hot or too cold you just add or remove a layer

[quote Mammyofasuperbaby]@nuggetschicken, your Dr is an idiot. All reflux meds can be given separately from a bottle. Both gaviscon and omeprazole are dissolved in a little water and given on a spoon or syringe either before or during a breastfeed.
A bottle is less faff as you just mix it into the formula but infant gaviscon even has the breastfeeding instructions on the back right next to the formula instructions.
I know it doesn't help now but it might help others or for future reference[/quote]
I found that out later, couldn't believe it. I was only 20 so I didn't even challenge it. He used to projectile vomit after every feed. Luckily never had a problem with weight but he would feed constantly. Was such a stressful time.

Wanted to bf Ds1. After a traumatic birth with huge postpartum haemorrhage I didn’t produce any milk so FF. I felt hideous about this as I’d put a lot of pressure on myself to breastfeed and I’d been a bit brainwashed by nct classes that anything less than exclusive breastfeeding was bad.

Made peace with my by the time ds2 was born and FF him from the start. I’d taken the decision to protect my mental health and didn’t want to ‘fail’ at breastfeeding again.

Both my boys are perfect, happy and healthy. FF worked really well for our family. There is a lot I liked about it, especially being able to share night feeds with DH. I am pregnant with DD1 and will be FF from the start again.

Formula!

My milk never came properly and I prioritised my mental health and well-being...

DS is happy and healthy despite being a premie, and the main benefit was both DH and I got to develop that lovely early feeding bond- equally we both got rest as we took feeding in turns

Formula for both my DC. Didn't try BF with either.

They're both strapping teenagers now, no allergies etc. when they were toddlers they rarely suffered with colds or illnesses so no, I don't regret my choice at all.

BF to three and a half when Ds self weaned

Currently EBF DD, she 4 months and refuses even a bottle of expressed milk. Luckily it came naturally to both of us and I find it physically easy and on the most part enjoy it . However BF is tough work and it's definitely had an impact mentally on me being the sole person who can feed esp when DF is desperate to help me. I don't want to wish time away but once weaning starts a little pressure will be off.

Breastfed both of my kids. First until 5 months when I went back to work (switched to bottle) but second for a year as she would refuse a bottle. Both started on solids at about four months too (so second bf baby was down to one feed when she stopped).

Combi fed all

@11GrumpsaGrumping

Formula!

My milk never came properly and I prioritised my mental health and well-being...

DS is happy and healthy despite being a premie, and the main benefit was both DH and I got to develop that lovely early feeding bond- equally we both got rest as we took feeding in turns

Ah this is really nice to here. Having the same issue here with our now 3 week old 34 weeker.

Tried mainly bf but after 10 days she'd lost way too much weight. Im barely producing a few ml a day of milk and she just gets exhausted trying to eat it. So we decided to go from breastfeeding with some small formula tops ups as reccomended by the hospital to mainly ff and whatever breast she'll take is a bonus.

I was a bit upset as really wanted to give her that extra immunity boost but not much I can do if my boobs don't want to make much milk. Though when she does feed I find if very easy and a lovely experience.

Also find fhd bottles a faff but what can you do? At least I can see she's getting enough food

Combo fed my first for the first six months then formula fed exclusively after that

Second was ebf for 4 years (I'd been aiming for a year!) He had a posterior tongue tie which was spotted at birth and sorted with a few weeks and the difference was night and day for feeding. My oldest also has a tongue tie which wasn't spotted (only realised after second child was diagnosed). If I had my time again with him I'd have loved to have had him 'fixed' and ebf him as well. Thought my body was shit at breastfeeding, turns out I'm akin to a dairy cow. Looking back I now shudder at all the prep and washing and sterilising etc for formula feeding. And breastfeeding became a genuine joy that I sometimes still miss now two years on!

If ever I was lucky enough to have another baby I'd absolutely bf again and grit my teeth through any initial struggles because for me personally, having done both, I know which one I definitely prefer and what I consider worth the challenges (if there were any)

I will say though that at the time, going onto formula was absolutely the right choice for me and oldest DS. That was not a fun bf experience. You can only go with what you know and are experiencing at the time