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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Feeding resources for new mum

11 replies

BoyMama2be · 18/09/2022 12:12

Hi,

I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant, and at the stage where I have most things purchased for the baby. However, I have avoided anything feeding related so far as I just feel quite clueless.

I haven't quite decided if I want to breastfeed, I don't have a big urge to necessarily - did everyone else? Is this perhaps something that will come when baby arrives? However I am aware that I really don't know much about breastfeeding, formula, pumping, combi etc and would like to know more. Pumping appeals to me the most at the moment. When I picture the first few months, I just struggle to imagine myself feeding exclusively.

Could anyone recommend any good books/websites where I can learn more? Preferably ones that take a neutral, non biased either way stance. I get there is the breast milk versus formula argument, and that's not what I am looking to learn more about, it is more I'd like to learn the logistics of the options available, so I can make a decision about what would work best for my family.

I have found most healthcare practitioners have been more informative about exclusively breastfeeding, and I've struggled to gain any advice regarding other options from them.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 18/09/2022 12:16

Exclusive pumping is a lot of work, more so than breastfeeding generally.

Have a look at Lucy Ruddle's book Mixed Up maybe, and Shel Banks' Why Formula Feeding Matters. And look at the two authors on FB/instagram.

Kellymom also has some pumping resources. You will generally find more pumping based resources from US sources because they have less maternity leave so it's more common there. You might want to look into hands free wearable pumps.

BertieBotts · 18/09/2022 12:18

Lucy Ruddle's Relactation book also has info about pumping and increasing supply when pumping.

Original poster
BoyMama2be · 18/09/2022 12:23

Thank you! Will have a look at those.

I don't think I'm looking more at exclusive pumping, I meant more that the idea of pumping alongside breastfeeding appeals to me - you can tell how little I know about it when I'm finding it hard to even articulate!

OP posts:
addler · 18/09/2022 12:53

It's a great idea to think about what would work best for you when it comes to feeding! Combi feeding can be a great way of feeding.

If it is what you choose and are able to do, it's recommended that you don't introduce a bottle (of either expressed milk or formula) until at least 6 weeks. Up until that point your milk supply hasn't stabilised as such, the receptors in your breasts shut off around then and after that it's a lot harder to increase your supply.

So if you were to introduce a bottle before then and therefore not have your baby at the breast you'll be telling your body to stop making as much milk, and those receptors shut down when they're not needed. It also helps baby learn how to breastfeed efficiently and not get lazy with a bottle which tends to have a much faster flow. It's the best and easiest option in the long run (if you want to breastfeed completely or partially) to wait until 6 weeks to introduce a bottle.

However those 6 weeks can sometimes be really bloody hard! Some people are lucky and have an easy go with breastfeeding, but for the majority it's a really steep learning curve. Once you get to 6 weeks though it tends to get a lot easier.

Pros of breastfeeding:
Cheap
Available anytime anywhere without preparation
A great comfort to baby- babies don't just nurse for food
Research shows that your breast milk is tailored to your baby and your environment, it will change if your baby is sick for example

Cons of breastfeeding:
It can be draining being the parent solely responsible for feeding
Emotionally and physically difficult in the beginning
Can be more difficult to leave baby for periods of time if you want to
Removing parts of diet if the baby has an allergy
Sometimes harder to night wean baby

Pros of formula feeding:
Multiple people can feed the baby
Often mentally easier in that you aren't second guessing whether your baby has had enough milk

Cons of formula feeding:
Expensive
More hassle with sterilising bottles, making up feeds, transporting milk out and about

There's a book called Making More Milk which is great for learning about the mechanics of breastfeeding and milk supply, and La Leche League and Kellymom have great resources. Maybe that way you'd be able to get a real sense of if you think it's what you want to try, and if so you'll have your best foot forward with your knowledge and preparation.

One thing I would say is give yourself time and patience and let yourself change your mind if it comes down to it- we don't know how things are going to go for us until we're in the thick of it and sometimes things change. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Original poster
BoyMama2be · 18/09/2022 21:45

addler · 18/09/2022 12:53

It's a great idea to think about what would work best for you when it comes to feeding! Combi feeding can be a great way of feeding.

If it is what you choose and are able to do, it's recommended that you don't introduce a bottle (of either expressed milk or formula) until at least 6 weeks. Up until that point your milk supply hasn't stabilised as such, the receptors in your breasts shut off around then and after that it's a lot harder to increase your supply.

So if you were to introduce a bottle before then and therefore not have your baby at the breast you'll be telling your body to stop making as much milk, and those receptors shut down when they're not needed. It also helps baby learn how to breastfeed efficiently and not get lazy with a bottle which tends to have a much faster flow. It's the best and easiest option in the long run (if you want to breastfeed completely or partially) to wait until 6 weeks to introduce a bottle.

However those 6 weeks can sometimes be really bloody hard! Some people are lucky and have an easy go with breastfeeding, but for the majority it's a really steep learning curve. Once you get to 6 weeks though it tends to get a lot easier.

Pros of breastfeeding:
Cheap
Available anytime anywhere without preparation
A great comfort to baby- babies don't just nurse for food
Research shows that your breast milk is tailored to your baby and your environment, it will change if your baby is sick for example

Cons of breastfeeding:
It can be draining being the parent solely responsible for feeding
Emotionally and physically difficult in the beginning
Can be more difficult to leave baby for periods of time if you want to
Removing parts of diet if the baby has an allergy
Sometimes harder to night wean baby

Pros of formula feeding:
Multiple people can feed the baby
Often mentally easier in that you aren't second guessing whether your baby has had enough milk

Cons of formula feeding:
Expensive
More hassle with sterilising bottles, making up feeds, transporting milk out and about

There's a book called Making More Milk which is great for learning about the mechanics of breastfeeding and milk supply, and La Leche League and Kellymom have great resources. Maybe that way you'd be able to get a real sense of if you think it's what you want to try, and if so you'll have your best foot forward with your knowledge and preparation.

One thing I would say is give yourself time and patience and let yourself change your mind if it comes down to it- we don't know how things are going to go for us until we're in the thick of it and sometimes things change. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Thank you so much, this is really helpful. It's great to have resources to look at!

OP posts:
Muddledandbefuddled · 18/09/2022 21:55

I thoroughly recommend the Positive Breastfeeding Book. Also the ridiculously named but very good Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is worth a read.

Mumsneat · 19/09/2022 03:48

It's great that you're thinking about this already. I know for lots of mums, they don't have a strong feeling either way in pregnancy then when baby arrives they have an overwhelming urge to breastfeed.

There are lots of resources about breastfeeding. The early weeks can be tough (like everything with a newborn) but once you get into the swing most mums find it far more convenient and very rewarding.

One thing I would say is worth remembering is that if you start off giving breastfeeding a go you always have the option of combi feeding or fully bottle feeding later on. If you start out with a bottle your supply will suffer and you can't easily return to breastfeeding.

Expressing milk is possible but also a lot of work - maybe have a look on YouTube to see the process (lots of US mums talk about it online).

ABM and LLL have free online courses about breastfeeding for new parents that might help.

courses.abm.support/courses/team-baby-getting-ready-to-breastfeed/

www.laleche.org.uk/antenatal-courses/

The NHS has a few articles on formula feeding and what it involves which might help.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/advice/

www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/making-up-baby-formula/

www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/formula-milk-questions/

Flittingaboutagain · 19/09/2022 05:00

I had no urge to breastfeed. Then at 34 weeks I watched a channel 4 dispatched documentary about the formula industry and read up on the benefits to baby such as reduced likelihood of some illnesses including cancer as well as to mother. There was also evidence that protection from my Covid jabs would pass into my milk. It all made me absolutely determined to do it. In the end I had to pump for every feed (which meant pumping every 2-3 hours including all night) until she was eight weeks because she couldn't latch and needed tongue tie correcting. So I had a really rough time but by 12 weeks we were away!

The World Health Organisation has some good info. I also recommend people like Kathryn Stagg and Lyndsey Hookway on Instagram. Breastfeeding still going strong at 13m now.

BertieBotts · 19/09/2022 07:36

Oh talking of Lyndsey Hookway, she has some brilliant resources for preparing to breastfeed on her youtube. I am on my third baby, breastfed the first two so felt like I knew a lot about BF and these still taught me new things:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxDyrZ92jcD00KB6oOpRJQ/videos

All the white presentation type slides. NB "Breastfeeding the Brave" is about supporting children who are seriously ill, if you would prefer to avoid as feeling sensitive to that kind of thing. But the others are about breastfeeding/newborn behaviour in general, and are really straightforward/neutral - not persuading you that BF is the best thing ever, just factual info about what to expect and how it all works.

BertieBotts · 19/09/2022 08:08

Jsut thought of another one: "Let's Talk About Feeding Your Baby" by Amy Brown.

Twizbe · 19/09/2022 08:19

Best book I found was your baby week by week.

About 4 pages per week. Includes information on breast and formula feeding in a very matter of fact non judgemental way. It has a bit about why you might stop breastfeeding each week with common issues.

Information about what's happening to you too.

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