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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

How did you make your decision?

149 replies

CrosswordGeek · 31/12/2009 17:35

Why did you choose breast or bottle feeding?
Why didn't you choose the alternative?
Do you have any regrets?

Genuine intrigue!

OP posts:
sunburntats · 31/12/2009 17:39

From early days, i wanted to bf.
This was because of all of the health benefits, to save money and i never considered bottle.

I do have regrets yes.
can honestly say that it almost killed me.

If ever i am blessed with another child, i will do both as it was torture, sustained, continuous and went on for 5 months.

sweetnitanitro · 31/12/2009 17:45

I never really made a choice tbh, it never occurred to me to FF. Everyone in my family and extended family BF their children so to me it's always been the norm. Also the health benefits to DD and me are very important.

No regrets here, I've been lucky enough to not have any problems and I'm still going strong with DD at nearly 15 months. It's tiring but I do get to eat quite a lot of chocolate and not put on any weight

BeckyBendyLegs · 31/12/2009 17:45

I desperately wanted to BF and tried as hard as I could to make it work but I went through agony of sore nipples and constant feeding, no weight gain (baby) and weight loss (me), no sleep, etc. Sadly, each time (three times) I gave up before 1 month was out and I regret it deeply but at the time, each time, I was in desperation! With the third one when I was still pregnant DH said 'why not just go straight to bottle' knowing I'd go through the agony of trying and giving up again (he didn't want to see me go through it again as he could see how hurt I got) but there was no way I wasn't going to try again! Every feed is a bonus as far as I am concerned. I hate bottle feeding my baby but he's happy, he's growing, he's doing well. I try to make our feeds as special as I can.

Jbck · 31/12/2009 17:48

Intented to b/f and did my damndest but both DDs decided against it. I expressed and fed them from a bottle when it became apparent they would just not feed from the breast.

HVs & M/Ws not much help, b/f support group were helpful and arranged an electric pump with DD2 but I don't feel I got enough emotional support. I felt I'd let them both down DD1 more so than DD2. I had lots of milk and both could latch on but just wouldn't do it after a couple of days.

My only low points in early motherhood were because of this.

I regret not seeking more information on support for when DD2 came along and maybe not presevering a bit longer but my milk started to dwindle after 6 weeks and as DD1 was strong, fit & healthy it seemed easiest.

DH was supportive but just didn't understand how badly I felt.

CuppaTeaJanice · 31/12/2009 17:50

I chose to mix feed early on, as I had a huge baby and wasn't producing much milk.

Very glad I did, as the vast majority of exclusively breastfed babies I know now have some form of food allergy or intolerance.

I wish I hadn't been so stubborn about not giving up breastfeeding when it clearly wasn't working. I found parenting so much more relaxing and enjoyable once ds was on a bottle at 4 months.

Breastfeeding really is hammered into you from all angles - the NHS, government, NCT, local baby groups.......

kidcreoleandthecoconuts · 31/12/2009 18:04

There was no choice for me...I was always going to try breastfeeding. I trained as a nurse and worked with neonates so knew all the benefits of it.
With DC1 I breastfed and gave ebm in a bottle (so dp could feed too) from a couple of weeks of age. I found it hard work, tiring more than anything I think, hence the ebm. When DC1 was 6 weeks old I got a terrible infection, was given 2 lots of antibiotics and was told they weren't compatible with BF'ing . I stupidly believed the doctor and gave DC1 ebm I had stashed in the freezer and later formula whilst I 'pumped and dumped' my own breastmilk while I was taking the antibiotics. A week later DC1 refused to latch on . So I formula fed from then on.
I totally regret giving up bf and looking back I should have done more to re-establish bf.
With DC2 it was very important to me breastfeed after what happened with DC1.
I fed DC2 for 17 months. No formula and no bottles at all.
I am currently expecting DC3 and plan to breastfeed for at least 12 months and then as long as he/she wants to.

ThingumyandBob · 31/12/2009 18:08

Baby number 1: I was due to go back to work after 3 months so I put myself under huge pressure to get DD into a very strict routine so she would be sleeping through the night etc..had planned that DP would do a lot of night feeds as I worked much longer hours than he did?it was all going to be pretty crazy!

I managed to bf for a few weeks then went onto formula.

Baby number 2: I?m desperate to bf this time, and trying not to put myself under too much pressure about it all either? I ended up not going back to work (along came the credit crunch and bang went my job) so everything is a bit more relaxed this time.

I found the bottles and mixing formula a complete pain and going out, let alone staying away for a few days took a marathon of preparation.

Plus, major bonus this time around, I?ve found underwire nursing bras, wonderful, I was in pain last time as my boobs were sooooo ridiculously huge.

I have my fingers very crossed for being able to bf this time around

LymeBayToEbay · 31/12/2009 18:13

It wasn't a conscious choice. Bfing was the natural, normal thing to do.

I suppose I probably considered that I wouldn't want to ff because of the negatives it brings and that's what made me persevere through some very difficult times.

No regrets. Excl fed to 7 months, still feeding at 2.7yrs.

thenameiwantedwastaken · 31/12/2009 18:22

Thingumy where are these fabled underwired nursing bras? Tell me, tell me, tell me! My back hurts and my boobs have been round my waist for last 7 months!

That said, I guess I should answer OP: I breastfed mainly because if I didn't I'd be the first woman in my family to FF. Nobody else in family put me under pressure but it seemed normal, and tbh I would've been a bit embarrassed using FF when my mum was so pro BF. I like it, tho there have been bad patches - it was so BORINg in the early days and then I got a nipple blister - youch.

Only regret I have is that I didn't try harder to get her onto bottles of EBM in early days. She took it at 4 weeks then a month later wouldn't at all. Would love to be able to share more feeding with DP.

Picante · 31/12/2009 18:47

For me it was mainly because dh has numerous allergies and ezcema. Also because friends had bf and I wanted to do it too.

Original poster
CrosswordGeek · 31/12/2009 18:48

CuppaTeaJanice - weird that you say that, most people I know who were formula fed have some allergy or intolerance, and most that were breastfed haven't.

I guess I'll answer my own question too!

I always wanted to breastfeed, I think it's a beautiful and amazing thing and was really determined from when I first found I was pregnant. My Mum ais a huge advocate for breastfeeding and has been my whole life. She BF my brother and I until we were 9 months (him) and a year (me).

I didn't really ever consider FF until I had all of my glitches in the first few months. I was expressing constantly as I was so sore and DD couldn't get the hang of breastfeeding, and started wondering if it wasn't just worth giving her formula, but I had a kick up the backside when my midwife told me that all the bottles were making the BF harder. They were then thrown to the back of the cupboard and I persevered, crying everytime for a week. I'm SO glad I did.

I don't really regret it at all, although I wish I would have continued to give her SOME bottles of EBM as now she flat out refuses after 3 months of being nowhere near a bottle. This has left me unable to have much of a life outside of her.

OP posts:
lorrycat · 31/12/2009 18:55

i chose to bottle feed becuase i was sexually abused as a child and have so many paranoias and hang ups about my body after this.

I have never regretted the decision...despite many frowns from those who didn't know the real reason why. My son is 17mo and is a very well built and healthy boy. He is happy and loved and has a much more balanced mum than one who would have had to go thru the pain/trauma of BF.

I couldn't cope with exposing myself every time i needed to feed DS (i have quite a big chest).

If anyone wants to judge me for that then that's their call...i honestly don't care.

winnybella · 31/12/2009 18:57

With both kids I sort of assumed I will breastfeed- health benefits, no getting up 5 times a night to prepare the bottle but mainly because it just felt natural.
DS no problem, bf til almost 2 years old.
DD- agony for first 6 weeks, as nipples cracked, toe- curling pain at each feed, but I knew it will sort itself out so just continued and still do at 11mo.

RealityIsMyOnlyDelusion · 31/12/2009 18:58

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RealityIsMyOnlyDelusion · 31/12/2009 18:59

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CirrhosisByTheSea · 31/12/2009 19:02

Wasn't a choice. I was very unwell after a crash CS and DS had no suck - was put to breast and did not ever suck. Was too unwell and immobile and in pain to even think of pumping so bottles it was.

WidowWadman · 31/12/2009 19:02

I always wanted to at least give it a go. Never occurred to me not to try, but I didn't expect to go longer than a couple of weeks because my mum struggled so much. A year and a bit later I'm posting this while breastfeeding my daughter, not because I'm into lentilknitting or owt, but just because I've no idea how to stop.

stressheaderic · 31/12/2009 19:07

I have chosen to FF. Baby is due in Feb.

I don't want to breastfeed, despite the near bullying by midwife, parentcraft, everyone. I have had an absolutely shit pregancy with every problem under the sun - now I just want my body back and my baby in my arms.
It's my choice.

Confusedfirsttimemum · 31/12/2009 19:07

Lorry- no one would judge you for such a difficult situation and honest decision. I've heard of women who were abused who have felt the exact opposite too.

OP- For me, I assumed I would as everyone in my family does and it just didn't occur to me not to. Still going strong at 8 1/2 months. No idea how or when I'll stop!

thenameIwanted - Anita underwired bras. On Figleaves. Cost a small fortune, but worth every penny. They were in the sale just before Christmas.

Bicnod · 31/12/2009 19:14

I fought very hard to breastfeed my son (through 7 weeks of nipple thrush and a bout of mastitis). I did it because I believe it will give him the best possible start healthwise and because it seemed like the natural thing to do. I continued for those reasons and also because I found it a wonderful bonding experience.

I started mix feeding at 6 months (just one bottle of formula a day) and I wanted to continue bf morning and night up to a year but DS had other ideas - he started refusing breast in favour of bottle a couple of weeks ago once he realised they were no slow let down issues with formula!

I finally gave up the fight last week (DS is now 8 months old) and he is now exclusively on formula. I feel sad and I miss feeding him but 8 months is much longer than I thought I'd manage in the early days when it was just a case of taking one feed at a time...

shockers · 31/12/2009 19:20

Loved BFing DS1. It was hard for a week or so when I had cracked nipples but I fed through the pain and BF til he was 12 months. He has no allergies or intolerences.
DS2 is adopted but we had him since birth. The formula that they sent from SS made him constipated... we changed it to Hipp or problem went away but he has problems with wheat (bloating and pain) and cows milk (sickness and tummy ache) Goats milk doesn't affect him badly so he's on that for cereal, drinks now.
Wish I could have BF him

shockers · 31/12/2009 19:21

and problem went away...

pooexplosions · 31/12/2009 19:34

Like others, I never even considered formula feeding, so there was no choice to be made. I fed my 1st for 12 months, my 2nd for 16 months, and am currently feeding my 13 week old 3rd.
No regrets at all, it wasn't all plain sailing but it never occurred to me that I couldn't do it, and even with some severe troubles the first time I just kept going and it all worked out on the end.

Stephief · 31/12/2009 19:36

I chose to bottlefeed.

Well I didnt really have an option as I dont produce breastmilk so couldnt bf if I wanted to. But wouldnt have wanted to even if I could so if I had had a choice, it would have been to bottlefeed, if that makes sense!

I dont regret it at all. Perfectly happy, my kids are very healthy and bright as buttons!

poinsettydawg · 31/12/2009 19:39

I chose bf because it seemed the natural, easy, cheap, best choice. However, it was hard for all sorts of reasons and I didn't stick at it for that long.