Debating breastfeeding or formula

[BeckyG86]

Hi there.

I am 33 and pregnant with my first baby. It is still early days for us as I am only 8+4 weeks but we have been looking at different things we will need to buy to get an idea on finance. One of the things were sterialisers an breast pumps, which I know, especially the steriliser, is an essential.

I am in a debate at the moment between breastfeeding and formula. I know of the breast is best philosophy, but I also know that circumstances can determine whether you choose to breastfeed or not, for example I wasn't breast fed because I wouldn't take to it (my Mom tried and it was her plan to breast feed). I plan on having at least 6 months maternity leave (pay permitting) from work so in that sense I feel happy to breastfeed, but the only thing that is making me think about formula is that work are paying for me to do a part-time college course. It is a two year course and I am just finishing my first year. I only attend once a week and it is still planned for me to attend as normal (with the exception of the first two weeks after the baby is born), and my Mom has said that rather than defer my final year for a year she will have the baby that day for me, which makes me think that formula from the start would be more convenient, and I haven't got to worry at college about expressing, leakages, etc (I don't think they have anywhere at college for expressing). The other worry is expressing enough for my Mom to have during the day (I have never had a baby and really don't know how much milk I would be able to Express as well as enough to feed the baby! I now that may be a stupid statement but I don't mean it to be stupid!)

My Mother-in-Law is a health visitor and has given some different leaflets, etc and will get some information on breastfeeding, but has said whatever decision I make she will support.

I know that the baby will get the nutrients they need regardless of breast or formula. It might be that I choose to breastfeed but the baby doesn't take to it. It might be that I choose to use formula but change my mind, I really don't know. I know there is a cost factor to consider (breast milk is free!) But I am not worried about that side of things.

I know I have a while yet to think about it but what are other people's opinions? Has anyone been in a similar situation? Can I get views from both breastfeeding and bottle feeding experiences please?

Thank you for your help in advance.

Research breastfeeding before you have baby so you don’t have any sudden surprises and you kind of have an idea what is normal and what isn’t.

Things like cluster feeding, latch, pain when starting, let down, co-sleeping. Find a breastfeeding consultant in your area and save their details in case you need them.

I breastfed dd for 2.5 years. I loved it because I am inherently lazy and could not bear the thought of washing up and sterilising constantly/getting up in the middle of the night to make a bottle up. The most I ever had to do was stick a bit of nipple balm on.

Good luck!! I ebf for about 2 ish months with first before switching to combi feeding and switched much faster with second child, but again did ebf for a while

Please don't listen to the 'oh it's such a wonderful bonding experience' of the ebf brigade, you get a lovely bonding experience whether you're ebf or combi/ff a child.

It does give you more time to yourself as others can help support you, particularly good for you needing support with your qualifications

Good luck with whatever you chose to do and enjoy your baby

Breastfeeding is quite often short term pain for long term gain. By that, I mean that the first few weeks are often very tough but you most likely get to a certain point and it just clicks for both of you.

We had a terrible start to breastfeeding. My DD couldn't latch for six weeks and then had such a shallow latch I got blisters. I pumped to keep my supply up and she had bottles of expressed milk. Now at 14 weeks she is full time breastfeeding and it's so easy now, like night and day to when we started. For me it was worth persevering as it was important to me and I wanted the longer term ease (plus the savings as formula isn't cheap!). Just be prepared that the start might be a little tough, but breastfeeding tends to get easier, formula probably is easier to start with but it never gets easier.

@codenameduchess
You are replying in a typical fashion.
It is a scientific fact that breastfeeding releases the bonding hormone in a nursing mother in a way that formula doesn’t. I’m not saying the bond is greater, but having breastfed and bottle fed for the past five years the deep sense of contentment and total connection I feel when breastfeeding does not occur when bottle feeding. Sorry but it doesn’t. It doesn’t make me a better mother it’s just how it is for me. Nobody else can breastfed my baby.

I also would never push breastfeeding anyone so I resent the implication.