Formula feeding second child 'because it's easier'

[WiseSheep]

My mum and a few people of her generation that I know have said they formula fed their second child 'because it was easier'. I'm just wondering if anyone knows why it might be easier? Or if anyone did it and found it easier?

I'd rather not ask my mum as it'll turn into a 'thing' about breastfeeding but am really curious.

I'm looking for people's reasoning here however I'm really not looking to judge or start a breast v bottle debate.

I only had one and she was breastfed, but I was recently looking after a new born for a week who was formula fed. Getting up in the middle of the night to prepare a bottle was a real pain in the backside, as was making sure all the bottles were cleaned and in the steriliser before I went to bed. If I’d had to do it for longer than a week I’d have hated it.

My breastfed baby was on a schedule, I didn’t feed on demand during the day, she slept through the night from about 9 weeks. I didn’t have to go anywhere or do anything in the day but if I did choose to go out, I was comfortable feeding in public. Breastfeeding was rocky at the start but it became really easy after the first couple of weeks. My husband was proper hands on, and did his share of the rest of the stuff that needed doing.

But, (and it’s a big one) in both situations, my only job was to make sure that one baby was taken care of. I don’t think there is a one size fits all answer as to what will work. I’d suggest starting out with breastfeeding and switching if it doesn’t work. That way you’ll know what’s best for you.

Fed is best, happy mum is important, do what works.

It’s easier because you can share the feeds. DH, grandparents, friends.

I don’t know anyone who did this. Obviously some people needed or chose to formula feed but I don’t know anyone who said it was easier because they were a second child.