Bf for first feed only?

[Stargirl90]

I have always felt that I definitely don't want to breastfeed , as I am too self conscious to feed in front of family and friends. My DP and I live with my parents at the moment while saving for house deposit .
So it's a definite no in my mind.
I went to antenatal class which was about feeding, and she said even if bottle feeding it can be good to just try the first feed by breast so the baby gets the colostrum. I never really thought that I could do both, like feed just once or twice at max then go onto bottle when home? Did anyone do this? I know it might not even work, since baby's don't always latch on, but wonder if worth a try, if I felt brave enough

Give it a go, you’ve nothing to lose!

With both of mine they latched on really well straight after birth without any problems I think it’s just instinct that kicks in. I then went on to battle with DD1 for 3 months until we both got the hang of it. DD2 took to it straight away. So I would say the first feed is actually easiest of all.

Whilst you’re in hospital you could also use their electric pumps and express your colostrum - you then feed it with a syringe as it’s really thick and the amounts you get are tiny.

You can express the colostrum off with a syringe. They helped me on the ward as it took a couple of days for my milk to come in. It's worth giving that, it's packed with nutrients. Otherwise if you're certain you don't want to BF I probably wouldn't bother with one or two feeds (and I say this as someone BFeeding a nearly 2 year old)

I was similar in that I really had no intention of breast feeding long term but wanted give it a go and at the very least give DS colostrum. I discussed with the midwife before I gave birth and she it was absolutely fine to do. I had a c section so the midwives were on hand to help with DS latching on. After the second night of me trying to feed, he was getting very frustrated as he was starving so they midwife gave me formula and he was content. There was no pressure at all to continue with breast feeding - in fact it was the midwife who suggested to give him a bottle as I think she saw how exhausted and stressed I was getting at being unable to feed.

My aunt didnt BF 3 of her DC but dc4 she bf her 3 times in hospital and straight to ff when she was home! Baby is usually placed under your nighty after delivery for skin to skin and the midwife will help baby to latch on you might find it easy! We lived at my parents with DS and there were always random people calling in. I was surprised by most people who were comfortable in the same room where I BF DS. I used a muslin to cover up. Going to get some nursing ponchos this time.

I would give it a try, why not? There are no rules. You may even find you could combination feed. Like breast feed overnight or first thing in the morning or last thing st night when you wouldnt have lots of people looking, you could take the baby to bed to feed? I did combination feeding with my first, made night time much easier than making, heating bottles with a screaming hungry bsby!

DD had tongue tie so couldn't latch. I hand expressed the colostrum into a syringe for the first day and then did a couple of pumped feeds before switching to bottle.

My plan will be to hand express colostrum into syringes as a few others have said and formula feed beyond that 👍

Absolutely give it a go. Please please remember that babies arnt actually meant to drink loads at birth. They are to be at the breast very frequently to help your milk come in - which takes a few days - this is normal. The colostrum that they are getting during these very frequent feeds is very thick, nutrient dense and lines their virgin guts.

If you don't intend to feed beyond this stage your milk will come in a lot more than if you didn't so be aware that your engorgment pain when stop may be worse. But... you may find it absolutely joyful and want to continue on - natural instinct kicking in and all that.

You could also start to try to hand express the colostrum prior to birth and collect in syringes and freeze -you can then give this to babe after birth too. You won't be able to use it in a bottle as it's very very thick, like golden syrup and the amounts are very small .

Iv breastfed all three of my children till they were about 2 years each and will do so again this time ( this is my last) I thought like you I would be self conscious about it, but I felt very empowered and overprotective about and would always say to people- give it a go, you might surprise yourself.. and if you don't, that's fine too.

Enjoy you baby xx

I'm very pro choice when it comes to feeding, completely get the self awareness of bf in public, also hated it !

I would definitely try giving colostrum though, it's really important for your baby

Yes maybe you'll continue to bf - ignore comments about engorgmwnt pain which everyone gets whether bf colostrum only or otherwise, and it's fine.

Don't be bullied, so what's right for you and your baby as a team

It's perfectly fine to feed first then move to formula.

One thing I would say is that in the first few weeks I was glad to be able to say 'I'm just going to feed DD upstairs' and disappear off for half an hour. It's a really good opportunity for you to get a bit of quiet time for you and the baby.

DD was mix fed at first due to weight issues and she was 100% happy to feed from both the breast and the bottle.

So many positive replies! Reassuring to hear it's quite common to feed or express the colostrum then move onto formula. I think I will definitely try it, as you say, nothing to lose and might enjoy it. If it doesn't work, no harm done :)

Give it a go and see how you get on! Anything you can do to boost your baby's immune system is good for both of you.
There are all sorts of things I thought I would feel self-conscious about that turned out to be fine - screaming baby, baby covered in poo, getting soaked in sick etc. You just sort of go with it. Breastfeeding might be the same for you, maybe not but worth a try.

I done 24 hours but it just wasn’t for me and DD wanted to be on the breast ALL the time. I spoke to the midwife and she was so helpful and supportive. You must do what is right for you.

Definitely worth giving it a go!

Have you thought about discussing bf with your family that you live with? It could be good to talk about your worries before baby arrives.

Good luck! X

My mum pointed this out to me yesterday and it never occurred to me before - newborn calves are killed in order to get the milk that goes into formula! Twisted hey?

@littlemisscomper are you a vegan by any chance? If they killed all calves there would be any adult cows for dairy and meat in future.

Well done @littlemisscomper for now making the women who have no choice but to use formula feel like utter crap for doing so.
I'm sure your comment was very much necessary and helpful.

littlemiss's comment is total BS or cow dung or manure. 2 clicks on google will reassure you that this is totally false and not in the best interest of modern farming practice.

I mixed fed in hospital, continued for a month after and now ff. Do whatever feels right for you and your baby 😀