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Original poster

Breastfeeding vs formula

151 replies

Keyboard91 · 09/12/2019 08:48

I have a medical condition that means I will need to be on medication within 2 weeks of birth which will mean I cannot breastfeed from that point.

I always had the ‘I’m going to breastfeed’ dream and if it wasn’t for my disability, we’d be planning on BF from day 1. However, knowing that the longest I’ll be able to do it is 2 weeks, and that it may well be less than that, I’m now in two minds.

I’ve read a lot about how it takes time for it to establish etc and unfortunately I just won’t have that time (as in I will have less than 2 weeks). I’ve also read that unless you are actively feeding then expressing is very difficult and unproductive.

Has anyone got any advice? This is my first baby so it’s not something I have any experience of. I just want to do the best I can for him.

I’m also at high risk of a C-Section if that has any bearing?

I’m fully aware breast is best so please don’t hammer that in and make me feel any worse than I already do. And I am sure I can’t BF with the medication. It’s nasty stuff, caused at least 1 of my 2 MCs ... but it keeps me alive and able to walk so is a necessary evil.

Thank you in advance :)

OP posts:
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userhdhdhdhd · 10/12/2019 07:40

God, this has been done to death. I'm surprised anyone still argues over this

Solihooley · 10/12/2019 07:55

I haven’t RTFT so apologies of this has been posted but if it’s your preferred feeding method please please contact the lady who runs this website and they will check the safety of a drug in breastmilk for you with all available evidence. Very few drugs are licensed for breastfeeding mothers but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not safe. All substances get through breastmilk (including what you eat and drink) in a lot smaller quantities than people seem to think and it’s rare that a drug will have an adverse effect.

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/detailed-information/drugs-in-breastmilk/

If you’ve checked this and you can’t, I don’t see the problem with feeding for 2 weeks. It’s all beneficial for you and baby, and if you’re struggling in that time then you can move onto formula anyway knowing that was always the plan. Make sure you also get lost of info on formula a don’t spunk your money on the most expensive, they are all the same. Here is good for info. Good luck.

www.firststepsnutrition.org/

ChristmasCakeLover · 10/12/2019 08:32

Breastfeeed for as long as you want and can. Don't beat yourself up about not continuing, not being able too. It just wastes do much energy and can harm your mental health. Believe me it did a number on mine.

Speak to your midwife and bf clinic for support if you need it in those 2 weeks and enjoy it. Hopefully you won't need support and bf will work well. Just try not to pressure yourself too much either way, enjoy your baby.

Chista · 10/12/2019 08:37

Hi OP, just giving you my experience thus far. I am also a first time mum and my dream was also to bf. I had an emcs, I was absolutely wiped out following the little ones arrival and DH tells me that he supported me in getting lo latched and fed, I don't remember this. DH wasn't allowed on the ward as it was past visiting hours, I tried and tried to get lo to latch but was unsuccessful, despite asking for support throughout the night to help, I didn't manage it. I was given syringes to collect colostrum and feed using that, he was very very hungry and it wasn't sufficient so had to supplement with formula. The bf specialist came to see me some 38 hours after delivery and scolded me for ff which I found completely out of order, she really made me feel like a failure as did some other midwives and some of the other mums on the ward. I was fortunate that DH was very supportive and also found support from some nurses who said bf isn't as important as baby actually being fed and my mental health not being negatively impacted as PND is always a risk. I have been mixing expressed milk with formula since and hes a happy healthy baby, thats all I care about and the bf militia can go do one in my eyes.

MaidenMotherCrone · 10/12/2019 09:38

I have read the full thread and imagine non of it has helped you OP, what with the bickering back and forth etc.

I should imagine, given your circumstances and this being your first baby, you will have enough on your plate without adding more stress.

If I were you I'd formula feed from the very start. It's hard enough with a new born. I breastfed 3 before anyone jumps on me. I can also see the bigger picture.

Her0utdoors · 10/12/2019 09:44

Breastfeeding Network is a brilliant resource, it has been linked up thread.
All the best OP Flowers

OhWellThatsJustGreat · 10/12/2019 09:56

I truly feel for you op, you came here for advice and got 4 pages of arguing. There are some good nuggets hidden amongst it all.
Initially I said express to get a backlog supply during those initial 2 weeks, but after reading your updates and if the medication is long term, personally I'd give baby the initial colostrum feeds in the first 2 weeks and then switch to formula, a newborn is hard enough without trying to build up storage of breast milk.

Tableclothing · 10/12/2019 10:33

WellErrr

A load more dismissive comments saying of course breast is best...but a distinct lack of links to actual evidence

You missed my link then?

I've just read your link. It was a study counting the number of women in a small town in Ethiopia who fed colostrum within 1 hour of birth. It didn't compare outcomes of that group to outcomes of another group. There was nothing in it that actually tested, let alone proved, benefits of anything.

Happy to read other research if you link to it.

Boxerbinky · 10/12/2019 10:37

I had no issues establishing breastfeeding straight away, my ds latched and got colostrum straight after birth, then my milk came in a day or two later. As pp have said to bf for any period is beneficial. I have a friend who combi fed, and another that expresses along with lots that gave formula.

Ultimately you have to do what is best for you, and whatever feeding method you settle on definitely don't feel guilty! But back to your op - if I knew I could only bf for two weeks I would definitely still give it a go.

Good luck with whatever you decide - and definitely no guilt, your baby had a mum that cares - that's what's best for baby!

girlanonymous · 10/12/2019 13:47

Breastfeeding is a lot more difficult then people think. With DS I really wanted to breastfeed and ambitiously thought I could do it for 6 months. And then he was born. He did not want to latch on at all! No matter what position I tried to put him in. And the nurses/midwifes don't really understand that some baby's just don't want to feed. The longest I got a feed from him after consistently trying was 5 minutes.

Instead I bought the medela pump and expressed, stored and fed him every 3 hours during first 6 months. However he was combination fed form birth. It's exhausting and stressful, but because I REALLY wanted to breastfeed this was my only option.
Currently pregnant with DD and I think if she fails to latch on and really doesn't want to feed I'm not going to try as hard.
Please do not think you failed! Every baby is different, some latch on and some don't.

Rainycloudyday · 10/12/2019 13:51

I agree that this has turned into a bf v ff debate which is possibly unhelpful to the OP and I apologise for my part in that. I just can’t help but say something when I see such frustrating statements being made to vulnerable women.

Look at the evidence in the study linked above for the discordant sibling group.

Rainycloudyday · 10/12/2019 13:52

(Spoiler alert-there’s no evidence for advantages)

MiniGuinness · 11/12/2019 03:24

Now, that isn’t true is it @Rainycloudyday, even the study you linked to discusses the benefits.

Rainycloudyday · 11/12/2019 07:34

Yes, when social and economic factors WEREN’T excluded, the study showed benefits from breastfeeding. However, when the discordant siblings group (siblings that had been fed differently from one another) was analysed those benefits totally disappeared. Indicating that it is family circumstances, upbringing etc which determines outcomes, not how a baby is fed.
The conclusions of the study are that the benefits of breastfeeding are vastly overstated. This is absolutely huge yet people choose to ignore it because it doesn’t fit their chosen narrative. Yes there are many great benefits to breastfeeding, cost, environmental impact etc. but let’s not pretend it makes a jot of difference to how your child will turn out. It’s just another stick to beat new mothers with. Why does the cynic in me believe that the evidence would have shown no benefits to breastfeeding an awful lot sooner if it were men that had to do it?

CloudyVanilla · 11/12/2019 08:35

Yah the study does say as analysed by experts, the perceived difference/benefits of breastfeeding are massively overstated.

I dont get why that takes away or offends people who breastfeed; it doesnt mean breastfeeding isn't great if it works for you, but it does mean that there is no evidence based reason to go around telling other women that "breast is best" to such an extent as to imply that formula fed babies will be worse off. It's simply not shown to be the case.

BertieBotts · 11/12/2019 08:46

Bottle clearly is best for OP considering that it's a choice between breastfeeding and being unable to walk or possible death Hmm

It's all very well comparing the substance of breastmilk to the substance of formula but feeding choices don't happen in a vacuum and realistically there will be upsides and downsides to each choice. For my own situation, breast was best but for somebody else, bottle will be and that's fine. It's fantastic that we have the option. Let's not forget in some times and places OP wouldn't have access to this medication at all let alone the option to feed her baby something safe, appropriate and highly regulated while she takes it.

Lweji · 11/12/2019 08:53

I breastfed and wanted to, but if it hadn't been possible, I wouldn't have any issues with bottle feeding.
I wouldn't think twice in your case, OP. Just use bottles.

Having said that I did have a lot of milk in the first two weeks, and you could have been too and be able to do it then, but I don't think it will make a big difference anyway.

Food is food

Ilovelala · 11/12/2019 09:11

I'd contact the breastfeeding network on Facebook and ask about the medication.

PrayingandHoping · 11/12/2019 09:11

Op I have been in your position with my now 7 week old baby. I have a health condition where BF was not possible (and before BF jump on me this was entirely supported by all health professionals!)

I hand expressed alongside giving formula for the first 2 weeks which gave her colostrum. Before birth I was not even sure I was going to be able to do that. Even the midwives around me helping me were surprised and supportive that I managed it. Sadly I wasn't able to do it enough as at one point I hoped to continue into expressing milk with a pump but because I hadn't done it enough it didn't happen. I had great support and they just praised me for what I had done. No pressure or vitriol.

I would recommend speaking to your midwife about hand expressing. It's not hard once your shown how, I hope your team are as lovely and amazing as mine were

Rainycloudyday · 11/12/2019 10:03

I'd contact the breastfeeding network on Facebook and ask about the medication.

And I’d continue to take the professional advice of my medical team, rather than asking some randoms on Facebook Hmm

MilliiMoo · 11/12/2019 11:16

I am amazed that some women seriously believe that breast isn't best and formula is equal. Cows milk (for calves ) or other milks will never be equal to breast milk. You really don't need any scientific research to know that . Mammals make milk for their own babies which is species appropriate. Most women can breastfeed but don't get beyond the first few weeks because it is bloody hard. No one really teaches you how hard it is but once you are through about two months it gets easier and is very convenient, more so than bottles.
For those that genuinely can't breastfeed for medical reasons, formula is of course the only other choice and it will be fine. The OP has medical reasons as to why and her health is important to.

Rainycloudyday · 11/12/2019 11:48

I find this so frustrating, when people just say well of course breast milk is better because it’s for humans. Yes it’s designed specifically for humans, but bluntly, so what? If the evidence shows that makes no difference to the effect it has on a child and their outcomes, I struggle to understand the justification for continued argument that it is superior ‘just because’.

Anyway, this isn’t going anywhere and is unhelpful to the OP. Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

NotYourHun · 11/12/2019 13:45

@Rainycloudyday

Wendy Jones who runs the breastfeeding network is a very highly regarded pharmacist who specialises in lactation. The breastfeeding network information sheets are widely used by medical professionals.

WellErrr · 11/12/2019 14:14

If the evidence shows that makes no difference to the effect it has on a child and their outcomes,

But that’s just it - the evidence doesn’t show that. It shows the opposite.