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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Breast or bottle?

35 replies

NilPoisDrama · 25/08/2021 15:11

Simply what the title says…

We are in the process of TTC, my DP & I have different views on feeding...

I am not opposed to the idea of BF, however, I would prefer to express and bottle feed or even formula feed. My main reasons not to BF is that DP has an 8 year old from previous and he lives with us 50% of the week, I don’t know how I would feel when he is here and I am BF-ing and also I don’t think I would be confident in public etc.

DP seems to think it is the most ‘natural thing’ to do, agreed but I’m trying to be realistic in the fact that it doesn’t just ‘happen’ for everyone. My best friend has recently had a baby and BF for 6 weeks before realising her little boy has a dairy allergy and she cant BF without cutting out dairy herself.

What’s everyone’s opinions/ experiences?

At the end of the day, fed is best!

OP posts:

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Chanel05 · 25/08/2021 20:31

Absolutely your decision.

I was 100% going to bf never knew a thing about bottles. I had a major haemorrhage during my emcs and this rendered me unable to bf as I never made any milk at all because of this.

SillyBry · 25/08/2021 21:54

I breastfed for a year. The early weeks are hard - it does hurt and feels never ending, but get to 6 weeks and it all gets easier.
I didn’t find pumping a pain at all. I pumped whilst watching tv each evening and then hubby did the last evening feed so I could go to bed. For me, pumping gave me freedom to go out and not be anxious she was starving whilst I was away.
Kelly mom is a great website with loads of breastfeeding info. But if you’re on TTC now, you don’t need to make a hard and fast decision, you have plenty of time 😊

Miliao · 25/08/2021 22:38

Combi-fed from day 1, and no nipple confusion. Ultimately whatever you decide is what’s best for you and don’t let others make you feel bad about your decision (easier said than done!).

Jujujuly · 25/08/2021 23:17

Agree with the others - don’t stress too much before baby comes, keep an open mind, and give bf a go if it is an option because you can always move to ff from bf but can’t do it the other way round (without major effort!). Also before I had my kids I thought pumping would be the best of both worlds but like others have said it’s shit. Exhausting, made me feel like a cow, couldn’t be with the baby when I did it, and I barely got anything out anyway! I breastfed DC1 for a year and still going with 10 month old DC2 and the most I’ve ever managed to express with either is about 1oz. If I wanted to give a bottle I’d just give formula.

sarah13xx · 25/08/2021 23:19

My little one is 2 weeks old and I wanted to express colostrum before he was born to give via syringes in hospital then express some more and possibly pump to give him some too. Like you I’m not someone who is comfortable having my boob out in public, or even in the company of literally anyone. In the end up the colostrum harvesting didn’t work and I got very very little out. I took the syringes to hospital and expressed the tiniest bit in hospital which I gave him. I then decided to just bottle feed. My milk came in on day 3 and the midwife had advised me not to do anything to them and wear a supportive bra until my milk dried up. On day 6 or 7 while trying to make a bottle for my crying baby I started leaking a lot! Something in me started to regret not trying harder to give him breast milk. I then ordered a breast pump to come the next day and had a go. I got out the tiniest drop, literally. The faff involved in sterilising and setting up the pump made me realise how difficult exclusively pumping would have been. I think if I have another baby I will either try breast feeding while in hospital or I’ll start pumping from day 1. I have a weird feeling of semi-regret now, just wish the colostrum harvesting had worked out at least. He’s doing well on formula though and is a very content and easy going baby who only gets up once during the night at 2 weeks old so I really can’t complain 😊 Do what is right for you or prepare for all options and decide when you see how you feel at the time

shreddednips · 25/08/2021 23:34

I'm still breastfeeding at nearly 3 years but the most important thing is to do whatever you feel comfortable with and whatever works for you. The only thing I would be cautious of is mixed feeding right away- it can be difficult to establish a supply because a baby is much better at extracting milk than a pump, and I must say I found pumping much harder than I imagined.

I breastfed DS until 4 weeks, then went to exclusively formula for a few weeks, then relactated so I've had a bit of experience of both and both have their positives and drawbacks. Breastfeeding is really hard at first but I found it very convenient later on. Whatever you decide, don't let your DH make you feel bad about it. Not his nips.

Mountainpose · 25/08/2021 23:43

Don’t overthink/preplan.
Breastfeed to start - if it works out, great! It’s easy because no bottles/sterilising etc.
If not, do bottles. Whatever works for you and your baby and circumstances, you don’t know until it’s happening x

DappledThings · 25/08/2021 23:48

I breastfed two to 14 months. Very glad I never had to bother making up bottles or any of that. Looks like a right faff.

With DC1 I expressed loads so we could persevere with getting him to take a bottle so I could go on a day hen do when he was 5 months. With DC2 I had no such plans so never bothered even trying to get her to take a bottle. Couldn't be arsed with it!

Babyboomtastic · 25/08/2021 23:49

Ive done all 3 types.

Ff my first.
Mix fed my second initially (deliberately) and then EBF as she refused bottles despite being given them from birth.

If i have another child I'd try to mix feed again.

I love the convenience of boob, and lack of bottle admin. I hated that it was all me, and how trapped i felt with a bottle refuser.

I loved being able to share with formula, and i felt my daughter loved me for me, not because I was food on legs. I was never tired. But the making up feeds, and the extra bits to carry around were a pain.

I didnt find bf painful, and i didn't find expressing hard (i just worked or watched tv). Both were just kind of plug and play (or latch and go i guess)

WTF475878237NC · 26/08/2021 00:08

Personally I found expressing great and gives me the freedom and privacy I want. It is also possible to cup feed and never use bottles at all. I started cup feeding expressed milk from birth and only feeding from the breast from seven weeks, so my supply was established by then and tongue tie finally sorted. You really do need to be committed as it takes several weeks to be able to get a good supply and there will be loads of times you'll want to give up because of low weight, pain/thrush/blocked ducts/vasospasm/mastitis/tongue tie! If you can get support and correct intervention then it's so convenient, cheap and the most health benefits for you and baby.

The UK has some of the lowest rates of BF in the developed world. I really think it's because of the lack of support in the first month. I had loads of issues after delivery and was told to just give formula. My community midwife said it is less hassle for stretched ward staff than having to sit with you and help you/keep you in. There is research about how many women say they want to bf whilst pregnant, but switch to formula quickly once baby comes. Dispatches has some good programmes on this.

Whatever you decide you want to try, it really is hugely emotive and very personal and there may be hurdles whatever you do. Support is out there from Kelly Mom (great for pumping mums), La Leche League and NCT.

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