Opinions on breast and formula feeding

[Mumtobe2021x]

So originally I planned to just formula feed ( no judgement please) but now I’m thinking I don’t want her to miss out on the benefits of breastfeeding but I don’t want to just breastfeed and rely on just breast milk alone so I’m thinking maybe both but I don’t want to confuse her. Anyone done this before ? How did you go about it? Baby is not born yet

I agree that you can't plan on what to do until the baby is already here. You could be set on breastfeeding and it not work, or you could take to it brilliantly and not want to faff around with bottles.

One piece of advice that I was given is that if you are really set on breastfeeding first then don't take formula in to the hospital. The midwives won't let the baby starve, but having formula in will make you less likely to breastfeed. Personally I know this is true. DS came out hungry and suckled for a good 12 hours. I'm glad I did it but good god was I exhausted.

@IAmWomxxnHearMeRoar

I combi fed right from the start, although I was mostly breast feeding apart from at night where she was bottle fed - helps them to sleep longer. I agree that both your body and the baby need a system/rhythm, and I'd try basically only breast feeding for the first few days a) to get them the liquid gold, and b) to get your body starting a milk flow. Everyone says given a choice babies prefer the bottle because it's easier - but my DD defo preferred me.

I don't think bottle feeding makes all babies sleep longer. My DS hardly slept at all. I bf'd during the day and bottle fed at night. DD on the other hand was a fantastic sleeper and never had a bottle in her life.

Im currently combi feeding my 9 week old. She was in NICU / SCBU for two weeks after birth and dropped to 0.4th centile in the first few weeks after we got her home. I was ill and then extremely stressed so my supply didn't get off to a good start. We offer the breast at each feed for up to 30-45mins and then top up with formula at each feed. I've also hired a hospital grade pump and pump at least twice a day (including once at 3am) to try and maintain my supply. It's insanely hard work and if i could EBF, i would probably prefer to, but it's working for us as a kind of halfway house for now. We've had great support from our local hospital infant feeding team.

@ItsallBollocksanyway

I didn’t suggest the OP should feel guilty. The Op states she does feel guilty. I just acknowledged and responded to her specific circumstances. The OP wants to BF at least partially, if she didn’t want to that would be fine too….but a totally different thread.

[quote Lonelylooloo]@ItsallBollocksanyway

I didn’t suggest the OP should feel guilty. The Op states she does feel guilty. I just acknowledged and responded to her specific circumstances. The OP wants to BF at least partially, if she didn’t want to that would be fine too….but a totally different thread.[/quote]
I think you misread the tone of my post so no need for the . I was in a similar position as the Op and I was giving my own prospective on what I found helpful to hear and what I didn't. I clearly said that I didn't think it was your intention to say someone should feel guilty, it's just how it could be perceived

I didn’t try to breastfeed. I didn’t feel the need to ‘say that I tried’ and I don’t feel guilty.

I combi fed my first from around 10 days. She had a bottle at 10pm which would give me a short block of sleep that didn’t happen otherwise. It worked for us.

With no2, Bf was much easier and she was a better sleeper so no need for the formula.