How bad is Formula?

[orangeguy]

I'm unable to breast feed. How bad is formula?

0% bad

It's made from cows milk. How do I know it baby will have a reaction to it?

I've got a Medela pump but I'm not pumping anything :(

If you are unable to breast feed it is 100% good.

Relax and just make sure your baby is fed. Formula is very well designed to do the job.

Have you had a lactation consultant? I say this because you don’t sound like you want to stop. Formula is absolutely fine but you have a right to breastfeed if you want.

I did a combination of breast and formula feeding which worked great for me. Fed is best whether it's breast or formula

I'm going to a clinic tomorrow. I'm worried it's going to dry up, my milk.

I want to pump and formula.

i breastfed my child so when I say this it is not because I am trying to justify a choice, formula is one of the greatest inventions of all time. It has saved countless lives. Ultimately all that matters is that a baby is fed.

now if you want help figuring out breastfeeding or pumping, there are experts who can help if things aren’t working and may get you back to breastfeeding or possibly combination feeding. If you don’t want to go down that path, or you try that path and it doesn’t work out, it won’t matter in the end. All that will matter is that your child is fed.

Formula is absolutely fine, if made up correctly. Millions of babies have been raised on it without issue, and if your baby has a problem with cow's milk, soy is available. As others have said, fed is best.

I breastfed mine for years but I could pump barely any milk using a breastpump. Especially when babies were newborn.
Are you letting baby suckle ever or just pumping?
The thing is your body responds differently to the baby suckling than it does to the pump..
Sorry if you've already tried this but it's good to try and mimic breastfeeding as naturally as possible to stimulate breadtmilk production for pumping... have baby skin to skin... be looking into babies eyes etc... whilst doing the pump.
But do not get stressed if you end up having to use formula. Your baby will be fine either way

I breastfed for six months but would not have hesitated for even a second to feed formula if breastfeeding wasn't working for me.

'Breast is best' does not mean formula is bad. While breastmilk may be a bit better in a straight comparison to formula, if you take into account other factors where the additional time and stress, fed is best

Formula has been around decades and I don't think you can spot who was breast or formula fed as a child.

I was pumping a good supply a few times and then it stopped because I stopped.

I just find breast feeding too hard. I have flat nipples and 34k boobs. It's hard to hold baby for an unknown amount of time etc.

My 3DC were all on formula from birth. They are fit and healthy children and rarely ill at all.

Can I ask why you didn't BF? I didn't think it was something I wanted to do,,.. but now it's not working and it seems everyone is doing it, I'm jealous.

It is fine. My daughter was born at 24 weeks and I was told it was vital I expressed milk for her. Despite my efforts the most I ever expressed was 20ml over a 24 hour period. It was utterly soul destroying (I persevered obsessively to no avail).
My daughter had no option other than formula. She is a strapping 2 yr old now!

By all means try speaking to a lactation consultant, but just know things will be ok if it doesn't happen.

Hi op, I would definitely try and link in with an infant feeding coordinator and join a breastfeeding support group if you're hoping to maybe combi feed with formula and pumping/nursing. There will be lots of women who have had similar issues if you get the right group! Formula is perfectly and completely grand for your baby and while I fully understand why you may feel jealous of other women who have maybe had a different bf journey to you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using formula - it means you are ensuring your child is fed and healthy and cared for.

Bf is really really difficult and you deserve to have decent, practical, hands on support. Cluster feeding at the start is particularly intense.

Things I know that have been helpful for other mums in similar situations would be using nipple shields, having baby checked for tongue tie and meeting a feeding coordinator to plan how often to feed/pump and get a schedule in place that will protect your supply. The info around combi feeding can be confusing so having a bf support group like la leche league for example would be a good source of advice from other mums who've done the same.

Ultimately, what it comes down to is happy mum happy baby. So you need to do what is right for you first and foremost. Bf is great but it should not come at the complete expense of your mental wellbeing and there is nothing at all wrong with using formula to protect your happiness and your babies health that is what it is designed for.

I didn't want to.

Also just to say if your baby has a cmpa that will affect them if you're breast or formula feeding if you have dairy in your diet anyway. If they show signs then you'd get a dairy free version of formula possibly on prescription.

@LuluBlakey1 thanks for being honest

My sister is a midwife and ff all three of hers from birth. She also had 2 elective sections as did my cousin who is a health visitor. This told me something quite striking in that perhaps breast feeding isn't the be all and end all.
I ff mine after 12 hours of sleep deprived agony. She is a bright, robust, healthy, active 10 year old. I don't think its a good idea to make yourself sad, paranoid and anxious needlessly.
The benefits of ff is that dad can get up in the night so you can sleep. Don't believe the lie about formula taking ages to make either. Get a prep machine, keep everything nice and clean and you'll all be much happier in the long run.

And remember - before formula, babies died if there was a feeding problem.

Thanks. It was more about what's best for them.

Formula nowadays you can't pre make, you have to make it as you go. Thats quite a change.

@orangeguy personally I couldn't get on with pumping at all, I really hated it but if it works for you that's great

I managed to get this from a 15 min feed. So happy. I'm sure my other nipple won't be as good. I'm a little bit more relaxed. It's so hormonal. At least I can provide formula first.

I BF my 1st and hated it, so went straight to formula with my other kids. Everyone was fine!

However if breastfeeding is something you really want to do, I agree that you should get some help to try and establish it. While it’s supposedly the most natural thing in the world, it can be quite difficult for some women to get it going right. And then once they do, it seems so easy.