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Original poster

How bad is Formula?

197 replies

orangeguy · 08/12/2023 00:25

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

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Lavender14 · 08/12/2023 01:24

Op, how old is your baby? Just asking as supply does regulate after a bit so what you've just pumped I'd get in an hour from both sides combined.

Original poster
orangeguy · 08/12/2023 01:24

Lizzieregina · 08/12/2023 01:19

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.

I just want to do what's best for baby .... it's just hard as I don't know why I'm so judgemental

OP posts:
Original poster
orangeguy · 08/12/2023 01:25

Lavender14 · 08/12/2023 01:24

Op, how old is your baby? Just asking as supply does regulate after a bit so what you've just pumped I'd get in an hour from both sides combined.

Born 10 days ago.

OP posts:
Uachtar · 08/12/2023 01:33

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 08/12/2023 00:28

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.

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

fixed that

Laserbeam24 · 08/12/2023 02:18

I didn't produce any milk either! Formula is NOT bad, despite what you're taught.

I was dead set I wanted to breastfeed, but I actually find bottle feeding so much easier. You know exactly how much they've drank, you know they're getting the right nutrition, and your boobs are yours again! 🤣

WandaWonder · 08/12/2023 02:20

No idea, I FF from birth and my teenager is turning out ok

flowerchild2000 · 08/12/2023 02:36

It's not, it's absolutely amazing we live in a time where our babies can thrive without the boobies. You can't tell the difference between a breastfed child or formula fed. When I had my baby last year we were in a formula shortage (in the US) because there was an e.coli outbreak or something and the factories shut down. I was so scared I wouldn't be able to breastfeed because there was no alternative. New mothers just after giving birth, using tracking groups on social media, driving across the state multiple times a week, paying exorbitant prices just to get a few cans of formula, and there was no choosing the brand or type. It was mainly meeting in parking lots buying them from resellers, black market style but mothers- anyone on benefits couldn't use them for cash transactions. I had an emergency c-section and I'm single so that would have been insane to deal with. Luckily I was able and I learned then how valuable and precious formula is! You're allowed to feel any way you feel, and it's ok to be (eventually) happy for formula. I'm sure you'll find more appreciation later. It might help your hormones because breastfeeding can prolong PND and other issues. Sleep too- formula babies settle longer at night. Congrats by the way! 💐💜

flowerchild2000 · 08/12/2023 02:37

Laserbeam24 · 08/12/2023 02:18

I didn't produce any milk either! Formula is NOT bad, despite what you're taught.

I was dead set I wanted to breastfeed, but I actually find bottle feeding so much easier. You know exactly how much they've drank, you know they're getting the right nutrition, and your boobs are yours again! 🤣

100% this, perfectly said.

Absc · 08/12/2023 02:42

Hospital grade pump such as spectra and you need to pump 8 times within 24 hrs including a middle of the night pump.

power pumping also can help where you pump 20 mins then stop for 10 then pump for 10 then stop again for 10 mins then pump 10.

Original poster
orangeguy · 08/12/2023 02:45

Absc · 08/12/2023 02:42

Hospital grade pump such as spectra and you need to pump 8 times within 24 hrs including a middle of the night pump.

power pumping also can help where you pump 20 mins then stop for 10 then pump for 10 then stop again for 10 mins then pump 10.

I have a medeia double pump

OP posts:
Original poster
orangeguy · 08/12/2023 02:46

flowerchild2000 · 08/12/2023 02:36

It's not, it's absolutely amazing we live in a time where our babies can thrive without the boobies. You can't tell the difference between a breastfed child or formula fed. When I had my baby last year we were in a formula shortage (in the US) because there was an e.coli outbreak or something and the factories shut down. I was so scared I wouldn't be able to breastfeed because there was no alternative. New mothers just after giving birth, using tracking groups on social media, driving across the state multiple times a week, paying exorbitant prices just to get a few cans of formula, and there was no choosing the brand or type. It was mainly meeting in parking lots buying them from resellers, black market style but mothers- anyone on benefits couldn't use them for cash transactions. I had an emergency c-section and I'm single so that would have been insane to deal with. Luckily I was able and I learned then how valuable and precious formula is! You're allowed to feel any way you feel, and it's ok to be (eventually) happy for formula. I'm sure you'll find more appreciation later. It might help your hormones because breastfeeding can prolong PND and other issues. Sleep too- formula babies settle longer at night. Congrats by the way! 💐💜

Edited

I've been told BF helps PND

OP posts:
fridaynight1 · 08/12/2023 02:48

orangeguy · 08/12/2023 00:25

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

It isn’t.

DaizenShine · 08/12/2023 02:52

Hi! I formula feed my 5 month old. I couldn't bare the thought of breastfeeding I'm not sure why. I felt pretty guilty about it and done a lot of research. There are obviously sooo many benefits to BF, however studies show (amongst other things) that formula fed babies smile more and sleep better. My baby is a good weight and healthy, smiles all day long, rarely cries and has slept through the night since 5 weeks old. This is a massive help to PND (as you mentioned your worries above). I hope this reply doesn't seem like I'm downplaying breast feeding, just wanted to highlight the good of formula too.

thebestinterest · 08/12/2023 02:54

Personally I’d prefer human milk for my baby 100% over formula, but I know the cost makes this impossible for many.

Formula is okay. Nothing great… but many have been raised on it. Many doing fine?

OP, if you don’t mind me asking…. why can’t you bf?

Restingpotato · 08/12/2023 02:58

Your baby is only 10 days old and you are both learning a new skill, breastfeeding can be difficult! Do they latch on at all? Have you tried lying down on your side to feed? You can use a rolled up muslin under the breast to get it to the right position for baby. Id get in contact with the infant feeding team at your hospital or your midwife tomorrow but for now if baby is hungry put them to the breast, then give them the expressed milk and then some ready made formula if you have it and try to get some sleep! Formula is not bad and you are not a bad mum for using it.

thebestinterest · 08/12/2023 03:02

orangeguy · 08/12/2023 00:33

I want to pump and formula.

Show quote history

If you pump and supplement with formula your milk is 100% going to dry up.

Pumping gives you an over supply, which can be detrimental. Many women who pump end up stopping bf because of the over supply! And formula, well… fills your baby so your body doesn’t ge the signal to make milk.

My lactation consultant warned me not to pump if I wanted to successfully bf. She also warned me against using pacifiers/dummy’s.

If you want to establish a healthy bf relationship, offer your baby breast only, unless you don’t have breasts?

thebestinterest · 08/12/2023 03:04

DaizenShine · 08/12/2023 02:52

Hi! I formula feed my 5 month old. I couldn't bare the thought of breastfeeding I'm not sure why. I felt pretty guilty about it and done a lot of research. There are obviously sooo many benefits to BF, however studies show (amongst other things) that formula fed babies smile more and sleep better. My baby is a good weight and healthy, smiles all day long, rarely cries and has slept through the night since 5 weeks old. This is a massive help to PND (as you mentioned your worries above). I hope this reply doesn't seem like I'm downplaying breast feeding, just wanted to highlight the good of formula too.

What a crock of shit 😂 let me guess… research sponsored by Abbott & Abbott?

Original poster
orangeguy · 08/12/2023 03:04

@thebestinterest he hasn't ever fed and this is the supply I'm getting. I think your advise isn't correct.

How bad is Formula?
OP posts:
thebestinterest · 08/12/2023 03:05

orangeguy · 08/12/2023 03:04

@thebestinterest he hasn't ever fed and this is the supply I'm getting. I think your advise isn't correct.

That’s plenty for a 10 day old!

Original poster
orangeguy · 08/12/2023 03:06

Restingpotato · 08/12/2023 02:58

Your baby is only 10 days old and you are both learning a new skill, breastfeeding can be difficult! Do they latch on at all? Have you tried lying down on your side to feed? You can use a rolled up muslin under the breast to get it to the right position for baby. Id get in contact with the infant feeding team at your hospital or your midwife tomorrow but for now if baby is hungry put them to the breast, then give them the expressed milk and then some ready made formula if you have it and try to get some sleep! Formula is not bad and you are not a bad mum for using it.

Thanks. My routine is nappy, try the breast and than formula. He will suck but I don't think the nipple is correct. I also can't hold him for very long. I've got really big breasts and baby is already fighting for space.

OP posts:
DaizenShine · 08/12/2023 03:08

@thebestinterest I'm not here to educate you 😂

MercurialMargot · 08/12/2023 03:11

Congratulations ❤️

Get yourself to a breastfeeding group.

Formula is not evil and babies thrive on it.

It was hugely important to me to breastfeed (couldn't tell you why it just was) and I had huge supply issues, it impacted on my mental health. I went to a group local to us and helpful volunteers gave me the advice I needed to successfully combi feed my baby. Plus being around other new bewildered mothers is always a bit reassuring!

Best of luck with it but whatever happens remember that you being ok is far more important to that baby than the type of milk they get.

Wrongsideofpennines · 08/12/2023 03:20

Congratulations on your new baby. These first few weeks is pretty hard going. Formula is not bad. It has saved countless lives an I will be forever grateful for its role in feeding my daughter.

However, you sound like you want to breastfeed and therefore I'm going to suggest you get some trained support in that. If your baby is attached and feeding well you will notice lots of rapid socks which then settle into a rhythm with shallows and pauses. You will see their ears and jaws waggling with it. Try watching the Global Health Media videos on good attachment. https://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/das-anlegen-des-babys-an-die-brust/
I found best positions in newborn phase were laid back/biological nursing and rugby ball hold. We then went to cross cradle and I still use that pretty much. We used cushions to prop baby up so my arms didn't ache. I also used nipple shields with one of mine. Get your midwife to check baby's latch. Call them to come and visit you in the morning.

If you're pumping then you need to be doing so every 2-3 hours like your baby would aswell as overnight. Power pumping in the evenings may also help. Make sure you have the right flange size for your nipple. Honestly this makes such a difference in how much you get. Hand expressing may also work for you. The hospital may also hire hospital grade pumps which are so much better. They have different settings for simulating let down etc.

Relax about using formula to top up. Lots of skin to skin, especially while pumping to build your milk supply. Try oats and fenugreek supplements if you want. But get some Face to Face support. From a professional like midwife or Health Visitor or something like La Leche League or a local breastfeeding charity.

Attaching Your Baby at the Breast

Attaching Your Baby at the Breast - Video - Global Health Media Project

Good attachment will help a baby get more milk and make breastfeeding more comfortable. This video shows why good attachment is so important to breastfeeding

https://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/das-anlegen-des-babys-an-die-brust

Ohthatsfabulousdarling · 08/12/2023 03:21

Babies apparently require a lot less breast milk than formula, I think it's supposed to be because of the density of minerals.

I never made enough milk for either of mine
I power pumped foe 6 hours in one day and managed 4oz of milk total. It was hell. I went through 3 different breast pumps, I went on domperidome- in fact I think that's how I managed as much as the 4oz.
I had help from the NHS and privately. The private breastfeeding consultant was pretty much the last ditch attempt and she told me all of the reasons why I was struggling and I finished soon after.
I have PCOS which affects the amount of milk you can make sometimes, and despite having big boobs, I have a very small amount of actual breast tissue and my nappies are in a placement that makes it hard for baby to latch..

So as I'm sure you can guess, my kids have had mostly formula, and it's been fine for them, they've both thrived beautifully.
If I didn't have formula, they wouldn't have.

There are all sorts of formula out there with dietary requirements in mind, so if you need dairy free, you can find it.

mrsdarthlord · 08/12/2023 03:41

First of all - congratulations on your little one! You’re doing amazing mama ❤️ I’m currently BFing my 12week old (literally as writing this post!). I know 8 other moms with babies similar age as mine and ALL of them had some issues with BF. All spoke to the lactation consultant, some still BF, some don’t, all babies are absolutely fine and happy.

I remember when the baby was so tiny, I was so hormonal and felt like an emotional wreck. It will get better, hang in there ❤️

I have a Medela as well and with now established supply and a hungry 3 month old I can barley pump 120ml (and my baby needs some much more food than your tiny baby!). What makes a massive difference for me is to feed the baby on one breast, get the ‘oxicitocin’ rush (the funny pin and niddles feeling but I started having it later) and then pump. Without it sometimes I can’t even get 50ml and it’s soul destroying.

also, what decreased the risk of PND is a mummy that’s not constantly stressed about BF! Formula is a absolutely fine, take care of yourself, you’ve just had a new tiny human, be kind to yourself ❤️

if you need to talk, I’m always there, you can always PM me.