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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Anyone planning to bottle feed?

34 replies

messylittlemonkey · 04/01/2010 17:24

Hi there

Just looking for some feedback about bottle v breast.

I bottle fed my DD who is now four. I had intended to breast feed, but she was ill at birth and had to spend time on SCBU. By the time she was returned to me a few days later, my milk wouldn't come and she was starving! Anyway, bottle feeding worked fine with her.

I'm now 28 weeks with DC2 and trying to decide what to do re feeding. I have friends who are currently breast feeding their babies and they seem to be feeding constantly! It seems much harder to have any routine with breast feeding.

I know the midwives will try to bully me into breast feeding, but I'm really not sure I want to. Then I think 'am I being selfish'? All I know is that I don't want to be tied to feeding all day. I have my older child to think of plus I think I might go a bit mad with constantly feeding!

Any thoughts?
MLM

OP posts:

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SoleLundyFastnet · 04/01/2010 17:28

It can be pretty intense but it's not for long and the benefits of breastfeeding could last you and your child a lifetime.

Also much more convenient than bottlefeeding

Original poster

messylittlemonkey · 04/01/2010 17:32

Thanks for that.

It's funny though, people talk about the benefits of breast feeding health wise, but I've found that my DD is very healthy. Rarely sick, no allergies, lots of energy and vitality.

Part of me feels that she really benefitted from the routine that bottle feeding allows and one of my worries about breast feeding is that the routine is harder to establish and maintain.

I think I may try and breat feed for a few weeks (in a better then nothing way) and then move to bottles.

OP posts:

Intergalactic · 04/01/2010 17:32

You could give it a try and see how you get on? It sounds like you won't have any big guilt if you do end up FF, so you might as well try BF without putting pressure on yourself. Some babies do feed a lot (mine fed every two hours in the daytime until he was about 4 months and I didn't leave him for more than a couple of hours until around 10 months) but not all babies are like that. You might find that yours feeds less often. And if not, if you start BF you might be able to mixed feed if it's too much - obviously you won't have this option if you FF from the start.

compo · 04/01/2010 17:34

good idea to try it

you might find you love it

and if you don't there is always an alternative

good luck and congrats

RockBird · 04/01/2010 17:35

In my experience, the MWs were only too keen to bully me into bottle feeding. Really, the easiest and most sensible thing is to see how it goes. Set out to bf and if it goes well then great, if not then think again, just don't make any concrete decisions before you have to (from a bottle feeder btw)

Good luck

bigpreggybelly · 04/01/2010 17:41

Yes, for the sake of your baby you should at least try to do it for the first few weeks.

You only have to surf the internet to see what the benefits are, which I'm sure you are aware of.

It'll be quicker than making up bottles anyway.

bigpreggybelly · 04/01/2010 17:42

breast feed I mean

mummydarlingsausage · 04/01/2010 17:45

it is possible to have a routine with breast feeding - i had a good routine with both my dc's - i know it can be different with each child though but wanted to let you know they don't have to be on the breast constantly. i made sure they didn't use the nipple for comfort - i know some of my friends have done this (not saying that it's wrong btw - just not what i wanted) good luck whichever way you go

mazzystartled · 04/01/2010 17:45

I am planning to take it one day at a time

I didn't enjoy breastfeeding with either DS or DD. I managed 4 and 3 months respectively. I don't expect to enjoy it this time either, but will give it a try.

detoxdiva · 04/01/2010 17:46

I have a 17 week old ds and a 4you dd - I too was worried about 'mamaging' to bf my son with a demanding dd around - and not having the luxury of time on my side like I did with her.

However, I would second the advice of giving it a go...the first few days is physically and emotionally draining as yes, all you do is feed, feed and feed some more, day and night to get your milk to com in, but it is not hard at all to bf with a toddler around - Cbeebies is a wonderful thing and I found that dd got as many presents as ds when he was born, so we encouraged her to play with her special toys when I am feeding.

One of the lovliest moments has been feeding ds with dd sitting next to me watching a film and holding his hand

Good Luck - if it's something you want to do you will find a way to get into a routine eventually, and if it doesn't work out, there is an alternative

detoxdiva · 04/01/2010 17:48

managing even !

pooka · 04/01/2010 17:53

As others have said, worth trying because at least if you make a decision to breastfeed, and try, you still have the option later of bottlefeeding or mixed feeding. Doesn't really work the other way round if you have regrets.

FWIW my dd was 2.2 when ds1 was born, and the feeding was fine, honestly not a problem at all. And with regard to routine, he slotted into her routine IYSWIM - I mean, would sleep on way to pre-school. Would feed on return... that kind of thing.

DS2 is 4 months old, ds1 is 4 and dd is 6. And he has slotted since about 2 weeks old (i.e. when dh went back to work) into the school run/mealtime/day to day stuff routine. He feeds about every 3 hours ish now. But ds1, at 4, is perfectly happy when at home to potter about when I'm feeding, or watch tv. And he is at pre-school for 5 sessions a week as well - only just missed starting school this January (which I'm pleased about) - would otherwise have been at school for much of the day like dd.

CBHLM · 04/01/2010 17:54

Never known what the fuss is about. Could only bottle feed my daughter as we adopted her as a baby. She's now a fine, healthy and happy teenager. Bottle milk not poisonous, is perfectly OK and they do get cuddled while feeding. All that pressure not good for those who, for whatever reason, can't or don't want to breastfeed. Take advice by all means, but relax, and do what is most comfortable for you and your family.

MunchMummy · 04/01/2010 17:59

I bottle fed both my DDs with no problems.
I hate the thought of breast feeding, so it just wasn't going to happen for us.

Even at DD2s birth (emergency at home) I was drug free and had 2 midwives nagging me I stood my ground and said no way.

For some people the thought of breastfeeding is so awful it upsets them so much and theres nothing wrong with FF, despite all the pressure from external sources.

OtterInaSkoda · 04/01/2010 18:03

Mamaging - rather apt I think

Do BF babies really feed more than formula fed ones? I suppose it's easier to lift up your top than to make up a bottle - so if you BF you're more inclined to do little and often.

Agree with others though - at least give it a go, OP.

rubyslippers · 04/01/2010 18:03

it is actually in some ways easier to breastfeed with an older child as the boob is always there - no bottles to sterilise, feeds to prepare etc

DS is 3.5 years and DD 12 weeks and she has been exclusively breastfed

first 8 weeks were very full on in terms of feeding but it is no matter how you choose to feed

i take each day as it comes - DD does feed a lot - she is a little and often girl but at least i don't have to make any bottles

if you try, then you won't have lost anything

cece · 04/01/2010 18:03

Isn't it odd. I think ff looks like hard work and that bf is for the lazy people! Funny how people's perceptions can be so different.

MichC · 04/01/2010 18:05

I am 29 weeks with dc2 and I to have been having the same dilemma. I BF DS1 for 6 weeks and hated every minute. It was painful, and he wanted to feed every hour. I know BF is supposed to be better but the thought scares the life out of me.
I had big boobs before DS and found that this is a major obsticle when BF. I found it difficult to position DS without squashing him with the spare boob!!

On a more selfish note, I liked the independence that bottle feeding gave me. DH could help and I could escape for more than 30 minutes at a time!!

I am heading for bottle feeding this time but then again, can never say never!

OtterInaSkoda · 04/01/2010 18:08

Mumch why did you hate the idea?

LadyintheRadiator · 04/01/2010 18:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

peanutpie · 04/01/2010 19:29

I am only 10 weeks but I already feel a bit anxious about this issue.

I bottle fed my first son after a few days and I was very happy with how it went. In fact it was a massive relief when I switched to bottles.

I feel like I should want to breastfeed but, truthfully, I don't really have much desire to so.

However, I will start breastfeeding and see how it goes. I think I wouldn't feel comfortable about not trying to do it at all.

Can you talk to people about this in real life? I find it difficult as all my friends are breastfeeders or have felt strongly that they wanted to be. I feel like a bit of an oddity as I am not really keen at all.

mama2moo · 04/01/2010 19:42

I bottle fed my dd (now 18mo), like yours she has never really been ill. I chose to do that because at the time breast feeding wasnt for me, just didnt want to do it. The midwives were all great about it. I dont regret it all.

Im now 36 weeks pg with dc2 and this time want to give it a go. I know its going to be hard but if I really struggle I dont have a problem with switching to bottles again.

At the end of the day so long as your baby gets food thats all that matters. Good luck

nickytwotimes · 04/01/2010 19:48

I'd a nightmare of a time bfing ds and switched to bottles at about 2 weeks due to no support, agonisingly sore nipples, etc, etc.

I will be giving it a go with this one though. Even a few days gives them a kick-start. You never know - you might be a natural! It saves a fortune, which for me is the main incentive. My kid will be fine either way - I want to do it for ME though, my own pride. And the hope that it'll work out this time.

Give it a couple of days and see how you go. Formula is there for a back up if you wnat it.

Oh, and I do know people who have managed a routine with breast feeding. And in the first month, neither bfing nor ffing give you a routine.

midori1999 · 04/01/2010 19:56

There is no debating that BF is best for babies, no matter what each persons personal experience is. I breast fed my first two for tena nd three days respectivel;y, then decided it wasn't working out for me and changed to bottle. They were both big babies and I did feel like I was feeding them constantly. I felt like I and they were happier with FF.

With DS3 I was determined to BF and really give it a go. He was born with Downs Syndrome, which made me more determined. However, sadly he wouldn't/couldn't latch on, so I fed expressed breast milk for three weeks until my milk dried up. I felt very disappointed.

Now pregnant with DC4, I am intending to BF, but am also open to the fact that it might not work out that way. The way I see it, even if I BF for the first few days, that will do my child a lot of good and is better than nothing.

Like others have said, FF isn't poisoning your baby, and it is your choice, you have a right not to be bullied, but maybe it's worth giving it a go if you think you can?

WoTmania · 04/01/2010 20:07

Peanutpie - you could phone one of the BF helplines (LLL,NCT,ABM) they are (WO)manned by BF counsellors who are trained to listen and help.
it might just help to chat about your previous experience and to work out how you feel.

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