Anyone have advice on breastfeeding vs bottle feeding? Im unsure!

Denise - posted on 03/02/2010

I breastfeed my daughter for 18 mths and it was amazing! I loved it! In my opinion it takes less time to pull out your boob than to make a bottle! And it is wonderful for bonding and keeping your baby healthy! I dunno it kind of made me feel empowered that I was her life line and that I was giving her the optimal nutrition she needed. Even if you pump and feed ....you know breast is best ( well that is as long as you eat right and don't drink all the time or do drugs). I think some moms just don't have enough support to feel like they can even do it! It gets easy after you get the hang of it. And there are breast feeding support groups out there that are free to go to, talk to moms that have had the same challenges! Good luck to all you ladies and breastfeeding! You all CAN DO IT!

Trish - posted on 03/01/2010

wel alot of these others mums have answered very well and I agree. I wont sit here and lecture you coz obviously you realise Breast is best... I only managed 3 months with both my 2 so far but I am hoping for more with this one. When it comes to it, you will know what is right for you when the time comes and yes Breastfeeding does hurta bit til your nipples and breast adjust. But honestly no more than when your breasts are changing or when your milk comes in. (Unless of course you get cracked nipples or mastitis) Huni, you can only do what you can do and in the end as long as your baby is being fed enough, bottle or breast will do! Be comfortable with what you choose and dont worry about anyone else :) I wish someone had told me the same and I wouldnt have pushed myself to the point I did :)

Samantha - posted on 03/01/2010

I think that Breast is Best! But that is also my own opinion. I thought that having a boy and breastfeeding was going to be strange but it wasn't. And it was so much easier to pop out a boob and let him nurse than lugging bottles and formula around. There are so many good points to breastfeeding and its so healthy. But atleast try it while your in the hospital since they have lactation consultants to help you with questions and concerns. Its sometimes easier for some women then others. My younger sister and myself were able to breast feed but our older sister wasn't able to, she pumped instead for two weeks and then bottle fed her kids formula.

Laurie - posted on 03/01/2010

I was also worried that it would feel strange or weird when I had my daughter, but to my surprise it wasn't at all. It just feels natural. They eat so much at the beginning that you'll quickly be right into it and feel like it's something you've always done. There may be some pain at the beginning. I had a bit of pain, even though I was doing it right and they always say there shouldn't be any if you're doing it right, but it went away after a little while and it wasn't anything I couldn't handle after the labour. It is much easier then having to make bottles, sterilize and all that. I highly recommend it - just stick with it and it get easier.

Rebecca - posted on 03/01/2010

hi im rebecca im 31 years old and i have 5 children and another 1 on the way.My first 3 children was bottle fed, then when i was pregnant with my fourth child i decided to give breastfeeding a go.To my suprise it was a lot easier than bottle feeding no bottles to make and i wished i had done it with my first 3 children, when your baby is born the midwife will help you so dont worry and its not painfull it feels nice to be close to your baby.It can feel uncomfortable if the baby is not latched on properly but i would recommend breastfeeding to any mum to be.You can also buy a brest pump to express your milk so you can feed your baby with a bottle which i found usefull if i was out and about or if my partner wanted to feed the baby,well i hope my advice was a bit usefull please feel free to contact me if iv missed any thing out or if theres anything else you would like to know many thanks take care.

Ashley - posted on 02/28/2010

i agree with breast is best. but you should do whatever you feel most comfortable. but I do encourage you to try! it may make you sore at first, but dont give up! and you might want to wait to pump milk until you and your baby have a routine breastfeeding schedule and your both used to it! and if you decide you dont want to bottle feed, dont worry about other people asking to feed your baby, your body is made so that only you can do it! good luck and happy feeding!!

Lauren - posted on 02/28/2010

I kind of feel the same way mainly because I am younger and not so keen on breastfeeding out in public or anything like that.....I am actually more often than not going to pump because I work full time and it is easier that way. The reason why I am choosing to breast feed is because of money, for us it really isn't an option for me to buy formula especially since it is super expensive for a tin and they go through it fast! One of my friends has a 9 month old and she wishes she could have breastfed longer (her breasts just all of a sudden dried up) because the amount of money they spend is ridiculous and with that on top of everything else it is really stressful for them with all the money spent on those things. Anyways long story short it is supposedly healthier for the baby, helps prevent breast cancer, and saves you tons of money even if you just do it for a couple of months.

Sarah - posted on 02/28/2010

With my 1st i was determined to breast feed for at least 6 months. The 1st few feeds were great and then i started getting sore nipples and it was very painful for me. My son used me as a soother as well, which made me even more sore. I was crying every time he fed. I had loads of support from midwives and family but i still felt a failure because it hurt me so much. I breast fed for 1 month but i had to stop because i started feeling depressed. I had tried pumping as well but found this very time consuming and like i always had my boobs out pumping or feeding. After i swapped from breast to formula, i felt guilty and such a failure. My son was happy and content on both breast and formula, it was just me. I found it difficult and i didn't get told how painful it could be. I never imagined it would be as painful as it was. Don't let that put you off though because every woman is different.

With my second, the 1st thing i thought about was how i was going to feed her. I wanted to breast feed as i had given my son 1 month of breast and i didn't want her missing out on what my son had. But on the other hand, i didn't want to risk feeling how i did with my son. It took me ages to decide. My husband wants me to breastfeed but has said it's my decision and he'll support me whatever my decision. I finally spoke to my midwife about how i was feeling. She told me i had set my hopes so high with my son and that's one of the reasons why i felt a failure. She said why not take it one feed at a time and just see how you feel during and after each feed.

I've decided to do exactly that. I'm going to breast feed for the first feed and see how i feel afterwards because that way, if i don't feel comfortable or it's too sore, i won't feel such a failure as my goal hasn't been set as high and i would have acheived my goal.



The decision is entirely yours and no-one should tell you what to do. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing. My son was fine on breast and fine on formula. He was a sicky baby on both but that was just him. I'm sure your baby will be fine on either breast of formula ! Hope you decide soon as i know how frustrating it is being so undecided !



Wish you all the best with your little bundle of joy, i'm still waiting for mine, 2 days overdue :(

Jen - posted on 02/27/2010

At the very least, I would recomend at least trying to breast feed. If it doesn't work for you, then don't do it. If you feel more comfortable pumping and feeding from a bottle, that's still great because breast milk is much more nutritionally complete than formula is for a baby. Docs recommend at least giving your baby breast milk for the first few weeks but to keep on as long as you can. Breast fed babies have much fewer stomach and bowel issues than formula fed ones and their immune systems are stronger as well.

Alyssa - posted on 02/27/2010

i had a lot of the same concerns too (will it feel weird, etc), but we've been nursing for almost 9 mos, & i wouldn't trade it for anything! the weirdness was gone almost immediately, & once we got a little extra help with latching correctly, it never hurt. check out la leche league for support & help. my best friend is a former leaguer & breastfeeder who pretty much saved me those first few weeks!

bonuses of breastfeeding? baby gets all of your immunities through your milk. it's waaaaay cheaper. breastfed babies, on average, score 7 pts higher on iq tests. breastfed babies exhibit a greater sense of security as they age & also tend to have fewer weight issues. not to mention how adorable they are when they fall asleep mid-feeding or how incredible the bonding time is.

as for pumping, if possible, avoid pumping the first1-2 months. baby is the most effective pump for bringing your milk in. if you can do boob only (& want to), it's the way to go. btw, my lactation consultant at the hospital was terrible!!! that's why i recommend a support group of some kind. even if your consultant is great, you can't take her home with you. friends, on the other hand, will be there in a heartbeat.

oh, one last thing...for the first 3 wks, i really, really, really wanted to quit. i only stuck with it b/c i wanted to give my baby that advantage. & i'm stubborn, too. lol don't feel bad if you want to quit or ultimately do quit. i personally think mommy's milk is best, but i think every mother knows what her child needs. you'll do great!!!

Rebecca - posted on 02/27/2010

I did both. I breastfed all through the day and gave my little boy one bottle before he went to bed and he slept so well. Why we started doing this was because he was jaundice in hospital so he wasnt drinking properly and the nurses gave him the odd bottle which helped. When we first came home i was so emotional (i needed an emergency c-section) and baby was crying all the time and this way my husband and mum could feed him and he would get a good night sleep and so would i. From 7 weeks he slept from 10pm to 5:30am without waking. He is now 6 months and i am solely bottle feeding (i started doing this from 6 months) as my son has 2 teeth and thinks breastfeeding is a game and would constantly bite and pull off me (with my boob in his mouth..ouch). Either way i know you will make the right decision for you and your baby. Just dont let anyone pressure you into breastfeeding if you are not comfortable and will get depressed over it. Good luck

Bonnie - posted on 02/26/2010

You will know once your bub arrives which suits you better.

Kara - posted on 02/26/2010

Hi Tiffany, i'm also 30 weeks with my first! I anticipate attempting to breast feed (with no expectations of it working out perfectly/long term) and just seeing what works.

Francinne - posted on 02/25/2010

I felt exactly the same way about it before I had my Mason, But I did try breastfeeding I said I was going to do at least 3 weeks, then I said three months, now he is 4 and a half months and My milk is kinda not in as great of supply as it was and I was so upset that my milk could be drying up.
What I thought would be weird has become something I dont want to give up easily, its a special thing and emotional bond is formed. Mason also has bottle feeds now and I always feel sad when he has to have a bottle.
I tried expressing too but that ended up more work and more painful and took way more time due to sterilising bottles and everything.

Try Breast feeding, But if its not for you dont feel Bad as long as your baby is eating well and healthy. It doesnt matter. :):) Good luck

Erica - posted on 02/25/2010

The honest truth (for me anyway) is that it did feel weird, about 3 seconds later I got over it. Then it hurt for a few days and then I got over that. Breastfeeding for me was wonderful. No bottles to prepare, wash, heat... no formula to buy! I hope you'll give it a shot but don't feel guilty if it doesn't work out for you and your baby! Good luck!

Melinda - posted on 02/25/2010

I think the simple answer is if you aren't sure if it will feel uncomfortable but you want your child to have breastmilk, you might as well try it at least once just to see what it is like. You never know if maybe you will end up loving breastfeeding. I have this rule that you have to try everything twice (since sometimes the first time doesn't go as planned).

Just know that if you exclusively pump your breast milk, it will be very time consuming since you will have to pump when your breasts get full and begin to hurt, and that could be all the time! It might be more work to always pump then to once in a while let your baby do the pumping.

Amy - posted on 02/25/2010

It's a personal choice, and depending on your situation, one may just be easier for you.

1) Formula is more expensive, even if you take into account all the pumping supplies you'll buy.
2) Formula is much easier and less time consuming if your pumping. If your just breastfeeding then often time's it's easier to just hook bub to the boob and be done with it, no getting the bottle ready, etc.
3) They say breast milk is best as far as food goes. Formula isn't bad, but breast milk is better for the baby than formula.
4) If you get to the point where your stressing over breastfeeding, etc, it's fine to quit. You need a healthy happy mom to provide for your baby. Don't be upset or let others yell at you for using formula.
5) with breastfeeding, the first 3 months are the most important, if you can't keep your supply up you have a high chance of not being able to get your supply back up if you get sick later down the road.

In saying that. You mention that you want to pump, I really suggest for the first bit to feed from the boob to start with, then switch to pumping. You can get a better supply up it will help. Also being able to breastfeed at night is nice compared to trying to get bottles ready (unless your sleeping in, in which case for the first 3-6 months you'll need to wake up to pump anyway).

I pumped exclusively for several months, it's hard work but it can be done! And the better your supply is the first three months, the easier it is! You will want to double pump to save time an help increase your supply.

Also, if your going to breastfeed, talk to your dr about birth control and make sure that it won't effect your supply. My dr put me on the regular pill and it killed my supply (during the first three months), so it was hard for me to get back to where I was. My dr swore it didn't cause my decrease, but talking to lactation consultants, it did.

Also, what some mom's do is breast feed and pump lots of extra milk, and stop at 6 months but have 6 months worth of milk in the freezer.

There's nothing wrong with doing both either. My son got both for about two months before I hung up the horns!

Good luck, and if anyone has any questions about pumping, feel free to ask me, I've been through it all! I also talked to a lot of mom's who pumped exclusively because there babies had clef and couldn't nurse.

Natalie - posted on 02/25/2010

I agree with the others. You should at least give it a try at the hospital. The first few weeks are the most important so if you then decide to formula feed it's all good.
I did that with both of my kids. I tried breastfeeding at the hospital and although i had a consultant there with me i had major issues.... i got so sore it hurt so bad and i was crying all day b/c i felt so bad. I was close to a depression and i had a talk with my husband and we decided to then (this was with my 1st) give our son formula and i would pump as often as i could. I pumped for about 2 months until i had no more milk and then it was strictly formula.
With my 2nd i said i was gonna try it again but we had the same problems... i then started pumping when i was home and substituting with formula and when my nipples were healed i breastfed her again for a little while but she didn't do it for long, she liked the bottles better, but i still pumped and gave her as much of the good stuff that i could.
I'm now pregnant with my 3rd and i am planning to breastfeed for the first few months but i am not beating myself up over it if i can't handle it.
Also, i got nipple shields from babies'r'us. They can help you help the baby latch on at the beginning. I will use those to help me this time and i hope it will work out the way i want it to.

Either way, it's your decision what you do. I was bottle fed and hardly ever even have a cold and i have no allergies... same with my brother and sister....
But at least give it a try and see if it works for you. Breastfeeding is really not for every mother and child and don't ever let anyone tell you crap for choosing to formula feed.

Ashleigh - posted on 02/25/2010

You should at least try breastfeeding, even if it doesn't work out. I think the biggest problem is that they tell you it wont hurt, it wont be uncomfortable etc. which is untrue. It will hurt (im not saying huge amounts of pain), but it will get better. You have to remember it is something that you have never done before, so of course it is going to take some practice! Pumping and then bottle feeding sometimes works, but you may not be able to produce enough milk for the baby. I wanted to stop breastfeeding, but once I got past the one month mark, it was great!!

Megan - posted on 02/25/2010

My personal opinion is that breastfeeding is better, there are so many things that your child can receive from breast milk that they can't from formula. One of the biggest medical reasons for me is that the breast milk continues to help build their immune system. But another reason for me is that it is a special bonding moment for you and baby. Anyone can give your baby a bottle, but only you can give them your breast milk.

I would suggest trying to breastfeed, the hospital should have a lactation consultant that you can talk to and she can also show you different positions. Most first time moms get a little apprehensive about breast feeding and end up worrying yourself to the point to being too stressed to even try. There are classes you can take, and lots of resources online that can help.

Cecelia - posted on 02/24/2010

I don't have a strong opinion either way.....I bottle fed my son (formula) and breastfed my daughter. Both kids are extremely healthy and I found positives with both types of feeding.

Using formula and bottle feeding my son came when I found breastfeeding too painful and awkward. It just didn't work. The truth was that it was alot more difficult than I anticipated...I simply wasn't prepared. I never allowed myself to feel guilty and believe that anyone who chooses this option should never feel that they are doing something wrong...Honestly we have enough to worry about when we bring our babies home. Having said that.....bottle feeding allowed me to give feeding responsibilities to my husband. He really appreciated the chance to have that bonding time. Another benefit was the ability to feed my baby in public without showing my ladies to strangers.

Breastfeeding was great too for other reasons. My daughter could easily digest my milk and I didn't have to worry about getting the right kind of formula...which brinngs me to another positive. Formula is very expensive! I also notices that her bowel movements were alot less offensive smelling that my formula fed sons were.

The bottom line is that you should do what works best for you and your baby :)

Sammi - posted on 02/24/2010

thanks tiffany... I was going to ask the same thing. im scared!