Changing From breast to bottle and the pressure from people

Heather - posted on 07/16/2010

my son was born on the 21st...he was in the NICU for a week, so i had to pump initially. when we came home, i would bf and bottle feed him prior pumped breastmilk. when i started taking BC pills, for some reason it almost completely dried my milk up. my son would no longer BF, so i was forced to pump and feed him through the bottle. Unfortunately, I was only able to pump b/t 1/2-1oz total...so i supplemented the rest with formula. I had a really hard time trying to decide if i was going to continue BARELY pumping and giving him something rather than nothing, or if I was going to just switch to formula all together. between all the support from friends and family, my pediatrition and a few lactation consultants, the most consistant piece of advice was "do whatever is going to be less stressful for you". as soon as i decided to stop pumping, it was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. my suggestion to you would be to do what you feel is going to be best for you...if this is what you want to do, than do it ! some ppl aren't able to BF at all. Good luck !!

Amanda - posted on 07/11/2010

I wished that i was able to ween my daughter off the breast but she had to switch all of a sudden because i was admitted in the hospital because of galstones.. I was told that i couldnt breastfeed her because of the medicine i was one and i couldnt keep my supply with pumping.. After I was out of the hospital and off the medications i tried breastfeeding her again and she pushed me away.. I felt rejected the first time.. but i still get to giver her all the love she needs.. Just remember that wat ever you decide to do you baby will get all the nutrition she need and you will still love her no matter wat.

Jo-Anne - posted on 07/04/2010

Ethan born 7th Feb moved onto bottles about two weeks ago. I suffered guilt and little sadness but he is his normal happy self and doing well and I figure whats most important is doing what works for us ***hugs***

Kelly - posted on 07/03/2010

I transitioned my daughter to bottles around two months because she started losing interest in breast feeding. I felt sad about losing that bond with her, but it was her choice which made me feel a little better. I still pumped so she was eating breast milk, but now I don't produce enough so I've switched her to formula and she seems to be fine with it.
Most babies she goes to daycare with are on formula and I know very few people who breast feed, probably because it doesn't suit their lifestyles if they are working moms. I also heard recently that the average mother only breastfeeds their baby for five months. Don't get discouraged, just remember that your baby is getting enough to eat whatever method you are using to feed her. You are doing what is best for everyone.