Breast Or Formula? And Where Are You From?

Katja - posted on 05/23/2009

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formula, australia

Amanda - posted on 05/19/2009

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formula -- Virginia

Heidi-Anne - posted on 05/19/2009

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SOY Formula Only .... Ontario CA

Toni - posted on 05/16/2009

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Breastfeeding I did add rice ceral to bottle about 4 weeks ago when she was 3 monthes at night and now she get a bowl of oatmeal for lunch time and a rice ceral bottle before bed time. I am in Ann Arbor MI

Ashleigh - posted on 05/15/2009

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Exclusively brest feeding in Havelock NC!

Melissa - posted on 05/15/2009

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my baby started on breast but didn't take to it well and soon went to formula

england :)

Renee - posted on 05/14/2009

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Exclusively breast - Brisbane, Australia

Janelle - posted on 05/14/2009

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Exclusively breastfed through 4 bouts of mastitis that resulted in abcsess and surgery and I am still able to feed from that side despite! I am sooooo glad I persevered. Omaha, Nebraska

Mandy - posted on 05/14/2009

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Exclusivley formula fed. I can't breastfeed due to nipple issues (That looks really weird when you write out). Anyway, I am from Rockland, Ontario, Canada :)

Brooke - posted on 05/13/2009

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I breastfed exclusively for the first 8 weeks, unfortunately my milk supply started decreasing slowly to the point where i would feed bubs from both breasts then have to give her another 50-100mL in a bottle. She was blossoming while i was feeding her but now she is 3 1/2 months and a tiny 11lb 15oz. Sydney, Australia.

Keri - posted on 05/07/2009

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Breastfeeding only in Silicon Valley, CA. Although it took several visits to lactation specialist to get it right. Just because it's natural doesn't make it easy!!

Katie - posted on 05/06/2009

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Breastfed for the first 2 months, now exclusively formula fed!

Ontario, Canada!

Laura - posted on 05/06/2009

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Similac (formula) and I'm from Avondale, AZ (Phoenix). My baby was too small and wasn't taking to breastfeeding. So formula it was!

Leah - posted on 05/06/2009

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Breastfeeding and he also gets cereal 2 times a day from Chicago!

Brenda - posted on 05/06/2009

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Quoting Dana:

Both. I don't make enough milk for exclusive breastfeeding unfortunately (and I've tried everything to get my production up). I use organic formula. Denver, Colorado

Hi Dana!

What kind of formula is organic (brand name) and where do you get it? As I said before I'm breastfeeding but I would like to have something on hand "just in case" for my hubby once I go back to work (he's taking the parental leave when I return) and we are all about the organic options!

Thanks for posting! I didn't even know there WAS organic formula out there! :D

Brenda

Brenda - posted on 05/06/2009

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Quoting Amy:

I exclusively breastfeed. I had a lot of problems getting started because of an inverted nipple and my other nipple has a skin tag on it that was extremely sensitive at first. It showed up when I first got pregnant and my doctor didn't want to remove it because of risk of infection. Well with the hormones of pregnancy it grew a little and now with her sucking I now have a crack immediately underneath that still won't heal. My doctor would rather not remove it untill I am done breastfeeding so I'm just going to have to suffer through because I plan to breastfeed as long as possible.
It was really tough at first and there were many times when I cried from the pain and nearly gave up but I'm happy that I stuck with it. I really understand why some people would go to formula. I took domperidone and luckily I didn't have to deal with problems with my supply on top of my other problems.
I am from BC Canada

Hi Amy!

When my 3 and 1/2 year old was about 2 months old she and I developed thrush. For her the white spots in her mouth didn't bug her at all but for me...YIKES! I developed cracks around the base of the nipple on both breasts! They soon became open wounds that hurt so bad when I nursed her that I would just sit there and cry. I suffered for 4 months like that! Then, after trying everything ever suggested to me I finally went to the doctor. My doctor suggested silicone breast shields. (They are soft silicone Madonna-wanna-be covers that go over your nipple, between you and baby...You get them from the pharmacy and they are pretty inexpensive...) I swear that they were the only thing that saved our breastfeeding experience! It took a few weeks after that but we got it under control and my nipples healed. Once that was over I decided that if I made it through that it would be a shame to quit breastfeeding now and I ended up breastfeeding for over 2 1/2 years. (Which was TOO long in our situation...she is now still obsessed with my breasts...don't know what to do about that one though...)

Anyways, try the shield! It is totally worth it! You won't regret it!

Good luck to you!

Brenda

Sharon - posted on 05/06/2009

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Exclusively formula fed. And no guilty feelings about my choice either. ;)

British Columbia Canada

Brenda - posted on 05/06/2009

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Currently exclusively breast feeding but looking so forward to adding cereal! (mommy is feeling much like a dairy cow....nursing every hour to hour and a half during the day but getting decent sleep at night...) I am in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada!

Jemma - posted on 05/06/2009

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cow and gate formula only

bormingham, england

Marji - posted on 05/05/2009

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Breast fed first baby then formula after 2 months old. 2nd baby did formula then switched to soy formula. New York

Aliya - posted on 05/05/2009

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Quoting Amy:

I exclusively breastfeed. I had a lot of problems getting started because of an inverted nipple and my other nipple has a skin tag on it that was extremely sensitive at first. It showed up when I first got pregnant and my doctor didn't want to remove it because of risk of infection. Well with the hormones of pregnancy it grew a little and now with her sucking I now have a crack immediately underneath that still won't heal. My doctor would rather not remove it untill I am done breastfeeding so I'm just going to have to suffer through because I plan to breastfeed as long as possible.
It was really tough at first and there were many times when I cried from the pain and nearly gave up but I'm happy that I stuck with it. I really understand why some people would go to formula. I took domperidone and luckily I didn't have to deal with problems with my supply on top of my other problems.
I am from BC Canada

Wow Amy. Thanks for this. Makes me realise my supply issue is not as bad as what some other moms are dealing with. I'm in Poco:)

Take care and good luck!

Charity - posted on 05/05/2009

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Formula feeding in Sacramento, CA

Shani - posted on 05/05/2009

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breast london england

Amy - posted on 05/04/2009

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I exclusively breastfeed. I had a lot of problems getting started because of an inverted nipple and my other nipple has a skin tag on it that was extremely sensitive at first. It showed up when I first got pregnant and my doctor didn't want to remove it because of risk of infection. Well with the hormones of pregnancy it grew a little and now with her sucking I now have a crack immediately underneath that still won't heal. My doctor would rather not remove it untill I am done breastfeeding so I'm just going to have to suffer through because I plan to breastfeed as long as possible.

It was really tough at first and there were many times when I cried from the pain and nearly gave up but I'm happy that I stuck with it. I really understand why some people would go to formula. I took domperidone and luckily I didn't have to deal with problems with my supply on top of my other problems.

I am from BC Canada

Krista - posted on 05/03/2009

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Exclusively breastfeed from Birdseye Indiana

Amanda - posted on 05/03/2009

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I struggled with brestfeeding for the first 2 months and switched to formula, but my girlie is thriving and it works for us. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Emily - posted on 05/03/2009

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Exclusively breastfed, and I'm still nursing my 22 month old daughter, who was also exclusively breastfed. Tandem nursing in Canada. :-)

Jessica - posted on 05/02/2009

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I breastfed/formula mix for the first 6 weeks. My baby was 5 weeks premature and had some problems with the suck, swall, breathe reflexes. So we finger fed during this time to get him to build up his sucking muscles. Once he mastered the sucking he would latch on and suck for up to 45 minutes at a time but would still be hungry. Even with pumping every 2-3 hours and taking all the recommended suppliments, it was not enough to keep my supply up. Between trying to breastfed, finger feeding, and pumping it just became too much. So we are now formula only. He had some allergies to Enfamil Lipil so we have switched to Soy and is doing great. Plus mom is a lot less stressed out!

Alena - posted on 05/02/2009

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Breastfed. BC, Canada.

Dibrianne - posted on 04/30/2009

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Both; Honolulu, Hawaii

Kimberley - posted on 04/29/2009

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Quoting Tanya:

My boy loves his breastmilk! Living in Cold Lake Alberta

Mine too...I'm living in Medicine Hat, Alberta(the other end of the province)

Kristen - posted on 04/29/2009

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Quoting Leslie:

Quoting Kristen:

Beau (my son) is my 18 pound 3 month, 3 week old son who is mainly breast fed. I am a working mother and some times it is not possible to get enough pumped at work to provide for him later, so he does get formula every so often from daddy or if I am uncomfortable to breast feed around others around a lot of people.

He started rice cereal a few days ago ... not sure how i feel about it yet ... not sure if it's too early? Every time I've fed him the cereal he eats like 1/2 then wines ... when Grandma (my mom) fed him the cereal, twice so far, he was fine and ate it all!? What's up with that? Today he ate 1/2 and wined, then he nursed and was fine ...

I am Kristen from Massachusetts (Worcester area)

Kristen,

I made the mistake of introducing solids too early at 4 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics now suggests that babies should recieve breastmilk exclusively until at least 6 months, whereas the old guideline was to start solids at 4-6 months. We successfully backed off and went fully to the breast again. There's a lot of pressure to start solids, but it's actually really beneficial to have a baby who only breastfeeds until he or she is able to sit up unaided and successfully able to self-feed (coordinate hands enough to grab and move objects to the mouth).

*shrug* Stand up to grandma, if you need to! ^__^

-Leslie

Thank you for the advice! And Grandma (my mom) is very supportive with every thing I do with baby!! So I am lucky my mom isn't pushy.

Leslie - posted on 04/29/2009

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Quoting Kristen:

Beau (my son) is my 18 pound 3 month, 3 week old son who is mainly breast fed. I am a working mother and some times it is not possible to get enough pumped at work to provide for him later, so he does get formula every so often from daddy or if I am uncomfortable to breast feed around others around a lot of people.

He started rice cereal a few days ago ... not sure how i feel about it yet ... not sure if it's too early? Every time I've fed him the cereal he eats like 1/2 then wines ... when Grandma (my mom) fed him the cereal, twice so far, he was fine and ate it all!? What's up with that? Today he ate 1/2 and wined, then he nursed and was fine ...

I am Kristen from Massachusetts (Worcester area)

Kristen,

I made the mistake of introducing solids too early at 4 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics now suggests that babies should recieve breastmilk exclusively until at least 6 months, whereas the old guideline was to start solids at 4-6 months. We successfully backed off and went fully to the breast again. There's a lot of pressure to start solids, but it's actually really beneficial to have a baby who only breastfeeds until he or she is able to sit up unaided and successfully able to self-feed (coordinate hands enough to grab and move objects to the mouth).

*shrug* Stand up to grandma, if you need to! ^__^

-Leslie

Leslie - posted on 04/29/2009

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Quoting Kristen:

Beau (my son) is my 18 pound 3 month, 3 week old son who is mainly breast fed. I am a working mother and some times it is not possible to get enough pumped at work to provide for him later, so he does get formula every so often from daddy or if I am uncomfortable to breast feed around others around a lot of people.

He started rice cereal a few days ago ... not sure how i feel about it yet ... not sure if it's too early? Every time I've fed him the cereal he eats like 1/2 then wines ... when Grandma (my mom) fed him the cereal, twice so far, he was fine and ate it all!? What's up with that? Today he ate 1/2 and wined, then he nursed and was fine ...

I am Kristen from Massachusetts (Worcester area)

Kristen,

I made the mistake of introducing solids too early at 4 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics now suggests that babies should recieve breastmilk exclusively until at least 6 months, whereas the old guideline was to start solids at 4-6 months. We successfully backed off and went fully to the breast again. There's a lot of pressure to start solids, but it's actually really beneficial to have a baby who only breastfeeds until he or she is able to sit up unaided and successfully able to self-feed (coordinate hands enough to grab and move objects to the mouth).

*shrug* Stand up to grandma, if you need to! ^__^

-Leslie

Leslie - posted on 04/29/2009

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Quoting Kristen:

Beau (my son) is my 18 pound 3 month, 3 week old son who is mainly breast fed. I am a working mother and some times it is not possible to get enough pumped at work to provide for him later, so he does get formula every so often from daddy or if I am uncomfortable to breast feed around others around a lot of people.

He started rice cereal a few days ago ... not sure how i feel about it yet ... not sure if it's too early? Every time I've fed him the cereal he eats like 1/2 then wines ... when Grandma (my mom) fed him the cereal, twice so far, he was fine and ate it all!? What's up with that? Today he ate 1/2 and wined, then he nursed and was fine ...

I am Kristen from Massachusetts (Worcester area)

Kristen,

I made the mistake of introducing solids too early at 4 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics now suggests that babies should recieve breastmilk exclusively until at least 6 months, whereas the old guideline was to start solids at 4-6 months. We successfully backed off and went fully to the breast again. There's a lot of pressure to start solids, but it's actually really beneficial to have a baby who only breastfeeds until he or she is able to sit up unaided and successfully able to self-feed (coordinate hands enough to grab and move objects to the mouth).

*shrug* Stand up to grandma, if you need to! ^__^

-Leslie

Margaret - posted on 04/29/2009

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Exclusively breast-fed. Knoxville, TN

Tanya - posted on 04/29/2009

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My boy loves his breastmilk! Living in Cold Lake Alberta

Leslie - posted on 04/29/2009

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My 20 month old son is still BF. We never had to use formula, which I am thankful for. We chose child-led weaning, and it's been a great experience with a toddler (nothing else calms him down so quickly)! I'm from Chicago area, but now reside in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Ladies, if I could, I would buy a copy of "Breastfeeding with Comfort and Joy: A Photographic Guide for Mom and Those Who Help Her" by Laura Keegan, R.N, F.N.P. for EVERY new mom. I highly recommend it.

Kristen - posted on 04/29/2009

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Just a side note, the first month breast feeding was HELL! And yes, I've read some responses and some say "you never expect it to be so hard, no one tells you". I caught breast infection, high fever, chills, feeling like you had the flu ... Sore nipple, extreme pain when baby ate from that side ...the cure for clogged milk duct to nurse ... as a result of the clogged milk duct / infection, that one breast produces less milk than my "dominate" breast.

But it DOES get better and does become more convenient. Don't have to constantly wash bottles, don't have to wonder if he's hungry and hurry to make a bottle only to find out he doesn't want it ... Barely have had to buy formula ... he only has it when there is no stored breast milk for daddy while mom works..and we may use it more @ night as a supplement.

Kristen - posted on 04/29/2009

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Beau (my son) is my 18 pound 3 month, 3 week old son who is mainly breast fed. I am a working mother and some times it is not possible to get enough pumped at work to provide for him later, so he does get formula every so often from daddy or if I am uncomfortable to breast feed around others around a lot of people.

He started rice cereal a few days ago ... not sure how i feel about it yet ... not sure if it's too early? Every time I've fed him the cereal he eats like 1/2 then wines ... when Grandma (my mom) fed him the cereal, twice so far, he was fine and ate it all!? What's up with that? Today he ate 1/2 and wined, then he nursed and was fine ...

I am Kristen from Massachusetts (Worcester area)

Cecilia - posted on 04/29/2009

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I do both as most people said my milk supply is limited, but i try to pump as much breast milk as i can. I take each day at a time, to see how much formula to give.

I'm living in Perth, australia

Vicky - posted on 04/29/2009

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Exclusively bottle fed as my daughter is on special formula in England.

Helena - posted on 04/28/2009

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my baby is breastfeed. and when i am not around, expressed milk in a bottle
st peters, mo

Alma - posted on 04/28/2009

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I had a hard time breast feeding. No matter what I did there was not enough milk being produced for my baby. She needed to feed so we moved to formula and she's been doing great. Formula only in Los Angeles.

Tanya - posted on 04/28/2009

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I am excusively BF but sam trying to introduce a bottle,but she wants nothing to do with it. We live in PA

Yang Wah - posted on 04/28/2009

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Exclusively breastfeeding after struggling in the beginning. Had all the problems listed in the books, from mastitis to sore nipples etc... no one told me it was going to be so hard... But enjoying the convenience now esp when out and the closeness to my son! From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.