Formula or continue to Breastfeed?? HELP

Lyla - posted on 01/02/2010

yeah mine is a pretty good pump. it' s called purly yours.

Amanda - posted on 12/24/2009

Quoting Alyssa:

I never breastfed with either one of my kids. I always wanted to but for some reason just got really nervous when it came to time. I have heard that when they start getting formula they tend to lean to that more once they start getting it on a regular basis. All babies feeding schedules are different and I have heard that Breast milk digests alot faster, so the feedings are closer together. I don't know from experience, so I can't guarantee that. My friends have breastfed though. I believe its all up to you, and you do what you think is best for your child.

I think it's great to hear from someone who did feel nervous when it came time to breastfeed. Most people don't even talk about that. But it is nerve wracking.

After I gave birth to my daughter she pops out, they weigh her, she's good yup looks good, hand her to me i'm holding her enjoying the moment and then they all clean up and leave. Then this breastfeeding nurse comes in and says "Ok time to started your breastfeeding training" as if I was some kind of baseball player or something.  LMAO

She just takes my newborn, tells me to take off my shirt and then "You have your bra on?" In such a tone a voice that it's ridiculous I put my bra back on after delivery. 

Anyhow the TAKES MY BOOB and says ok here's how you put it in see the angle? See how it should touch the roof of her mouth - you really gotta make sure you get it all in there...

HAHAHAHAHA  writing this now makes me laugh thinking back to that day almost 3 years ago.

Not a good first expereince LOL

The next lady was nicer and soft spoken - but that made me even MORE nervous cause she seemed nervous seeing my boobs.  I didn't want to be showing all these people my boobs!  I'm not the kinda gal that enjoys having her boobs gawked at you know? HAHAHA

Anyways, so yes I did breastfeed for awhile and yes it was great and it was bonding. I suffered through some medical complications with it - but honestly it was very stresfful for me and I felt really uncomfortable, I was in tremendous pain and it was not an enjoyable experience.

I was also super nervous and it's great to hear from someone else that they were nervous too.

Amanda - posted on 12/24/2009

I don't think anyone should make people feel bad who choose formula. Some people can't breastfeed or pump for medical reasons and it's not fair to to make people feel bad who do formula. It's our choice as WOMEN and we should all be about giving women more power to make decisions for themselves and not feel guilty about it. We always put everyone else before us - especially our kids of course...but we should still be able to make decisions FOR US sometimes. Maybe some people just don't want to breastfeed. It DOES get in the way of life...especially if you don't like whipping your boob out in public or in front of friends or family at home. For myself, I ended up with an infection when my first was born and had to take meds which caused complications for breastfeeding for weeks...There are others who have a lot of pain and discomfort, cracked and bleeding nipples...it's not enjoyable to breastfeed when you're almost in tears from pain. People with fair, light skin, blonder hair, or red hair, tend to have troubles breastfeeding because they're nipples are lighter and don't toughen up as much as people with dark nipples or dark hair or skin...so don't judge others for using formula.

You already have enough pressure on yourself as a mom...and I totally agree with Fransceca that we are entitlted to happiness too :)

p.s. like I said before MANY formulas available nowadays are very close to breastmilk and even have DHA and ARA...there are some brand new ones just came out this year that also have added protection for the immune system and even nutrients to help the digestive system...

Yes it's more expensive formula of course...the good stuff is always more expensive - but totally worth it...

i wish everyone a Merry Chrsitmas! enjoy your kids and try not to stress out too much or try to be the perfect mom ;) just enjoy being a mommy in the first place.

Francesca - posted on 12/23/2009

Quoting Shannyn:

Quoting jessica:

its easy for a man to say breastfeed cuz their not the ones doing it.U made it to 3 months so u already gave him the best start possible.I think if you can stand to alternate then go for it.Its not just about the baby but how you feel and convenience.

Perhaps they're not the ones doing it- but they are their children too !! Just because a Man can not breast feed, doesn't mean he shouldn't have a say in HIS child's care. This is a very unreasonable response to a Father looking out for the BEST for his child.

I disagree.  If it were my Dh' s decision Ella would have been formula fed within the first few weeks.  He kept offering to make up the formula.  Told me it was okay to quit trying.  Now my MIL bugs me that I am spoiling her since I am still breastfeeding at 8 months.  But now when she pesters him to get me to stop he replies that I will do it for however long Ella and I both want to do it. Yes, it is his child too, but he is not the one who is going through it.  And yes, at first its grueling.  I had mastitis, cracked bloody nipples, I couldnt be on my medication because I have MS so I relapsed.  But it was my decision.  And no matter what that decision is, NO ONE has the right to make you feel bad for it.  Whether it is to continue to breastfeed, or to supplement or even do both.  Not even your DH.

Ashley, have you tried to talk to you husband about how you feel?  I know you said he wants whats best for his baby but a happy mommy will make a happy baby and sometimes they need it put out there.  I told my Dh how his disencouragement at these times were very frustrating and I felt like they completely brought me down in a time that I really needed his support.  And that I wanted to be happy, because I only wanted Ella to see me at my best because she deserved my best.  And he got it.  I know we have opposite problems but the situation still holds true to the advice.  

No matter what you do, trying something out once or twice will not be a life long commitment.  And its okay to change your mind.  Ella was supplemented a whole day.  Other than that one day, she has been exclusively breastfed for eight months so far.

Good luck.  I wish you and your little one all the best, and a wonderful first Christmas as a family.

Dominique - posted on 12/23/2009

no toy,clothes or money can compare to the gift of breastfeeding its one of the best things ive did for my son so far. I would recommend a electric pump for some better results.

Lisa - posted on 12/23/2009

I breast feed and will hopefully be going back to work soon, I want her to get breast milk as long as possible (up to a year) so I have started to pump and freeze it. In my opinion it is best to breast feed, but if you have been doing it for 3 months already he has gotten the good antibodies from you. Just do whatever you feel is right for you!

Katie - posted on 12/23/2009

I nursed my son until he was 8 months old and yes there were times when my "chubby boy" didn't get enough breast milk that I did have to use some formula. It really is your decision and what you feel is best for your particular situation. I didn't like to pump either, but as a on the go family, it worked out great. I have gone several places where nursing really felt uncomfortable for me so that is when the pumping came in handy. I loved the bond of nursing my son and would have done it longer if he wouldn't have received teeth and wouldn't have bit me!
Wish you the best of luck in your decision!

Kati - posted on 12/23/2009

I do both. I got sick of pumping and it's not always easy when you are out to warm up a bottle. Most times there is a sink with warm water that you can make a bottle with. I nurse at home and when my baby is at the sitters or we are out she has formula. She still gets the benefits of nursing and the benefits in the formula as well. Good luck!

Leanne - posted on 12/23/2009

I always breastfed and formula fed at the same time right from birth. I couldn't handle going exclusive, I liked the breaks. And my children are fine.

Charlotte - posted on 12/23/2009

I breastfed exclusively for the first four months, but my son had low weight gain. I was so stressed about it and felt bad. I ended up switching to half formula and half breastfeeding and he was ok with it. The first day or so getting him to accept the formula wasn't easy, but after that it was ok. Then when he was six months I switched to just formula. Everyone can tell you what you should do, but it's easy to say until you've had trouble yourself. I even had one of the best pumps, but it was so frustrating and hard for me. Plus, every kid is different. At six months, we started going thru periods where he would refuse to drink his bottles, even when hungry and think sometimes it was related to teething. Who knows, he is a busy body kid who would rather see what's going on than waste time drinking. Right now he is a year old and can eat solids, but wants his food smoothly pureed. It's a lot of fun cleaning up puke because he would make himself gag....although that has gotten better. They are all different, give them the best you can, and that is all you can do.

Natalie - posted on 12/23/2009

I didn't like pumping either to go to hte gym or to the supermarket, but it was a small sacrifice to make in order to give your baby boy the best. The first six months should be exclusively breastmilk and at six months start with boiled, blended, strained vegetables and fruits, and still breastfeed. By then, it will be so much easier to go out and live him with a couple of portions of juice and rice cereal, you won't even remember the sacrifice you are making now.

Hang in there, you can do it too! this is the mom of a 13 month-old baby girl who's still breastfeeding, but she can now even stay overnight at her grandma's without milk.

Krystin - posted on 12/23/2009

My son refused to take the boob, so I actually pumped exclusively for him for over a year. Well, I tried to anyways. He ended up getting both breast milk and formula because he'd eat more than I could make. Some days he was downing 45 ounces or more! On my best days I would make 30 in a day. I was always jealous of other moms I talked to that had so much they'd pump like 6 oz. in 5 minutes. It took me over 30 minutes to get the same results sometimes. I know it's hard, but only you know what's best for you and your son. Good luck!

Christina - posted on 12/23/2009

I have a 9 month old daughter and I wanted to breastfeed only but when she was born, she would nurse but her weight wasn't increasing fast enough for her doctor and told me to supplement. I have been supplementing ever since but I nurse her as much as I can. She does both, eat baby food and some people food and still her doctor thinks she's not gaining fast. She is very healthy and reaching her milestone quickly (she is walking, trying to run..lol). Do what is best for you. Your boyfriend may want to only nurse but you are mommy. Mommy knows best! LOL. I think as long your son is getting milk from you too, it is all good!

BTW, I am not a big fan of pumping either. only because my body knows machine from baby ( i know its weird). when i pump, i don't get as much but my daughter is very full and content when she nurse! I have an electric pump at that. Only hospital grade can get more...but even with that, my body knows. But i do want to say one thing. if you want to do both breast and bottle, granted you don't like pumping, pump. it helps keep your milk flowing unless you trying to dry up soon.

Amber - posted on 12/22/2009

My son will be 7 months old on the 24th and I still breastfeed. I find it the most rewarding thing a mother can do for her child. I had to supplement with formula a few times when he was born and a few times after for emergency situations when I didn't have enough breast milk stored and it almost always made him throw up. He is eating baby food and breast milk everyday and is a happy healthy little boy. It really is better for your baby. I think you should keep doing it :)

Ashley - posted on 12/22/2009

I breastfed my son for 2 years, but whenever he spent the night with his grandparents (once a month), he got formula because pumping didn't work for me.

Cat - posted on 12/22/2009

I have an almost 6 month old. I have been exclusively breastfeeding her ever since she was born. No bottle or pumping. It is the best thing I have done. It is so good for her, no formula can duplicate breast milk, plus it benefits me as well. Try to stay with it if you can, it's one of the best things you will ever do for your child! :)

Christal - posted on 12/22/2009

I understand. I would rather be playing with my daughter than distracting her while I try to pump for her. We introduced a bottle when my daughter was 4 weeks or so, just so at some point I could go out and leave her with my husband or a baby sitter etc. Then for a few weeks we got lazy on giving her a bottle because it was just easier to offer the breast than prepare the bottle. Our daughter then REFUSED a bottle for a month and a half and we just now got her back on. But I don't use formula...and I won't unless my milk has an issue, but that is up to you. My daughter eats every 2 hours even though she is 4 months old, and we also just introduced her to rice and oatmeal (mixed with breastmilk).

Alyssa - posted on 12/22/2009

I never breastfed with either one of my kids. I always wanted to but for some reason just got really nervous when it came to time. I have heard that when they start getting formula they tend to lean to that more once they start getting it on a regular basis. All babies feeding schedules are different and I have heard that Breast milk digests alot faster, so the feedings are closer together. I don't know from experience, so I can't guarantee that. My friends have breastfed though. I believe its all up to you, and you do what you think is best for your child.

Christi - posted on 12/22/2009

i was never able to produce any breastmilk so my now one year old son has been exclusively formula fed. i am not going to lie, it has been difficult to find the right formula since he is lactose intolerant, but i have to say that every check up he is actually more advanced deveolpmentally and physically than other children his age. it is hard to make the switch but if it is a strain on you, who cares what your boyfriends thinks, this is your body.

Heather - posted on 12/21/2009

I say its completely up to you I breastfed for two months but then had to go back to work and it was to big of a pain to pump. And you have to remember you are the one having to feed your baby not your boyfriend and you need to be able to go and run to the store and not worry about getting back in time to feed him. But remember its your choice not his

Katie - posted on 12/21/2009

i breastfed my daughter for only a couple weeks and then switched to formula (i had a tough time breastfeeding because she was early and couldn't latch on so easy). Although it isn't a known fact formula may be the cause of colic. After I stopped breastfeeding my daughter got colic. There are ways to make colic better but it is such a stressful time dealing with a baby who does nothing but cry. If I were you I would try to breastfeed but ultimately it is your decision. Talk to your baby's doctor about it. I'm sure they can list you some pros and cons of formula.

Mary - posted on 12/21/2009

My son is 2 months old and I wanted to breastfeed exclusively, but there were many problems, such as latch issues, breast infection and extremely sore nipples that resulted in me having a low milk production. After 5 or 6 weeks, he finally figured out how to latch but my milk supply was pretty low by then and he had lots of trouble gaining weight.

His pediatrician has had me supplement with formula after every breastfeeding since he was three weeks old, and he has finally put on some weight. Even though I wanted to breastfeed exclusively, I found out that it was not the end of the world to give him some formula. He still eagerly breastfeeds at every opportunity and doesn't have any trouble with either type of feeding. I am taking some medicine now that has increased my milk supply and now I feed him formula less often, but he still switches to either very easily.

I think it's definitely okay to do both.

Nakeia - posted on 12/21/2009

I hated breastfeeding so i say formula. but one thing i can say is that my bestfriend breastfeed her son longer then i did i think i did it for a month and it hurt so bad and let me tell you my son has never been sick besides after one shot and her son always stays sick so it has nothing to do with formular or breastfeeding if your kid is going to get sick it is going to happen!

Jessica - posted on 12/21/2009

I feel it depends on you. A lot of people say breast is best. It is true it dose have the right nutrients and can fix many problems. A lot of men perfer it and feel strongly about it. It's also cheeper but for me I have inverted nipples so I used a sheiled, it was great but I ended up with mastitus then I tryed and my milk was running out so I used a pump aswell it's good but it took me ages to get a little bit out. My nipples where sooooo sore. Then I finely took my mum's advice and did the bottle. He was ilergic to the S26 so we went for Nan gold and have never looked back. I found alot of woman gets lots of support on the breast and none on the bottle. But hay if their feed and your happy then their happy. We don't use any of it in the end anyway. :P

Jennifer - posted on 12/21/2009

i highly suggest breast feeding! i have 2 children, the 1st one i tried breast feeding and after a month i gave up! but it was my 1st child and i didnt know how easy it was going to get! this 2nd one i was determined to do it completely! my daughter is now almost 9 months and im still breast feeding and i love it! its sooooooo easy! no bottles to make no bottles to clean no spending tons of money on formula!! i do give her a bottle every now and then cause i work 2 days a week! your milk will start to adjust to her eating schedual and it will start to be much easier for you! trust me! you can do it and i know you will love it in the long run!

April - posted on 12/21/2009

Its ok, I have a 5mon 4wk old daughter, Im tired of breastfeeding truthfully b/c I want my breast back without the leaking and etc, I felt guilty about stopping so right now I breastfed when Im at home, but I feed her formula when I'm out, which I still havnt decided what formula she is going to be on when I stop completely, but I would say try to make it to the 6month mark...Im proud to say my daughter hasnt been sick yet and I havnt either this entire year...good luck with whatever you choose

Jade - posted on 12/21/2009

hey darl..and the end of the day you do what u can do 2 survive!!! ok i only breastfeed my son 4 2 weeks and there hasnt been a thing wrong with him where as my friend breastfeed for ages n her son is always sick wat im getting at is atleast ur son has had all the colestrum the good stuff... but if u give him halve halve u may find he will have problems but even if u slowly introduce him 2 it more n more..but at the end of the day 2 what ever it is that u think is best ok darl well good luck!!!

Kim - posted on 12/20/2009

I say as long as your child is getting fed, it's up to you. I am a new mother to a 7 week sold son and we are exclusively breastfeeding... I always said I would BF my child for their whole first year at least if not more, but now that I am actually doing it I don't really enjoy it much and I am planning on weaning him off my milk onto formula when he starts solids... anywhere around 4-6 months. Unless it gets easier soon... I am just having a hard time with it, but if things get better we might be able to go for the whole year like I planned... we'll see. Lots of Luck!

Hanna - posted on 12/20/2009

You need to do what works best for you and nobody, including your boyfriend can tell you what to do in this situation. Personally, i had a similar problem to you (except i was exclusively pumping because my son refused to latch on from day one and he was always a big baby with an appetite of a crocodile). i went through hell trying to keep up milk supply and then at 4.5 months just started supplementing with solids. my son didn't like the formula -- the mix of bm & formula got him really constipated and gassy (and we tried switching to the one with protein broken down, the soy one and with no success), so he'd be miserable, so once i finally got my milk supply up (between 1 and 4.5 months) and enough to feed him exclusively, that's what i did. but then by 4.5 months, 35-40 oz of milk was no longer enough, so i just started giving cereal before bed & in the morning and like 10-12 days later started giving him first foods.

see if your son likes formula and if the mix doesn't make him miserable. personally, i don't think pumping is that bad (i did invest in medela pump in style & it turned out to be the best investment i made, as Maxi is now 9 months & i still use it), what helped me was getting the car charger attachment so i became much more mobile & not tied down to the house to pump every 3hrs and since the pump is in a bag, i would just drop it in the back seat next to the diaper bag and we'd go do stuff out of the house (beach, mall, day-trips) and if hubby would be driving, i'd just pump while we were on the road or just go to the car for a few minutes and get that done and continue doing what we were doing (it also turned out to be useful when we did the driving move from MIami to Charlotte -- i'd pump on the road & rinse off the bottles & attachments at rest stops or restaurants (and rinse them again with bottled water). i also saved the ice packs that came with the enfamil bag (gift from hospital), we still use those to this day together with the black thermo container that came with the breast pump, except now we use it for solids so that helped getting out of the house for more than 2-3 hours at a time. i hope this helps. good luck to you!

Tracy - posted on 12/20/2009

Quoting Traci:

If you want the absolute best for your baby, it's breastfeeding all the way...until he's on solid food. Formula will never measure up to the benefits and nutrients breastfeeding naturally provides. Not to mention 500 calories your body burns a day just to make the milk

Breast feeding is the best I agree but.....i HAD to start giving my son formula at 3 months (my milk supply just wasnt there...I tryed meds but they didnt work either, everything and anything in the book!!!) My son is almost 9 months and walking!! so as a formula baby he's just as advanced as a breastfed one!!!!

As far as calories...go for a nice walk or jog with baby, you'll burn just as much  :)

Tracy - posted on 12/20/2009

Well first off if your boyfriend doesnt have a baby lached onto his boob...not his choice!!!!! LOL
No harm in giving bottles, you'll get the moms who say 'breast milk is the best" (I agree) But my son started formula at 3 months and he's great!!!!! almost 9 months and walking!!!!!
I just didnt have enough milk supply for him so my DR told me to give em formula, I will admit it was tough the bonding isnt the same but your baby needs to eat..right?!! do what you think is best and good luck.

Traci - posted on 12/20/2009

If you want the absolute best for your baby, it's breastfeeding all the way...until he's on solid food. Formula will never measure up to the benefits and nutrients breastfeeding naturally provides. Not to mention 500 calories your body burns a day just to make the milk

Shanna - posted on 12/20/2009

Personally I think it is the best option. Not only is it good for ur baby it is VERY benefical to ur body. It put me back down to my normal weight size. Also if u are considering birth control dont do the IUD it is like getting the shot they dont tell u that it has depo in it as well. Good luck..

Whitney - posted on 12/20/2009

Quoting Cassie:

I completely agree Whitney!! I am still breastfeeding my 14 month old and am pregnant with our second!! While your breastmilk does change over time, it never loses its nutritional value. My suggestion to all mommies is to try everything to continue breastfeeding for at least the first year if not longer before resorting to using formula as a supplement.

That's great Cassie! We're trying to conceive right now, and if my son still wants to breastfeed I plan to tandem nurse. Good for you :)

Kari - posted on 12/20/2009

there is some misinformation here on this thread. let me try to help.



these are the recomendations for breastfeeding length:



World Health Organization: “two years of age or beyond”



American Academy of Pediatrics: “It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.”



American Academy of Family Physicians: “Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired. If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned.”

Cassie - posted on 12/20/2009

I completely agree Whitney!! I am still breastfeeding my 14 month old and am pregnant with our second!! While your breastmilk does change over time, it never loses its nutritional value. My suggestion to all mommies is to try everything to continue breastfeeding for at least the first year if not longer before resorting to using formula as a supplement.

Whitney - posted on 12/20/2009

Quoting Kendra:

It is up to you not your boyfriend to make that final decision. However, I would continue breastfeeding until at least 6 months as at that point I have heard the nutritional value of breast milk goes down as they are getting most of their nutrition from food. Maybe talk to your pediatrician at your next visit and find out the pros and cons from them and then make a decision.

The nutritional value does NOT go down. Babies are meant to be breastfed, for years not months. As your baby gets older, your milk changes to their needs. My son is almost two, and while he eats whatever food he wants, he still loves his mommy milk more than anything. It's not deciding between coke or pepsi. Breastmilk truly is the perfect food for our children.

Sally - posted on 12/20/2009

Breast is best when it works for BOTH of you, if its becoming too much don't feel pressurised to keep it up... do what you can cope with!

Candyce - posted on 12/20/2009

Unless your boyfriend can grow boobs and feed your son himself I say his opinion on the subject is just ear candy. :p

I am exclusively breastfeeding my son and have been for the past 6 months. I plan to until he;s about a year old or he weens himself whichever comes first. However, I don't work and I am with him 24/7 pretty much. So, it's up to you and your life style. I also dislike the pump because I find it diffcult to let down for the pump. It's odd that I will only let down for Nikko. Lol. If you are a very busy person I would go ahead and give him the formula while you are gone but if you are home give him some mommy milk because he does get the anti-bodies.

Tarsha - posted on 12/20/2009

my bubs is 5months old and i do both i wanted to exclusive b/f but he wasnt gaining weigh so child and youth health recommended supplementing..he was exclusive breast feed until about 3months, now bottle and breast i feed him 10min or more if he wants on both sides then top him up with formula, and when we are out he usually bottles, i pump as well to keep my milk up...my partner is the opposite, he wants me 2 stop! lol but a bottle every now and then is o.k and yes u need a break sometimes..its up to YOU what u do and i hope ur partner supports you whatever u decide...sometimes he doesnt take the boob and sometimes he doesnt take the bottle depends which kinda mood he is in, if u decide to bottle feed and breast feed just make sure u use the bottles with slow flow teats because once baby is put onto bottles they usually get lazy! good luck hunni in whatever u decide all the best!

Jenny - posted on 12/19/2009

hello I am new to this site. But yeah about your question. that decision of whether to keep breasfeeding exclusively is yours to make, I know that the more and longer you breastfeed your baby the haelthier he/she will be. I breastfed my daughter up to 3 months i wish i could have done it for a longer period but i had to go back to school and work so it was more convenient to just do formula. But she is doing fine with it. I hope whichever one you decide to do works for you. Good luck mom

Katie - posted on 12/19/2009

I personally do both breastfeeding and formula. It is easier on me and others when they watch my daughter. My husband would have preferred that I only breastfed, but I had to do what is right for me. Do the same, discuss with with your fiance, but ultimately do what is right for you.

Janine - posted on 12/19/2009

My daughter is 3 1/2 months and I have been both 95% breastfeeding since she was born. She would not laych at the start so we had to use formula. Now she breastfeeds and I pump but she will also take formula. I think I am pretty lucky that she has no problems with doing that as I have heard some stories that this is not always this easy. When I leave her and cannot pump enough I will leave a formula bottle. I think it you only give him a bottle once in a while it should be fine. My milk has not lessened even with using the bottle, but then again all woman are different. I say do what is best for you and your son!

Shannyn - posted on 12/19/2009

Quoting jessica:

Quoting Ashley:

Formula or continue to Breastfeed?? HELP

My son is 3 months old and i breastfeed him. i dont like to pump and have been thinking about going half and half with him [ give him boob sometimes but when i want to go to the store or leave him with someone for an hour or so he will eat a bottle] but my boyfriend wants me to exclusivly breastfeed. has anyone else decided to switch?? or been in the same situation?!?! i need some advise....

its easy for a man to say breastfeed cuz their not the ones doing it.U made it to 3 months so u already gave him the best start possible.I think if you can stand to alternate then go for it.Its not just about the baby but how you feel and convenience.

Perhaps they're not the ones doing it- but they are their children too !! Just because a Man can not breast feed, doesn't mean he shouldn't have a say in HIS child's care. This is a very unreasonable response to a Father looking out for the BEST for his child.

Shannyn - posted on 12/19/2009

I'd find a different pump- if that's what's detering you. Formula is no match for breastmilk- none. You could hand express if you can't find a pump you like. I would honestly continue to breastfeed until the child weans himself- but atleast for a year.

Stephanie - posted on 12/19/2009

I am still breastfeeding my son and he is 13 months old.The kid does not to eat much else so breastfeeding him works for us.Also the longer you breastfeed the less chance you have to get breast cancer...or so I have heard.I am glad that you decided to breastfeed him at all though cause not many people like the idea anymore.Alot cheaper than formula by far lol

Tiera - posted on 12/19/2009

Do you have a good pump? I absolutely hated pumping with my first child . . . and I had a really cheap pump. It took forever to pump any milk. With my second, I invested in an expensive, but really good pump and it made all the difference. Takes only 10 to 15 minutes to pump, works great. Having a good quality pump made it so much easier. I don't mind doing it now.

Lyla - posted on 12/19/2009

my daughter is 4 months and i went back to work when she was 2 months so i understand about pumping. i do it three times a day. but if you look at it as pumping means that when you go to the store or out for the night, your baby will still have the best possible food. i'm not saying formula is bad but if you don't go out often, it's not so bad to use the pump once or twice a week. and most women are able to get out almost 8 ounces in one pumping session of 15 minutes. i know it's stressful and i can relate, but breastfeeding is the best choice you can make for your baby. and it's costs nothing compared to formula. lol

Erin - posted on 12/19/2009

I exclusively pump and bottle feed. I think that if you bottle feed expressed breast milk then your b/f should not have any issue with you choosing the bottle. I however can understand him objecting to formula! I personally prefer to use a double electric medela instyle pump and pumped for my 1st born for the first year and took him off the bottle, now I am 3 mos into pumping for #2 who is 3 mos old, I plan to do this for the entire first year of his life as well, as children get the most benefit of breast milk for the first year of life. I don't particularly enjoy doing this every 3 hours, but I absolutely HATE cleaning up messes from formula, it stinks and stains like crazy, costs too much and isn't mommy milk! If you can pump & bottle feed I think that would be a fair compromise!

Jessica - posted on 12/19/2009

Quoting Ashley:

Formula or continue to Breastfeed?? HELP

My son is 3 months old and i breastfeed him. i dont like to pump and have been thinking about going half and half with him [ give him boob sometimes but when i want to go to the store or leave him with someone for an hour or so he will eat a bottle] but my boyfriend wants me to exclusivly breastfeed. has anyone else decided to switch?? or been in the same situation?!?! i need some advise....

its easy for a man to say breastfeed cuz their not the ones doing it.U made it to 3 months so u already gave him the best start possible.I think if you can stand to alternate then go for it.Its not just about the baby but how you feel and convenience.