BFing

AMJ6511

Who is still EBF? 

Those of you that started to introduce formula as supplementation, why did you chose to start? 

We are still EBF and it is just exhausting for me. I'm interested in still BFing, but also supplementing with formula, but our pedi acted like I was crazy and told me not to mess around since bf-ing is working for us. 

hatroopes

We're still EBF, but doing purees once a day as well.

My initial goal was 6 months but now that's it's about 2 weeks away, the thought of weaning is making me sad. So I think my new goal will be 9 months which will take us to the end of the year. I'll re-evaluate at that point. It is really a commitment as a working mom with having to pump several times a day but it's still going good and my supply is still great so I'm thankful for that.

OhSewCrafty

We are still BF. Now that we've almost hit the 6 month mark ( <:-P ), I'm to the point where my frugalness is overpowering me hatred of pumping at work. Its working for us, so I can't justify buying formula. That's just me though.

24ladybug

Still going. I had tons of fears in the begining but so far so good. I do hate pumping.
I don't want to put a time frame on it. I don't want to be sad if I can't make a goal. So we will keep at it as long as we are both happy. If one day we aren't then I will look at changing it.

Mellisa412

In less than 2 weeks I will have made it to my 6 month goal of bfing. I am not sure where we are going from there. I change my mind on a daily bases. I hate pumping with a passion. We will probably end up going to 9 months and the reevaluate from there

July18Bride

I am still EBF but we also do purees 1x daily. My original goal was 3 months and then it became 6 months. LO was sick for a few days and refused to nurse and I realized how much I missed it...and pumping doesn't bother me too much, so I think my new goal is 9 months. Plus, I have so much frozen milk that could last me 1-2 months by that time I may be able to get away without ever purchasing formula!

Angela814

We're bfing and starting to do a little bit of BLW. I'm starting to work again part time, so unfortunately I'm having to start pumping. :-( At least I'll only have to pump part time for 6 months this time around.

PSUBecky23

Going to start weaning off pumping on Monday which is when she turns six months. Hoping to continue BFing morning and night. We've been supplementing since I went back to work because I've never been able to pump enough.

skidderdo

We are still EBF. Yesterday at our well child visit the pedi was like "are you going to feed him ever?" (He's almost 6.5 months)... psshh... whatevs, we'll get around to it at some point! BFing is a huge pain the the ace for us too, but the benefits are so clear that I'll just deal with it for as long as we can

smash1228

Still EBF here! Its a pain but planning on sticking it out as long as possible! Thanks for the reply to my question on the breastfeeding board about LO being distracted. I'm hoping it gets better bc its making breastfeeding a little annoying right now! Its taking double the amount of time to nurse her bc she wants to constantly pull off!

JSS1002

Here's the deal -- and I am a supporter of breastfeeding, but moreso a supporter of happy sane moms.

You don't HAVE to do it, no matter what anybody says.
If you don't want to do it anymore, just stop.

Do not let anybody make you feel bad about your choices.

Breastfeeding is hard work - puts responsibility for feeding almost solely on the mom.  It isn't for everybody. And that's okay.  We live in the US with clean water and there is no reason that a modern woman can't CHOOSE formula for her child.

I thought I would EBF for 6 months or a year, but the reality of the situation was not what i anticipated in terms of the workload, and honestly I could not imagine pumping at work -- my job is way to intense.  I also had a wrist injury that was making nursing a very frustrating and painful experience for me. 

I slowly weaned DS to be about 80% formula by the time I returned to work, then spent the next month using our freezer stash up.  He's on formula now (and rice cereal and experimenting with F/V), and everybody is happier this way.

I asked a lot of people for perspective and opinions and finally came to the conclusion that it was my CHOICE what to do... my DH was 100% formula fed as a baby amd is the picture of health -- I was 100% EBF and have struggled with my weight my whole life, broken a few bones, and am definitely inclined to be sick all winter. :-)  I think it is a crap shoot!

Good luck!

Kate_C

Still EBF here too. I really really hate pumping. Honestly part of what is driving me to continue is that DS was EBF until about 11 months so I feel obligated to keep it even for this LO. But I definitely am not as into it this time as I was last time when I did all the extra pumping, fenugreek, etc. this time I just can't make myself do all the extra pumping on weekends.

Do what works best for you. Pumping sucks so if you want/need to supplement or even switch, go for it. Happy mom is important to have a happy baby!

Mandmeesh

still EBF, and really exclusively because of a stubborn little man who won't do bottles.  He was liking his straw cup, but I can't bother most of the time.  So, no pump until he decides that bottles aren't evil. No solids yet.  like @skidderdo...we'll get to it some time!

edit typos

kelsea1031

Still EBF here. Ideally, we'll BF until DD decides she's done. No solids yet but we'll start BLW at some point after 6 months. I tell myself everyday that I need to pump and work on my freezer stash for date nights, etc. And laziness wins out of every single day. And she doesn't take a bottle well anyway so it doesn't do me much good!

Jillibean68

Still ebf over here too and no plans to stop anytime soon. It's cheap, easily portable and I've worked hard to get this far, there's no way I'd give all that up now.

KrisM86

We're still EBF with no plans to stop. I EBF my daughter until she started solids and still continued to BF until she was 20 months old. My plan is the same for DS...I hope to continue as long as he wants until 2 years or so.

Honestly, I can't imagine stopping or even supplementing at this point if it is going well, though I am a SAHM so I don't have the stress of pumping all the time.

lyankowi

No solids and EBF. Like others I hate pumping but my work is supportive with the pumping. I don't know if we plan on solids anytime soon she's not 5 monthes yet. I'm not a huge fan of bf but it works

sparty11

I am EBF and plan to as long as I am able to. I have to admit I am not a fan of pumping at work, but I will for as long as I can. I originally only planned on EBF for 6 months, but like pp stated I will go longer as well. My supply seems to have dipped a little bit but I added another pumping session during my work day and that seems to be helping.
I was lucky enough to get formula from a co worker that is good until April 2014. So if we need to supplement or I need to start formula all together we have formula. I should have enough to last me at least 6 months. So basically until he hits a year. Hopefully I will not have to use it though.

JBDamonM

phill027 said:

I started supplementing because I can't pump enough to keep up with what LO wants to eat. I posted on the bf board about this and many of the women thought I should limit DS to what I'm able to produce, but I didn't want to do that. I'm not in the camp who believes that nature works perfectly. I think he needed the extra calories and I wasn't producing them. I'm so glad I started supplementing because it removed a lot of my stress. I think you have to account for what's best for baby AND you. Your happiness affects baby too.

This is pretty much me too - although the problem with my LO is she would take only what I could produce and not fuss like she is hungry. However at her 4 month appointment the dr. told me I needed to feed her more and at that point  I could not keep up.

I also agree that it's made my life easier. She's getting enough to eat and I find it easier to just pack a bottle and go on our way.

danuli8

Still EBFing here. I don't have a time goal...I'll keep on until one of us wants to stop. I do like the cost and convenience aspects, and DS hasn't been sick once. But you have to do what is right for you and your baby.

Debbie0580

We were EBF until a few days ago when I started supplementing with a bottle of formula a day. I didn't produce anything from pumping so its just been me and this mama needed a break. I also need a date with my husband one of these days which is pretty hard to do when I can't go anywhere for more than 1.5-2 hrs so maybe now I can get 3-4.

Lhyacinth888

I am still ebf'ing with one "meal" of solids a day. I am kinda embarrassed and worried to say my DD has never had a bottle. I am having my mom babysit in a few weeks so we'll probably do a trial bottle before then. With my DS I ebf until he was 14 months old. He sorta lost interest then went right to cow's milk. I am also a SAHM so its a lot easier to commit to ebf. I worked a little after my DS was born and pumping sucked! I give pumping moms so much credit!!! I agree with PP as long as mom and baby are happy who cares if they are ff or bf?!

PSUBecky23

phill027 said:

Going to start weaning off pumping on Monday which is when she turns six months. Hoping to continue BFing morning and night. We've been supplementing since I went back to work because I've never been able to pump enough.

@rcantor this is exactly what I'd like to do eventually. Do you have a plan for dropping the pumping sessions and keeping the two nursing sessions?

I currently pump three times a day - 9:30, 12:30 and 3:30. I think I'm going to start by pumping at 10 and 2 for a few days and then drop to one session in the middle of the day for a few days and then drop to none. I'll keep BFing before and after work and during night feedings while I'm weaning off the pumping and then hopefully by the time I've weaned off, my body will get it. No idea if it will work but I can't handle pumping anymore. If we have to go to all formula, then so be it. Kellymom has a good article on pump weaning - there are a few different methods.

Sarahbeth1169

I still EBF. I enjoy feeding my baby. I love the time I have with him. I recently started subbing at the school and it was the first time that I actually was away from him for more then 5 hours. I pump 2 times while at work. at 10 and at 2. I don't hate pumping but I do it because I don't want our baby to have any formula if he doesn't have too. I never set a goal of how long to BF but I would like to til he is 12 months. Then he can have whole milk. I do miss not breast feeding him all day but its kind of nice to be able to work again. He also gets either a fruit or veggie during the day and at night he gets cereal with breast milk and a fruit or veggie. I don't really pump on the weekends if I don't have too. :-)

suedell

Still EBF here. No solids yet since he's not even 5 months and not sitting up in his own. I bf ds1 for 18 months and I hope I can do it as long this time. I just feel like it is so healthy for both me and baby and its such a short time in the both our lives.

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squatchiebaby

Ava is 5 1/2 months. We EBF and give one ounce of breast milk mixed with oatmeal at daycare once in the mornings. Keeping up with her has been really difficult and stressful. If it wasn't for the cost I would probably switch to formula. Unfortunately I'm too cheap.

Sarahbeth1169

At 4 months my doctor said we could start feeding him solids. He isn't sitting up on his own but with assistance he does.

love4b

Still EBF and B doesn't want anything to do with a bottle, so she's never had one. I'm gonna follow her lead and let her wean when she's ready. Breastmilk just has so many benefits that as long as I can produce it and she wants to drink it, we'll stay EBF. No solids yet, but we're skipping purees and will start BLW when she shows an interest.

ClandestineX

I was breastfeeding until 3 months. I started supplementing at 2 months because no matter how much I breastfed him he was losing weight, he was then diagnosed with reflux and his main issue was whenever he breastfed. I stopped eating certain things and stopped dairy for 3 weeks, but it was not helping one bit. So at 3.5 months I switched to formula because I was visiting in California and had to stay in the living room, and breastfeeding was making my PPD worse, and I was taking antibiotics and didn't want him to get thrush or anything.

I am happy I did it for that long and I am the only female in my family besides my grandmother who breastfed for more then 1 day. So I consider it an accomplishment. My son hasn't been sick and he seems like the smartest boy in the world (biased of course), so I feel great about his growth and having to use formula.. now if only he would prefer the cheap formula.. it'll make paying for 6-7lbs every two weeks better..

bibliophileemily

Is it still EBF if I had to do formula supplementation in the beginning? It was only for the first few weeks, and she hasn't had formula since...
Well, if it does count, still EBF'ing here, and I see no reason to stop any time soon. It's not about the health benefits or the bonding for me though; I'm just too cheap to buy formula when I can make milk for free, and nursing is so second-nature by now that it's nothing to just pull up my shirt and let her at it.
That is what works for ME though. Everyone is different. I get some people worrying because my DD hasn't had a bottle since she was a month old (I've never pumped) and she can't quite figure out solids, but in the long run, as long as the baby gets fed, it doesn't matter.

ChicagoBroad26

Still EBF and no solids yet. I'm just going to go as long as I can! I lasted six months (pumping and supplementing) with Ava so I love having the nursing bond with Mila this time.

StephiD

I feel like I am late to the post, but fwiw...

We EBF at first. Then, I went back to work at 7 weeks. We went through my stash so quickly! She takes so much more from a bottle than from the breast (like, at least twice as much). I'm thinking because it takes less effort for her to get the milk. 3-4 weeks later, we started giving her formula when we didn't have any frozen milk (and I'm not around). Now, we usually give her formula when someone else watches her (formula is easier to pack in the diaper bag than frozen milk). But she is only babysat for 1-2 hours at a time, except on Saturdays when she goes with my MIL for usually half the day. Occasionally (like during her feeding frenzies aka: growth spurts) I have to give her a frozen milk or formula bottle (which is good, I have only bottle fed her a handful of times. It is funny because I feel so awkward with it. Bottlefeeding is one thing that DH is better at than me lol). 

The point is, we try to do breastmilk first, but use formula when it is needed. We are going to start ricemilk tonight, because she sits really well assisted, and is so interested in everything food related. She reaches for cups, or any food that you are putting in your mouth. I think it is time, though she will still get mostly breastmilk for as long as I can. GL!

Here's a pic of what happens anytime you eat or drink around Mina, this is the main reason why i think she is ready to start solids:

[IMG]https://i39.tinypic.com/24lmrdw.jpg[/IMG]

pinottoparenthood

We still EBF and no solids yet. I absolutely love it, like I am one of those crazy moms who wants to breaatfeed until her kid is five (don't worry, I won't actually do it). I do hate pumping at work, though. Once he hits a year, I plan to wean from pumping at school but. Will keep nursing him morning and night if he continues to be interested in doing so.

MrsP7309

Still EBF here! I'm planning on starting solids sometime in the next month, though. DD is starting to try to take food off my plate.

sapphire021

We EBF until she was 2 months and went through a nursing strike.  Even with pumping, it tanked my supply (which was never great to begin with).  So we did breastfeeding with supplementing 2 bottles a day until I went back to work at 3 months.  Then, my supply tanked further while pumping at work.  I work 8 hours and pump 3 times and only come home with 4-5 ounces!  When I get home, I bf her with a SNS system and them pump after.  It's exhausting, I'm considering dropping the work pumps and just BF once in the am and once in the PM.  But I am also a mommy who loves BFing and it hurts my heart that this is ending.  I feel like I'm fighting by body all the time.  Right now, she is getting about 15oz a day of BM, so I will keep going as long as I can.

Edited b/c my computer went on the fritz 

MKC12/22/2006

EBF here - we've gone through lots of issues with it, but we're still going! I have to pump four times on weekdays and twice a day on weekends, but I also have over 1000 oz in the freezer so I'm hoping I can quit pumping at 11 months or so and still not need formula.

katie6/26/04

This is my second and I'm not in a hurry to start foods with her. I'm actually sad that she won't be totally kept alive by me once she starts. we are waiting until at least 6 months. I bf'ed ds until 15 months, so i hope to go at least as long this time. He chose to stop on his terms, which was actually perfect for both if us. I hope it is as easy of a transition with dd. I an enjoying bf'ing so much more this time and feel much more relaxed. It has been special for both of us.

Smartie26

We are still EBF & my ultimate goal is 24 months or whenever my baby weans herself. I love the moments spent nursing her though, I wonder if I'll be the crazy Mom who is nursing her 8 year old... I can't imagine how I'll feel when she weans! 

08summerbride

Still EBF here. I hate pumping at work and can't imagine continuing for the next 6 months, but the few times I tried formula DS projectile vommitted and the pedi said I would probably have to do nutramagin which is both expensive and disgusting. So I am back to extra pumping sessions at night, fenugreek, and pumping every 2 hours at work, in hopes thst I can keep going without having to use any formula.

NDarya

My LO is 4 1/2 months and EBF, no solids. Pedi said to try solids at 6 months when he is ready. So far it's been pretty easy for me as I'm a SAHM and don't need to pump often, only when I go out. I don't have a particular goal we'll see how it goes.