Non breastfeeding Moms?

laceyjaep

I had to have a breast reduction at the age of 19 due to pain and complications with my breasts. Because of this I cannot produce milk. (I tried for a very long time with my first.) Just curious if there are other moms out there bottle feeding from the start? I sometimes felt very judged by people for not breast feeding my first - even though I physically couldn't.

happyfeet2015

I bottle fed my first and I will this one too I never have wanted to breastfeed but that's my personal preference.

csy2947

I'm not going to breastfeed! I like knowing there are others out there too ☺

For me its a host of personal reasons so I don't even have a good excuse. I think people should be much less judgy! Most of us moms were formula fed and we're doing alright!

deanna1313

I agree with you guys! I hate all the criticism out there!!!
I breast fed my son for almost 4 mths. He took to it well and I think I would have done better with it if I didn't have PPD. It really made my problems worse and I would have produced more milk if I had been doing better.

Breastfeeding is hard!!! There is no shame in choosing to formula feed at all. We all turned out great on formula!

CCasey2015

I formula feed my first 3 children & I will be formula feeding this little bundle as well. To each as own.... I agree with @csy2947 people shouldn't be so judgmental.

McRad

As long as baby is healthy, happy, and has a full belly, I'm completely neutral on the issue. I don't understand moms throwing jabs for others decisions.
Happy healthy baby is all that anyone should have concerns about, not if their food comes from a boob or a bottle.

heatherhd87

I bottle fed my first from the start and will with this one too. It's funny the Drs were totally supportive and said with how advanced formula is these days the nutritional value of breast milk is not better. The only judgment I got was from other moms lol. My son has been very healthy and is very advanced. Not to mention it make night time feedings really nice because we both get more sleep.

lanaloulittle

This is my first and I will be bottle feeding from day 1. I am bipolar and off all medication during pregnancy, but with such an increased risk for PPD I am not leaving the hospital until I am back on all my meds. Unfortunately the medicine that I am going to be using is not safe during breastfeeding. I know there are other medicines out there that can be okay, but I have a combo that works for me and kept me awesome for 3 years after a year of playing around with other medicines. I'd rather be safe and happy and there for the baby than miserable and risk having to be hospitalized and not there for the baby. I feel with how far formula has come that my baby will be healthy and happy.

ryn21

I am sorry u guys feel judge and made to feel like bad parents we are all trying to do our best weather it be with a boob or a bottle.big deal! I think bottle feeding would be a hard option extra cost washing up etc not to mention everyone putting their 2 cents in. Wish people would realise your child is still feed you are still doing your job. Good luck I hope this stigma to bottle feeding is soon a thing of the past.

sbeltre

I had a breast reduction 2 years ago and they said it was a 50/50 shot that I would be able to breast feed. I coudnt with my first because I was so large and it was uncomfortable.

They said 50/50 because they didn't actually remove my nipple or anything attached underneath. They cut around it. So I hope I can.

millette2015

I'm a FTM who will have to bottle feed - I'm on medications that aren't safe for the baby because of epilepsy. I have to be honest, I'm disappointed I won't be able to breastfeed, but am just glad there is another option for our babies to still get the food they need.

Do any veteran bottle feeders have recommendations for formula brands? Or are they all pretty much the same?

tdenen

I attempted to nurse with my first and many things went wrong, for example I didn't produce enough milk, I got two horrible infections, he wanted to eat every hour and 45 minutes for an hour so I had 45 minutes between each feeding and this caused some severe PPB. I was in pain and felt inadequate since I wasn't producing for 6 weeks when I finally gave up and went to strictly formula. I was instantly happier and my little man start gaining weight at a healthier pace. Because of this I'm going to start with formula on day one this time, and though other moms shame me for this, I know it's the right decision for my family and me.

rue:D

I have some personal reasons as well, but one of the biggest reasons I have decided not to BF is because we're having twins, and my husband will be a SAHD while I go back to work. I want him to be able to feed the kids just as easily as I can, and I'd rather be spending quality time with them rather than pumping all the time! I don't give a crap what other people think...I'm making the decision for my family and no one else can do that!

FatPony

Thank god for this post. I knew my body wouldn't be happy pregnant (you know those women that LOVE being pregnant? Yah, not me). So I'm suspicious about breast feeding. A good option for others but I don't know if it will sit too well with my body. I like my hormones nice and regular.

Glad I'm not the only one that may not breastfeed!

deanna1313

@millette2015 most would probably disagree, but we use Target brand formula. My dr said to buy it because the ingredients are identical to more expensive brands.

deanna1313

@lanaloulittle sounds like your making a very smart decision for you and your baby.

aah1013

millette2015 said:

I'm a FTM who will have to bottle feed - I'm on medications that aren't safe for the baby because of epilepsy. I have to be honest, I'm disappointed I won't be able to breastfeed, but am just glad there is another option for our babies to still get the food they need.

Do any veteran bottle feeders have recommendations for formula brands? Or are they all pretty much the same?

We had to go through, I think, 3-4 different formulas before we found one that worked for my daughter. My rec is to always buy the smallest size available first, because you never know if that particular type will work fir your baby. Formula is super expensive and it's great if you can save here or there.
If you end up using Similac, you can sign up for coupons and they mail them fairly often ($5-$10 off).

StephN310

I had a friend who had a breast reduction. Her milk never came in with the first pregnancy after reduction. With her second pregnancy after reduction it did, and she breast fed without problem for 2 years. Milk ducts can regrow and pregnancy really helps to stimulate that.

I used Target brand formula with both my kids with no issues. It is exactly the same and cheaper. I never had to switch brands but I didn't start using formula until they were 8-9 months old. They were well past that sensitive newborn stomach age.

MissRN09

I am a ftm. I Hope to breastfeed but if not successful I am 100% ok with formula feeding!

bbiutmcph

I attempted BF with my first and was miserable.  My Son was not thriving, he was losing weight I was having a rough recovery with an emergency c-section and I became depressed.  I went to FF and soon it was a happy baby and happy mom.  I went straight to FF with my second and it was a night and day experience all around.  I plan to FF with this one and am confident with my decision.

mrsdawnjoy

I'm planning to give breast feeding a try but I don't feel strongly about it. I'm totally comfortable using formula, too.

HereWeGoAgain29

We used Target's Up & Up brand formula for my daughter because the ingredients were exactly the same as Enfamil. She's a healthy, smart, energetic five year old. You gotta do what works best for you, and not give a damn what other mom's think.

jenboston22

OP, I plan to breastfeed, but I just wanted to say how sorry I am about your inability to produce milk; it is unfortunate that you do not even get to make that choice. I suggest that if a stranger says something negative to you, that you mention that you have a medical condition -- that should have them backing off quick! Best wishes to you and your LO

(On a side note, I am generally very pro-breastfeeding, and I hope to breastfeed my LO for at least a year, or maybe two. But of course I realize that some women are not physically able to breastfeed, so it is great that we have the option to bottle feed when needed.)

laceyjaep

"I had a friend who had a breast reduction. Her milk never came in with the first pregnancy after reduction. With her second pregnancy after reduction it did, and she breast fed without problem for 2 years. Milk ducts can regrow and pregnancy really helps to stimulate that."

 

That's really interesting! I've never heard that. I will have to consider if it's worth a second attempt if this is the case. Thank you for mentioning!

spraklepea

lanaloulittle said:

This is my first and I will be bottle feeding from day 1. I am bipolar and off all medication during pregnancy, but with such an increased risk for PPD I am not leaving the hospital until I am back on all my meds. Unfortunately the medicine that I am going to be using is not safe during breastfeeding. I know there are other medicines out there that can be okay, but I have a combo that works for me and kept me awesome for 3 years after a year of playing around with other medicines. I'd rather be safe and happy and there for the baby than miserable and risk having to be hospitalized and not there for the baby. I feel with how far formula has come that my baby will be healthy and happy.

Totally makes sense to me. And in case no one else has mentioned this to you, sometimes when people go off a psych med (or combo) and then restart it later their bodies don't respond to it the same way. Just wanted to share this in case it doesn't work as well for you again so you'll have some context. Good luck!

Imangan

I am a FTM and 100% will only bottle feed, mainly for personal reasons and also I'd like my husband to be able to feed and bond with the baby whenever he wishes too.

I spoke to my midwife who was actually supportive and non judgmental about my choice she recommended a few formulas for me.

All of us mums will care and feed our babies in whichever way we choose I'm glad this post is out there to remove some of the stigma and pressure around breast feeding. At 19 weeks we have enough things to be dealing with, without being judged on our choices :-)

hdnetmro

I feel strongly about breast feeding and will be with ours I also feel strongly about not using most of any formulas that are found in the United States but it's my baby and that's what I have chosen to do and how I think. My SIL primarily BFd but milk is drying up and she tried all she could but it's not helping so at 3 months my nephew is now on formula - American brand formula and guess what I bought some for him and gave it to her because that's her baby and her choice. Its terrible how people treat one another about the different decisions we have. I get flack from people because of my views on American formula, the fact we are doing a more "Montessori" inspired nursery, are being very minimal when it comes to baby things, and also I'm very "crunchy" and making my own wipe spray, baby powder, etc to avoid all the yucky chemicals. Sometimes it feels like since I am doing more natural type choices that are not the norm people feel they can speak up more and tell me I'm crazy but if I was to say something about BF to a formula feeder I would be labeled as rude. As I said earlier I never would, I mean I would say what we plan to do and why if asked but I would never be judgemental about it , I just don't see the point. Hopefully everyone can find the right formula and way to raise baby for them . If BF doesn't work or I have to supplement I will be using Holle brand.

satori15

I loved BFing but I totally understand using formula too! I had to use some to supplement with DS and he's a healthy little guy. It was great to have for long car rides, letting DH feed the little guy, etc. I have friends who couldn't BF for whatever reason and formula is a perfectly ok way to go. I would never judge another mother for choosing not to BF.

lanaloulittle

@spraklepea

It's more that I take about 4 different medications and in the past I have tried the milder and safer medicines with no luck. So even if my combo of meds doesn't work this time, it is highly unlikely that taking the mild medicine will help. Or that all medicines in whatever combo I will need will work. At least, this is what I have discussed with my psychiatrist. We are starting to make my plan this week. But no matter what I won't leave the hospital without trying something. And then will be spending time at my parents house while we figure out what will work best. Luckily there are lots of psych meds out there and by not trying to breastfeed I open myself up to the ability to take whatever works for me without having any harm to the baby.

And who knows, I may be back on something before I even have the baby. That's one of the scary things about mental illness, you never know how long the good will stay around. I've been lucky so far making it 8 months with no problems.