Those of you who have FF and BF which is easier?

misses625

I'm struggling with breastfeeding.  It's getting a little better everyday, though.  I FF DS, but I can't really remember much from the beginning.  I know we had a lot of trouble adjusting...like everyone does with an infant.  What do you think is easier, though?  Making formula bottles or just breastfeeding?

Jen2124

I tried to BF for weeks...didn't work..so I'm not the best one to ask (plus I had twins), BUT I thought ff was easier in the aspect of being able to have others help (ie taking turns getting up, etc).

If i was going to be doing the feeding regardless, I can see how BF could be easier at times. I think it depends on the person too though bc I know some people who say BF was super easy for them and some who say it was really a struggle.

goodheartedmommy

Once you get through the initial hard part of breastfeeding, it's so much easier.

butterbeansmama

goodheartedmommy:

Once you get through the initial hard part of breastfeeding, it's so much easier.

Agreed.

soontobemrs.S

ff was annoying bc of the clean up and whatnot but IMO it was easier. Dd had no patience for nursing so I pumped for a month (plus supplemented with formula) and that just about was the end of me with a colicky/refluxy newborn. Exclusive pumpers, God bless you!!

shopgirl78

I FF DD due to latch issues.

I BF DS for 15 months.  

I think BFing is easier in almost all situations except being out and about.  We don't live in a progressive area where its popular to NIP and also DH is uncomfortable with it.  He things everyone is looking at my boobs.   

hopefulmom

BF and definitely cheaper!

squishywife

i've done both.  bf-ing was FAR easier once everything was settled.  far, far easier!  the first 6-8 weeks were rough (just constant nursing), but after that it was smooth sailing.

the only tough part was pumping at work. i hated that. 

after doing both (dd1 - ff and dd2 - bf-ed for 14 mons) i will bf my next child until they are 12

REOM

I started FFing my second DD at 11 months. I struggled with supply issues for those entire 11 months. I was constantly worried if I drank enough water, took supplements/pills, wore a sports bra, etc, etc, etc

It was so much easier for me to relax once I started to FF, although I was a bit sad

JOEBunny

I have done both for DD.  BF is easier.  Your baby is still really new (congrats).  With DD, the 1st 6 weeks were hard (pumping, BF and FF at every feeding), but after that, super easy.

wellfleet04

I have never FF, but I BFed Kate for 14.5 months and BF Ben and I have never found it "easy."  It got LOTS better after the first 8 wks or so with Kate, and after the first 3ish weeks with Ben, but I feel very tied to the baby, I am the one who does all night wakings, both my kids were/are allergic to dairy and I had to alter my diet, etc.  BFing is important to me, so I make it work, but FF seems easier to me in the sense that anyone can feed the baby, you can keep track of quantities, etc. 

Brewster

Jen2124:

I tried to BF for weeks...didn't work..so I'm not the best one to ask (plus I had twins), BUT I thought ff was easier in the aspect of being able to have others help (ie taking turns getting up, etc).

This, minus the twins.  I gave it 1 month with Noah and 1 week with Maren.  I am happier ff.  I like that I can go and do and not have to worry about having to get stuck out and need to nurse.  (I am not a NIP person.  Fine for others, not for me.)  I hear people say how FF is so much work.  Really, I don't think it is at all though.

true_norskie

I shouldn't answer because I never FF, but BF gets so much easier once you feel like you're ready to throw in the towel.  I had short-term goals, six weeks--then it got easier, three months--then it got easier, six months--then it got easier...

After six months, making it to a year has been super easy with both girls.  Once they start eating solids it gets tons easier to be okay that they are full, then we started slowing introducing whole milk, to the point where it replaced a bottle/feeding at 11 mos.

FWIW, it was HARD for a longer time with DD1 and DD2 came out a pro at BFing, so my opinion is biased with DD2's ease in mind.  It was harder for a lot longer with DD1.

I'm totally in the "a happy mother has a happy child" camp!  So do what is best for you!

juniper19

I did both with dd and I ebf my ds.  It is very nice not to have to worry about bottles and formula when you are out - it is much easier to be spontaneous with plans.  It is also nice not to fumble with bottles in the middle of the night.

But I find that being tethered to ds (he's now 11 months) is emotionally and physically exhausting.  Yes you can pump and someone else can give a bottle, but you still have to be available a lot of the time (or near a pump).

I would still ebf my ds again, but that is because of the emotional payback I get from bfing.  But if we're just talking about what is easier, I would say FF.

goldenprincess

I BF DS and I FF DD.  I would have to say that I finf FF'ing easier.  I never produced much BM thought so it was always a challenge.

 

Chrisy-Wyobride

Easier?  Formula Feeding IMO.  I've done both totally--DD#1 was FF (she never latched at all) & DD#2 (& now DD#3) was EBF.  Formula I could just feed her when hungry.  I never worried about how much she was eating, if it was enough, if she was crying because she's hungry or something else, if my boob was showing out in public, if my baby was at home crying because she wouldn't take a bottle,  having to be around to feed her, etc.  But BF is cheaper & no bottles to wash but otherwise was much harder for me than FF.  Also when I BF (both my younger girls) I never experienced PPD like I did w/ FF...not sure if they are related but it was a plus IMO of BFing.

LeisureSuitLauren

FF for me.  I have done both.  FF is less taxing emotionally and physically. My babies seemed happier when FF too.

shopgirl78

Chrisy-Wyobride:

Easier?  Formula Feeding IMO.  I've done both totally--DD#1 was FF (she never latched at all) & DD#2 (& now DD#3) was EBF.  Formula I could just feed her when hungry.  I never worried about how much she was eating, if it was enough, if she was crying because she's hungry or something else, if my boob was showing out in public, if my baby was at home crying because she wouldn't take a bottle,  having to be around to feed her, etc.  But BF is cheaper & no bottles to wash but otherwise was much harder for me than FF.  Also when I BF (both my younger girls) I never experienced PPD like I did w/ FF...not sure if they are related but it was a plus IMO of BFing.

Oh yeah, I had no baby blues after DS (BF).  The crying and emotions I had after DD (FF) were horrible!   Its worth that alone for me to BF again!

LestaMarie

I mostly breastfed my kids, so I'm probably not the best persont to respond.  But if you can stick with breastfeeding, hang in there.  I think it is SO much easier.  It's always available, you never have to make a bottle in the middle of the night, and it is free!  That said, I would also get your little one used to drinking from a bottle, and throwing a formula bottle in between breastfeedings here and there when you need to isn't going to hurt your baby (it'll hurt your boobs more...they'll be dying to feed your baby later. ).