Moms: What made you decide to BF or FF?

AMT1107

What made you decide to breast feed or formula feed (if you were able to breast feed)?

 

Adel26

Aside from the obvious healthier for the baby, blah blah blah, that everyone already knows, the money savings was a huge factor in my decision to BF. I also liked the idea of being able to personally feed my baby. I liked the idea of that kind of closeness. I'm also lazy, so I didn't want to have to bother with bottles. Especially cleaning them!

pazrana

I BF until 7 1/2 months when my supply took a major dive.  I'm glad I did it, but honestly I think I beat myself up too much about not continuing.  DD was sensitive to all dairy at that point and it was a PITA to second guess everything I ate. 

ownedby3

I agree with everything PP said!  I figured I'd give it a shot and if it worked great, if not, no big deal.  We also supplemented 1 bottle of formula per day because she was tiny from the start and not gaining too quickly so she had both from the first week and never had any issues.

Kellogg06

DC2London:

This!  All of this!  Plus it was so easy to take him out places when he was a newborn.  FF friends of mine had to lug along 5 or 6 bottles, while I just had to bring my boobs and a receiving blanket.   

DC Congrats!! I lurk on BOTB and "know" you from there.

turtlerun

I wanted to BF for all of the reasons above.  That being said it just didn't work for me.  I was living in an area with very little resourses including a lactation consultant and I could not get my DS to latch or properly drink.  I eneded up exclusively pumping for 4 months until it just became too much between that and moving across many different states, staying in an extended stay, ect.  I resorted to formula feeding and it went well.  It reduced the stress that I was having related to BFing but the guilt over not feeding my baby the "good" milk was tough.  When it comes down to it you have to do what is best for you and your family.  For me it ended up being formula.  Hopefully this time I can make the BFing work

emiannie

I was a FF Mom.  I didn't produce enough milk for him...and he lost a 7th of his body weight before we left the hospital and he was almost unable to come home with me.  We started formula to get his weight up some before we left the hospital.  Then I pumped for 2 weeks before abandoning it. 

With baby #2, I'm not even trying.  It was the most stressful part of the entire newborn stage and I was insanely anxious about it.  I'm not going to put myself or my baby through that again.  I applaud the ladies who are able to BF...but it's not for me.  

I had no trouble taking my newborn places when he was teeny.  Just pack bottles.  My son is perfectly healthy and very intelligent...so not being BF didn't "harm" him like everything you'll read will make you believe.

carlinlp

It's really about nutrition for me. There are ingredients in formula that our family would just not ever consume. If I'm unable to bf #4 for any reason I'd look to buying donor milk or I'd make my own formula as outlined in the book nourishing traditions. 

daronsmommy

I wanted to BF for personal reasons...the bond, being the only one who could feed him, etc. I ended up having thyroid issues and was unable to continue BF around 3 months. My good friend had a baby 5 weeks before me and was producing milk like crazy, she ended up donating her BM so DS was able to drink mostly BM for 9 months. I was so blessed. Hopefully this time around since the know I'm prone to thyroid problems we will get the meds figured out quicker and I'll be able to BF. Advice for first time moms who are BF and supply seems to be low: get your thyroid checked!

Mrs.RockyM

turtlerun:

I wanted to BF for all of the reasons above.  That being said it just didn't work for me.  I was living in an area with very little resourses including a lactation consultant and I could not get my DS to latch or properly drink.  I eneded up exclusively pumping for 4 months until it just became too much between that and moving across many different states, staying in an extended stay, ect.  I resorted to formula feeding and it went well.  It reduced the stress that I was having related to BFing but the guilt over not feeding my baby the "good" milk was tough.  When it comes down to it you have to do what is best for you and your family.  For me it ended up being formula.  Hopefully this time I can make the BFing work

Pretty much this, except DD wasn't exclusively fed breast milk - I was only able to pump about half of her supply and the rest was formula.  Most doctors will say that its really all about what works best for your family.  I'll try BFing again as much as I can the next time around, but if it doesn't work, I won't beat myself up about it.

Cooper81

Personally I think BM is better, more natural, etc for baby.  I would never knock a mothers choice to FF though, happy mom=happy baby and whatever you need to do to get to that point is fine.  The fact that it was free was also a deciding factor. My pump, a Medela PISA, was about $200, and maybe $20 in freezer storage bags (I never really had a big freezer stash, but typically pumped what my son needed each day).  My mom actually bought the pump as a gift so we didn't even incur that cost. It was also easier to just whip out the boob whenever we were away from home rather than carry formula and water and have to heat up a bottle.  I pumped and BF'ed until 12 months.  It can be a PITA to pump at work, but I would bring work with me while pumping so that I could minimize time that was considered a break.

I always tell friends that are expecting to give it a try (unless there is a medical reason they cannont BF) for a few weeks and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't.  Don't feel guilty, we all do what we need to, to keep our families happy and healthy and to get through each day.

clussyK

emiannie:

I was a FF Mom.  I didn't produce enough milk for him...and he lost a 7th of his body weight before we left the hospital and he was almost unable to come home with me.  We started formula to get his weight up some before we left the hospital.  Then I pumped for 2 weeks before abandoning it. 

With baby #2, I'm not even trying.  It was the most stressful part of the entire newborn stage and I was insanely anxious about it.  I'm not going to put myself or my baby through that again.  I applaud the ladies who are able to BF...but it's not for me.  

I had no trouble taking my newborn places when he was teeny.  Just pack bottles.  My son is perfectly healthy and very intelligent...so not being BF didn't "harm" him like everything you'll read will make you believe.

I definitely get this perspective. I was able to BF for 3 months but had to start supplementing around 2.5 months and with the pumping, her not latching well, mastitis, supply issues, etc... I ended up feeling close to a nervous break down. It was one of the most conflicting stressful times of my life and I started resenting the act of BFing and feeling totally inferior. This time around though, I'm going to try to work more closely w/a lactation consultant and hopefully I'll have a better go at it but if not, I'm not going to put myself through what I did last time.

hislady922

There was no question that I would breastfeed. The health benefits for both me and LO, as well as the savings vs. buying formula was a no-brainer for us.

Today, we are happily formula feeding since my supply dropped drastically after becoming pregnant again.  I am not one for all of those supplements to increase supply so we gradually made the switch.

alaskabride2be

BFing just felt natural to me and formula never even crossed my mind as an option for my DS. We had latch issues due to flat nipples, but a breast shield fixed that. I was able to nurse my son until he was 26 months old using the shield the entire time. Once he turned a year, he usually only nursed in the morning and before bed.

 

Edited for spelling

Mom2Mack1

I BF for 1 week and then switched to formula.  Like pp said happy mom=happy baby.  I felt like I was feeding her 24/7, and it was exhausting.  Once I switched I was much happier!

PnJ Mooney

It was something DH and I wanted from the beginning and it's FREE! DS is still nursing but mainly to sleep and for comfort.  I found that nursing was so nice after he turned 1.  When nothing else relaxed or calmed him, nursing was so helpful.

rhodesign

DC2London:

This is one of those debates that will always rage all over The Bump boards, but the bottom line is that everyone needs to feed their baby.  Educate yourself about your options, make the decision that is right for YOU and YOUR family, then be confident in your decision.  Don't let anybody make you feel like you need to defend your decision either way.

 

You are so correct!

And...am I shallow for saying I want to BF so I can lose weight faster? Cuz that's totally true. Well, aside from all the blah blah benefits for baby, of course. =P

TexasBlueBell

I agree with everything pp have said! Happy mom = happy baby. 

My personal experience, I decided to try it and it worked so well. Easy and free. I never found it to be beautiful and bonding, etc. I always thought it was very awkward, but the benefits were great! I bf until 6 months when I got food poisoning and the flu and severe dehydration and my supply tanked! Otherwise, i would have done it longer. Paying for formula sucked! 

Mouseygail

I decided that I had been lugging around these damn boobs for 32 years, so I might as well give them a whirl and see if they worked for what they were meant for.  Health benefits for both he and I, as well as cost savings factored it for me as well! 

I'm not going to lie...I wasn't one of those people who loved nursing.  And I HATE pumping with every fiber of my being (which makes it tough on a working mom...) but I'm still glad I did it.  It was very challenging, painful, stressful, etc...but I'm glad that I did it.  And while the freedom of bottle feeding is very very tempting this time around, I know that I will give it another try and hope to avoid some of the pitfalls we had the first time around (bottle aversion, sucky supply, etc).  

Cooper81

rhodesign:

DC2London:

This is one of those debates that will always rage all over The Bump boards, but the bottom line is that everyone needs to feed their baby.  Educate yourself about your options, make the decision that is right for YOU and YOUR family, then be confident in your decision.  Don't let anybody make you feel like you need to defend your decision either way.

 

You are so correct!

And...am I shallow for saying I want to BF so I can lose weight faster? Cuz that's totally true. Well, aside from all the blah blah benefits for baby, of course. =P

I wish it helped me drop the weight, but it didn't.  If I actually tried to limit my calorie intake, my supply tanked.  So while i didn't gain weight BFing, I definately didn't loose any.

kg_08

I decided to BF because I feel like it's the healthiest thing for mother and baby, and because it was free. Plus I'm a SAHM so I wouldn't be struggling with pumping all the time, which is kind of a pain in the butt.

Honestly though, I can't say I really enjoyed it. I never had that "bonding experience" everyone talks about. It was just something to do. I was very grateful I didn't have problems breastfeeding and we could feed her for free, but I'm not gonna lie, I was happy to wean her.

ffejsGirl

I decided with DS I was just going to try it. Luckily for me it was easy and I fell in love with it, the bonding, the ease and the cost. My supply tanked with both kids when I returned to work and we supplemented with formula until I was completely dry then switched to 100% formula. I absolutely hate pumping but it's the necessity of the working mom. I'll definitely breastfeed #3. Hopefully for at least a year. I encourage everyone to at least try it.

Raspberry807

I tried it with #1 and gave up after 3 weeks due to soreness, exhaustion and mastitis.  With #2 I decided to push through and give it 4 weeks before I made a decision to stop, and we made it 3 months before my supply tanked due to work stress (tax season).  It was so so so amazing to see my chubby happy 3-month old and know it was all me.

I'm shooting for 6 months this time.  Partly because of cost, but mostly because it's what I want to do.

BananaBlitz

FF was not an option for me.

I loved nursing DD. It was a huge source of pride for me, to see her growing and thriving because of me. I loved the bond and the closeness. I pumped at work, which I hated, but it was all worth it. We nursed for about 13 months, until my supply dried up. 

lovesgummies

I did bf, mostly because I thought, well, that's what they're for. I can't say I really called it bonding but it was eventually nice relaxing time. I had to use a shield the while time as well. What you might not hear all the time is that at first it can HURT. Cracking, bleeding, worst pain I've ever felt. Everyone said it would go away, but for me it never did. After a few teary calls to lactation consultants and the shield, we found what worked for us and made it 12 months. I don't want to scare anyone but just don't be discouraged if its not as easy as we can be led to believe.

Michi2325

I FF my first, I was young and thought, "but her Dad wont get to feed her" and I was a bit nervous.  In the end,  Dad rarely fed her so when #2 came along 5 years had passed and I was more comfortable with trying.  I BF my son for just over 2 years and it was the best thing I ever did!  I had some minor issues here and there, but overall nursing was easy and convenient and worked out perfectly.  I without a doubt will nurse this next one, I wish that I had with my first, but in no way beat myself up about it, at the time I did what was best for me and she turned out just fine.

Temp6542037930005566

Alaskabride2be:

BFing just felt natural to me and formula never even crossed my mind as an option for my DS. We had latch issues due to flat nipples, but a breast shield fixed that. I was able to nurse my son until he was 26 months old using the shield the entire time. Once he turned a year, he usually only nursed in the morning and before bed.

 

Edited for spelling

 

this exactly. only  my DS self weaned at 14 months...I was prepared to go at least 18 months.

danienross

Breastfeeding was just something I knew I would try.  I also knew I would take it hard if things didn't work.  Of course there is nothing wrong with FF.  I just really wanted to BF.  Thankfully we're still going strong at 16mos.

Another deciding factor was that I went up two cup sizes during pregnancy and knew that the girls better serve a purpose.  Not having to buy formula or make bottles was also super nice.

Either way it's a super personal decision.  It can get overwhelming sharing your personal space.  BF can have challenges and is not for everyone. 

Atleighdan

Well, there are the health benifits for one. Money was another factor. We really did not want to spend money on formula. But the main reason was that I really wanted to BF Colby. We had a very difficult start and if I had not really wanted to BF, I think I would have just given up. After about a week or two things went great and I loved BF DS for 16 months! Pumping at work was sort of a pain, but I made it through. They actually just made a pumping room last month and I am really excited to have a designated area for that next time!

Rachelilly23

For me, BFing was just something everyone in my family did, so I felt like I had to do it. It's also FREE, so that was one of my biggest reasons. I EBFed for 6 months, and then just nursed DS morning and night until 9 months. Then I quit altogether since he just favored the bottle and no interest.

I will BF again to start off and we'll see how far we can go. I would've loved to make it to a year with DS, but he just didn't want to do it and wasn't getting anything at 9 months. I also had a lot of issues even getting him latched right in the beginning and dealt with Raynaud's, which was really painful.

If it wasn't considered "wrong" not to BF in my family, I probably would just go straight to FF after what I'd been through with DS. It was one of the biggest pain points of becoming a new mom for me simply because of how painful it was and how hard it was to get DS to cooperate. I do realize that every child is different, and perhaps I'll be more successful with it this time. We'll see how it goes, but I'm not going to beat myself up over it like I did after having to quit with DS.

KNemo

This is one of those decisions that is so personal and has so much emotion attached to it that there is no one-size fits all answer, except that every mama needs to do what's best for her and baby.

With that being said, breastfeeding was the best choice for us, both for nutrition and for bonding. I can't say that it was easy, and I had my fair share of struggles (over-supply issues, multiple infections, pain, etc.), but at about 3.5 months, everything clicked and I was so happy I stuck it out. I was able to successfully BF for 14.5 months, and I hope to go at least that long with number 2. I was truly heartbroken when he self-weaned, and I am so excited for that bond with our next little pumpkin! So far, it was one of my favorite parts about being a mama.

andysrose926

My mom thought I was crazy for wanting to BF because she didnt and it wasnt something that was popular when she was pregnant.   A big factor in deciding to was the cost.  We were going through a hard time financially.  Also, the benefits for both mom and baby are great. I did like the convenience of not having to lug around bottles and formula.  Very rarely did I pump because I was a SAHM so I didnt need to unless we were going to be away from DD. I will definitely be trying again this time. I just hope DD is comfortable with it and doesnt freak out or something..lol

irish city girl

I'm not really sure.  It's just something I always planned on doing.  My mom breastfed my sister and I so I just planned to do the same.  Plus all of the benefits and cost saving factors were influential as well.

tinytraxx

I was not able to breastfeed successfully and ended up feeding my son formula. I have both inverted nipples, and size G/H breasts. I was not able to feed my son without smothering him. Literally.  Even with the help of the LC I was not able to feed him without lying on my side topless on the bed, and encouraging a screaming baby to try and latch. This strain, as well as the baby blues and the constant "breast is best" mantra being forced down my throat by everyone, made it a MISERABLE experience.

I ended up pumping for 3 months and supplementing with formula. He was fed formula until he switched to whole milk a few weeks ago. What a relief. Once I was able to let go of the guilt from the constant badgering and judging, I was able to be the happy mom that my son deserves.

Whatever your decision, let it be your own. Let you and your child be your guide. Dont choose based on what the internet people tell you. If it works for you then thats the decision you should make. And FTR formula is not poison. Its not going to harm your child. Your child isnt going to be less smart or less healthy if he gets formula. Its all good in the end.

ladysaceb

I BF both boys while I could.  When I returned to work my supply tanked and we had to supplement with formula which ultimately turned into fully FFing them.  

I hope to be able to BF this time again, and hopefully for longer this time around.  I took off 6 weeks with DS1, 8 with DS2, and I'm hoping we will be able to save enough money for me to take the full 12 weeks that FMLA allows this time around.

I want to BF for the health reasons, it is "better" for baby and it helps to build antibodies.  It's also WAY cheaper.  If you haven't priced out formula yet, go take a look.  We used Up&Up formula with DS1 and 2 because of how much money we saved but it still expensive!

salesmom

emiannie:

I was a FF Mom.  I didn't produce enough milk for him...and he lost a 7th of his body weight before we left the hospital and he was almost unable to come home with me.  We started formula to get his weight up some before we left the hospital.  Then I pumped for 2 weeks before abandoning it. 

With baby #2, I'm not even trying.  It was the most stressful part of the entire newborn stage and I was insanely anxious about it.  I'm not going to put myself or my baby through that again.  I applaud the ladies who are able to BF...but it's not for me.  

I had no trouble taking my newborn places when he was teeny.  Just pack bottles.  My son is perfectly healthy and very intelligent...so not being BF didn't "harm" him like everything you'll read will make you believe.

 

Exact same thing.  For it being Natural, I found it to be the most unnatural thing for me. I tried BF for 2 weeks with DD but I wasn't producing enough and had inverted nipples.  DD and I were SO stressed out.  I told DH that if I didn't get the hang of it by the time he went back to work, I would start FF.  DD turned out just great (I was FF as well).  This time around I'm not even trying to BF. Since the nips havent changed, I am not going to stress myself of LO out unnecessarily.  Formula has come a long way.  I agree that if you can BF, GO FOR IT!  its free and easy for some but it is a very personal choice.

kmitch0303

I really wanted to, but it just didn't work for us. I never made enough milk. I tried for a month to increase my supply and gave up. I was so stressed out I didn't really get to enjoy that first month. DH doesn't even want me to try this time. I would like to give it a try and see if it works, but I have told myself I won't beat myself up if it doesn't work this time. DD is a perfectly healthy child.

kegerator

I pretty much went into breastfeeding knowing i would hate it, and I did. There was absolutely nothing I liked about and I was miserable. I felt no extra bond or closeness by doing so. For this one I haven't put much thought into it.

blueraine00

Mom2Mack1:

I BF for 1 week and then switched to formula.  Like pp said happy mom=happy baby.  I felt like I was feeding her 24/7, and it was exhausting.  Once I switched I was much happier!

 

This sounds almost identical to my situation! 

cubberss

It was never a question for me.  I really, really struggled to BF DD, but was determined to do it (and I had great support).  It took us 4 weeks of pumping and finger feeding to finally get her on the breast.  Then she nursed for almost 18 months and self-weaned two days before DS was born.

I'm still nursing DS, and will continue to do so until he self weans.  I will nurse this LO as well. 

lindsay.lou

For me, there was no question I would BF my son for at least 6 months and that decision was based completely on the health benefits for the baby (and me) and for the decrease in SIDS risk associated with BFing.