If you tried to breastfeed...

Re: If you tried to breastfeed...

• laurenshay member

  August 2009

  No flames from me.

  Try it and if it doesn't work then switch to formula.  Even if you only do it until you go back to work, that is better than nothing.  Those 6 weeks will do amazing things for your baby's immune system. 

  I only BF for 6 weeks.  My supply tanked.  I could have done things to pump it up, but this happened with DS and it took a lot of work to up my supply.  Being at work and having to do that is nearly impossible. 

  Do what feels right for you and baby.  Don't let others make this desicion for you.

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• loquita1

  August 2009

  I attempted soooo badly and had little. I would say try to breastfeed as much as you can if possible cause every little bit counts. I dried up around 2 1/2 months. If you feel you don't feel like doing it, just try for a week to get all the good stuff to the baby. But do ask about formulas and bottles cause I had no idea about these things

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• FD

  August 2009

  From my personal experience- it's awesome bf'ing. However, there are plenty of great reasons to formula-feed. I figure, why not try bf'ing and see how it goes? If it doesn't work, you can always formula feed. If you can't pump, then at least you bf'd while you could. I was kind of in your situation where I was really worried I wouldn't be able to do it. Just educate yourself- take a bf'ing class, and give it your best shot. Why are you making up your mind that you won't be able to do it? You won't know until you try. If I were in your situation, I would BF for my mat leave. If you can't pump, I would then switch to formula.

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• Lulu0802 member

  August 2009

  1.  Breastfeeding is hard, I'm not going to lie.  But it's the best thing you can do for your baby.  Whether you do it for 8 hours, 8 days, or 8 weeks, it will benefit your LO.

  2.  Formula feeding is not "easy".  You will still have to mix formula, heat bottles, and clean bottles.

  3.  Even if you can't pump at work you may still be able to BF in the morning and at night.  Your supply should be pretty much established by the time you go back to work so you might be able to make it work.

  4.  No matter which feeding method you choose, maternity leave (and parenthood in general) will be stressful and hard. 

  

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• HaveFaith08

  August 2009

  I read all the books, took a breastfeeding class, and worked with an LC and it still didn't work for me. I breastfeed exclusively for 2 weeks and then pumped for 2 weeks and then my supply totally dried up and we switched to formula. Each person has to make their own decision but it was a lot harder than I ever thought it was going to be and I don't believe I will try it again with my next baby. I felt defeated and was really emotional over the whole experience - if you try it then I wish you the best of luck. If you don't and go straight to formula, that is okay too and don't let anyone tell you it isn't. Do what is right for you and your LO. Good luck

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• DaisyAdair

  August 2009

  I don't regret trying.  I'm glad my insurance company covered the cost of my breastpump though....I'd have been pretty annoyed that I wasted that money!  That's why I always recommend renting, if you can, because you just never know.

  I went right to formula with DD3.  But, I tried with the other 2 and knew it wasn't going to work.  I saw no point in putting us all through that again.  

  But, no, I definitely don't regret trying.  It's not really a horror story if it doesn't work out.  Sometimes, it just doesn't and that's that. 

  Then, you wake up one day, and your baby is 2yrs old and strong and smart and you realize they're fine, regardless.

  My advice....don't buy a $400. breast pump right off the bat.  Rent, if you can.  Or, buy a cheap, manual pump. 

  My other advice...and this goes against everything they teach you about BFing...have formula in the house.  I didn't because, as they all say, you'll be "tempted" to use it.  In my case, I didn't have it, my DD screamed for close to 7hrs, I freaked out, took her to the pediatrician at 10pm, and the pediatrician looked her over, sat me down, and left the room.  I wondered what was wrong with my baby.  She came back with a bottle of formula and said, "Hun, she's starving."  I don't live in an area where I can run out and buy something at 10pm, so I felt like an idiot that I was starving my own baby.

  I beat myself up for months with my 1st when I stopped BFing.  Now, she's 2 and she's healthy and smart and strong and driving me nuts because she never stops talking or moving!  

  One thing I DO regret is letting it consume me to the point where I felt like a failure and missing out on that time when I could have just filled a bottle, fed her, and moved on with the relationship.  

  Good luck with whatever you decide!  Either way, you'll be fine and your baby will be fine. 
  

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• gizmo909

  August 2009

  I tried and it didn't work.  Mainly due to DS being a preemie and being in the NICU for 3 weeks.  Instead, I am pumping.  I'll admit, pumping is a PITA, but I know it's what's best for DS so I suck it up.  DS is mostly formula fed due to supply issues and him needing special preemie formula.  He only gets 2 breastmilk bottles per day and even those have to be fortified but as long as I am getting something, I'll continue to pump. 

  I don't regret trying and we still try on occasion.  DH and I just had the conversation about whether to continue trying tonight becuase it's so frustrating for both me and DS.  He ends up screaming at the top of his lungs and I end up crying.  We decided to continue trying for a bit longer since some of his issues might resolve as he gets older but if it continues the same way, we won't try anymore.  Afterall, a happy mommy is needed for a happy baby!   
  

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• jess478 member

  August 2009

  I attempted breastfeeding and I'm glad I did, but I ran into some issues.  My milk didn't come in for 7 days, LO was very close to having to go under the lights for his jaundice, and the stress of it all was taking its toll on me, DH, and DS.  I had to give him formula and he wasn't interested in going back.

  If I could go back in time I would continue to try to breastfeed and do everything I could to try to make it work.  Thinking about it actually makes me sad.  I'm not ashamed to formula feed, just sad that breastfeeding didn't work for us.  Sometimes I think I could have worked more at it, but it's too late now.  I am glad that DS got all that colostrum in his first week of life and he is definitely doing well on the formula.  

  I will definitely try to breastfeed my next LO.  Personally I would rather try it first than go straight to formula especially since there are benefits right from the beginning.  
  

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• gusabbey member

  August 2009

  I had my heart set on BFing from the beginning.  LO ended up coming early and was in the NICU and couldnt latch.  I have been pumping ever since.  I do admit that I dont feel I have the same bond as other mothers do. LO can get fed by anyone and its not something we share exclusively.  Other than that, I feel the late night feedings would take a whole lot less time if I could just pop him on there.  That being said...do whatever works best for you.  I think it is easy for some people, but we just dont hear from them because it was no big deal for them.  You only hear about the bad cases.  If I were you, I would def give it a try first...you never know!

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