Bottle feeding breastmilk... instead of nursing

KLamonica1 · June 2010

Am I weird?

Does anyone does this?

If I delivered tomorrow... this would be my #1 choice.

Pump and bottle feed my breast milk.

Let me know your thoughts! Thanks bunches!

Princessn678 · June 2010

Its a lot of work, but I do it since DD would not latch.

robinsokj · June 2010

Nursing would be so much easier. I pump and feed and wish I didn't

dulcinea03 · June 2010

I pumped and bottle fed for the first month due to my girls' NICU stay and latch issues. I won't lie- it was HARD. I was pumping/feeding 1.5-2 hours out of every 3. That was with DH helping me with one baby. Honestly, had the girls not grown out of their latch issues, we probably would be FFers now.

I still pump at work, and will pump one side at night while nursing one girl on the other side (DH will bottle feed the other twin when she wakes up). Other than that, they both BF and we're all much happier than we were in the beginning.

PAmiler82 · June 2010

There are reasons people end up EPing (exclusive pumping) - sometimes it's a choice and sometimes it's chance (LO won't latch, NICU, etc).

Most people I've talked to and seen on here will agree that traditional BFing is the easier choice in the long run. It takes time and energy to pump the milk out, clean up, wash bottles, and then you've still go to feed LO.

Most people suggest trying to BF first - since you can't know until you try and it's easiest for baby to learn to latch from birth. If you change your mind it's much simpler to switch to pumping than to try to switch back to breast.

All that being said, every one has their reasons for choosing one thing over another. If it's what you want and you are aware of the work, go for it!

vettechick99 · June 2010

I guess I'm one of the few people that liked pumping. I mean it's not as "easy" as formula feeding, but it's BM. More valuable than gold. LOL

I EP because it fit better with our lifestyle (and BFing was really hard and painful for me). It's a choice and no you are not weird for wanting to do it. All that matters is that baby gets fed!

StephE623 · June 2010

I EP and in the beginning I had my moments where I wished I could have gotten DD on the breast but that's just not what our feeding relationship was going to be like. Now I am completely comfortable with pumping and I enjoy the freedom it gives me (others can feed DD, I pump less times than DD eats). It's a lot of work though, but it's worth it if you feel strongly about giving your LO breast milk.

nlvaden · June 2010

It is A LOT of work. You need to be prepared. I have been doing that instead of just BFing since she was a month old. Get a good, really good pump. I have a lansinoh double electric affinity and I love it.

norman25 · June 2010

I EP because I gave up trying to breastfeed. I like the freedom. For me, it has recently become really easy and barely a hassle at all. I am happy with it.

Polofsky · June 2010

I EP and have since the beginning. We tried BF'ing but DD wouldn't latch and after a week, it was just too much work to feed one one way and the other another way. That being said, I do wish that nursing had worked out. Especially in the beginning, I felt like all I ever did was pump...now I do it 5x a day so its not as bad...but still. I'm always washing bottles, nipples, pump parts, I have to lug the pump bag everywhere with me and when we're out we have to make sure we keep bottles cold and make sure we have somewhere to warm them up (and just FYI...more places have those automatic sinks...which sucks for trying to warm a bottle!!!). Good luck!!!

AwBeth · June 2010

Exclusive pumping is alot of work and although it wasn't my first choice, I really like it now. I will send you a private message with a huge list of tips and resources. A friend of mine just switching to EPing, and I made it for her. Good luck!!

Angela814 · June 2010

I nursed DD for just over 3 years so I was totally committed to bfing.

I don't think I would have lasted long pumping exclusively. Pumping is hard. It was easier to do while I was working, but it was nearly impossible while I was still trying to care for DD on maternity leave. It's going to be harder to keep your supply up while pumping too.

There are a lot of women who do it, who I'm sure can give you a better explanation of what it's really like.

evitawylie · June 2010

I tried BFing for 3-4 weeks and DD was not too happy with it. She'd keep falling asleep and wasn't eating enough (my flow may also have been too slow for her). She'd wake up and scream for more food, so I was relegated to the couch pretty much all day. It was frustrating for both of us.

Since I switched to pumping (we supplement with formula at night), both DD and I have been much happier. Cleaning pump parts and bottles is no fun, but it feels good to know that my daughter is getting breast milk most of the day.

Good luck - it's tough, but do what works best for you and your family!

erincon8 · June 2010

AwBeth:
Exclusive pumping is alot of work and although it wasn't my first choice, I really like it now. I will send you a private message with a huge list of tips and resources. A friend of mine just switching to EPing, and I made it for her. Good luck!!

Would you mind sending me this list too?? I'm probably going to EP. Thanks!

Jmg120 · June 2010

I would love to see your list too! I've been EP'ing for over 6 months and trying to decide if I want to continue. Thank you!

Jmg120 · June 2010

I've been doing it for over 6 months and in the beginning I was always so stressed because it was a lot of work! I pretty much have a routine now, pump when I get up, pump 2x at work and one more time when I get home. It is a lot of hassle, but I have 3 older kids and with our busy schedules it works best for me. Plus I have the freedom to go out shopping and stuff alone and my DS can stay home with daddy. I still do BF at night sometimes. More so lately because I've meet my 6 month goal and I'm trying to decide if I want to continue. I'm having a hard time with the decision. Good luck with whatever you decide!

rhondakovar · June 2010

AwBeth:
Exclusive pumping is alot of work and although it wasn't my first choice, I really like it now. I will send you a private message with a huge list of tips and resources. A friend of mine just switching to EPing, and I made it for her. Good luck!!

I would love to see your list, too! EPing is my first choice right now, but I'd like to know what I'm getting into.

Thanks!

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