BF: All the books said it was more convenient...

RooBear · June 2010

I BF and baby also gets one expressed bottle each day from Dad. I pump at the same time he gets his bottle (for the next day's bottle) and also have a pumping session each morning to build my freezer stash.

I love BF when we are at home because it is so easy but it is SUCH a pain when we are out of the house or I'm away from baby! I'm ok NIP sometimes but other times we are around people who I know would be uncomfortable no matter how discreet I am. I'm not interested in making my friends or family uncomfortable, so it isn't always an option. He's still eating every 3 hours and it takes him 45 minutes to eat so, once he finishes eating, I have about 2 hours to get out and get anything done. Any time we'll be out, I have to take a bottle or two (just in case he gets hungry early) and my pump to replace what he drinks out of the bottle.

On Sundays, for example, jus to go to church we're gone for one of his feedings and my morning pumping session, so I have to pump both on the way to church and on the way from church to lunch in the car...in church clothes.

Don't get me wrong, it's totally worth it. I'm just saying I haven't found much "convenient" about it! Am I overcomplicating this BF thing?

naturegirl417 · June 2010

Hahaha....I agree!

vettechick99 · June 2010

I never found BFing convenient. I much preferred pumping and giving her bottles.

Qmommy · June 2010

It's more convenient in the way that we don't have to wash bottles or mix formula all the time (especially during those midnight feedings). But you're right, it can be a PITA if you're out and about. At least for now when LO is so young and eating so frequently.

Aleacus · June 2010

No, BF ISNT more convenient... and pumping is still not very convenient. I love how the lactation specialist said in the hospital, "remember, there are NO drawbacks to breastfeeding..." and here I am, counting the ways! I already feel like a slacker supplementing with formula.

buffalo_buckeye · June 2010

It is after you hit about 4-5 months. Right now it is totally a pita! I never understood why people only bf for 6 months bc it is so easy AFTER 6 months. I have only pumped to feed out once with dd (with ds I did it a lot more). I just don't care about what others think as much this time around. I'm not losing sleep or making ds wait for me to pump (he waits enough), and we definitely have to get out if the house and enjoy this beautiful weather

carrotcake06 · June 2010

I think you're over complicating things. I find pumping & giving a bottle to be a huge PITA but whipping out a boob is easy. Your LO will become a much more efficient eater & nurse in 15 min or less. Sometimes I'm uncomfortable NIPing too, so I go to my car or a secluded area. I had to NIP at an airport gate & it was awkward but pple can get over it & I'll never see them again. Maybe try to not be so regimented about pumping times - an hour either way won't ruin your supply.

CaitlinJ22 · June 2010

BFing alone is more convenient to me. Pumping, and bringing bottles is not.

NIP is a must for me, I used a cover with DS and didnt care what others thought. Of course i wanted to be in the conversation, so thats why I used a cover instead of leaving to another room. I think bottles are more tedious, cleaning, filling, bringing enough for the time you are out.

after 3 months old, BFing got a LOT easier and more mindless to just put him on whenever I needed.

FWIW DS ate every 3 hrs during thr day until he was 7 months old....then he slept 8-10 hrs at night though.

mrstarawalsh · June 2010

You're waaaay overcomplicating things. Breastfeeding IS more convienent by a long shot IF you NIP and don't pump often. Its a huge PITA if you bring bottles and pump.

Alexandra*sMom · June 2010

mrstarawalsh:
You're waaaay overcomplicating things. Breastfeeding IS more convienent by a long shot IF you NIP and don't pump often. Its a huge PITA if you bring bottles and pump.

Ditto. I BF and pumped w/ DD1. I worried all the time about bottles. DD2 & 3 I have just BF and it is SO much easier!

Jennicap · June 2010

Maybe I just don't give a crap what others think, BFing is natural and if anyone is bothered by my feeding my son they can leave the room. I feed him where ever and whenever he needs it and I do not consider anyone else around me when I do it. He is my top priority! I was at my stepsons graduation party this past weekend and I had a couple of his friends where looking but trying not to look kinda deal but that is b/c they see boobs as a sex symbol and not what nature intends them to be, a food source. They also probably didn't grow up seeing women BF their children so they are not used to seeing it. LO and I are both really good at being discreet, he's on super quick and you don't see anything.

teach2183 · June 2010

BF is very convenient, but I don't pump at all. In fact, I don't own a pump pr bottles this time. I have a cover for NIP, even at church. DD nursed for 18m and it was great when travelling to not have to worry about bottles.

taprehoda · June 2010

Totally agree. BFing is not convenient at all!!! I have to suppliment with formula due to low suppy. It is WAAAAAY more convenient to make a bottle, and she eats it a lot faster. Washing them doesn't take very long. I have enough that I only have to do it once/day. There is no way I would ever NIP either. Even though I am BFing, I would be uncomfortable seeing it myself.

lite-bright · June 2010

It gets more and more convenient as your baby gets older.

My DD1 rarely took more than 10 minutes per side to get what she needed. I would let her nurse longer -- once I got past the initial nipple pain -- but sometimes she'd eat even faster. DD2 is slower, especially at night, and likes to take her time -- but if I'm NIP, I tend not to just let her hang out to get completely full.

I never have to worry about packing bottles, keeping anything cold or clean, and never have to worry about running out of food. On airplanes, I've nursed to keep DD1's ear pressure from bothering her. And I loooove not having to pay for formula, I can tell you that!

I think with taking bottles and pumping while out to "replace what he drinks," you're making it harder than it has to be. I just nurse in my car if I can't find a good spot to NIP -- and if you're pumping anyway, you could nurse instead.

vegandy · June 2010

Maybe I'm just an assshole but if NIP makes someone uncomfortable, they can either get over it or be the ones to leave. It's not like I'm sitting with my boobs just hanging out, it's discreet & I won't be the one to go hide when my son needs to eat. That said, pumping & bottles are what's a PITA & that's why we don't do it yet. I think bf'ing him whenever he is hungry is super easy. He takes 10 minutes to nurse & then he's done.

Jennicap · June 2010

just to compare BFing and bottle feeding. My DH takes care of LO at night while I work. He says a feeding session usually last at least 30-45 mins between warming the milk, making the bottle, feeding him, burping him (more often due to the air in the bottle) and then cleaning up afterwards. and he has to do this again if DS is still hungry and he didn't take enough milk out of the freezer! I take DS in my arms whip out my boob and in about 10 mins he is done and my boob is mine again and one burp after each boob is all that is required... so 10 mins vs. 45 mins... ummm

oh and I can feed one handed and still type or do whatever with my other hand if need be. I've even sucessfully nursed nohanded in my moby but it made me nervous so I still supported his head. DH has to use two hands all the time! one to hold him and one to hold the bottle!

taprehoda · June 2010

Jennicap:

just to compare BFing and bottle feeding. My DH takes care of LO at night while I work. He says a feeding session usually last at least 30-45 mins between warming the milk, making the bottle, feeding him, burping him (more often due to the air in the bottle) and then cleaning up afterwards. and he has to do this again if DS is still hungry and he didn't take enough milk out of the freezer! I take DS in my arms whip out my boob and in about 10 mins he is done and my boob is mine again and one burp after each boob is all that is required... so 10 mins vs. 45 mins... ummm

oh and I can feed one handed and still type or do whatever with my other hand if need be. I've even sucessfully nursed nohanded in my moby but it made me nervous so I still supported his head. DH has to use two hands all the time! one to hold him and one to hold the bottle!

Whoa, your DH must be doing something wrong, or maybe your LO doesn't like taking a bottle. It takes DD 15 min tops to drink a bottle. Making one takes like 2 seconds. I don't warm mine. She will take it warm, room temp, or cold. Also, I wash all of my bottles once/day. BFing takes my DD a lot longer, at least 20 min/side.

soko987 · June 2010

mrstarawalsh:
You're waaaay overcomplicating things. Breastfeeding IS more convienent by a long shot IF you NIP and don't pump often. Its a huge PITA if you bring bottles and pump.

Right. Because everyone has the exact same experiences and thoughts when it comes to breastfeeding.

If she feels it's inconvenient for her, then it's inconvenient for her. End of story.

AbJams · June 2010

vegandy:
Maybe I'm just an assshole but if NIP makes someone uncomfortable, they can either get over it or be the ones to leave. It's not like I'm sitting with my boobs just hanging out, it's discreet & I won't be the one to go hide when my son needs to eat. That said, pumping & bottles are what's a PITA & that's why we don't do it yet. I think bf'ing him whenever he is hungry is super easy. He takes 10 minutes to nurse & then he's done.

If your an ahole then so am I because I totally agree. I do find BFing kind of inconvenient when I am somewhere that I can't just sit down for a long while because DD takes way longer than 10 minutes, but I have no problem NIP, or in front of ANYONE. I have nursed in front of my DAD for goodness sakes. Today at a BBQ I nursed in front of 4 male acquaintences and no one was freaking out about it. They weren't sitting there watching me, and I sure as hell didn't ask anyone's permission. I honestly think that if you aren't going to be comfortable NIP, at least occasionally, then no, bf'ing isn't going to be that convenient. But I don't think that mixing/pumping bottles, worrying about keeping them/getting them to the right temp, finding a spot to give the bottle and all that is that convenient either. Neither is finding a placeto change a diaper or having to comfor your kid when they start wailing in the supermarket. Now that I'm thinking about this... I don't think ANYTHING about taking an infant out in public is convenient!

Waiting_4_Little_O · June 2010

I wish I could BF more! I have little to no breastmilk, max is 1 oz from both breasts combined. Tried everything to get it to increase, no luck. I hate FF, I hate the smell, I hate making it, washing bottles etc, Just everything about it I hate, except for the fact that it is providing nourishment for DD. Even though DD is getting very little from me I still BF. I enjoy the bonding, and knowing I am giving her what I can. She is really starting to refuse the boob latelly though, breaks my heart to know my nursing days are numbered

mrstarawalsh · June 2010

soko987:
mrstarawalsh:
You're waaaay overcomplicating things. Breastfeeding IS more convienent by a long shot IF you NIP and don't pump often. Its a huge PITA if you bring bottles and pump.

Right. Because everyone has the exact same experiences and thoughts when it comes to breastfeeding.

If she feels it's inconvenient for her, then it's inconvenient for her. End of story.

As I said, its more convieenent IF you do it how I do, which she obviously does not. I don't pump in order to go out, nor do I drag around bottles so of course its more convienent for me than it is for her. I've done it her way (pumping, dragging bottles around, pumping to make up for a missed feeding). It sucks and its complicated.

MWoodside · June 2010

I feel like if it makes people uncomfortable then that's their problem. If I am using a cover they are not seeing anything anyway.

wildfloweragain · June 2010

Nursing is not too inconvenient for me, except that if I'm at a function without her I have to be back in 3 hours or I will have to pump because she will need to eat.

I hate pumping and try to avoid it if I can plan it that way. Being out with her is not that big a deal because I will nurse in the car or a quiet place, but between the functions for my other kids and being in the pool for swimming lessons, etc. it can be hard.

If you have a lot of help from others I guess I could see formula being easier because other people can do all of that but they can't nurse OR punp for you.

mrstarawalsh · June 2010

vegandy:
Maybe I'm just an assshole but if NIP makes someone uncomfortable, they can either get over it or be the ones to leave. It's not like I'm sitting with my boobs just hanging out, it's discreet & I won't be the one to go hide when my son needs to eat. That said, pumping & bottles are what's a PITA & that's why we don't do it yet. I think bf'ing him whenever he is hungry is super easy. He takes 10 minutes to nurse & then he's done.

I'm the same. I'm super discreet while BFing and someone's gotta be looking really hard to be offended. I had to supplement w/ DS. He would NOT take a cold bottle. So between tracking down warm water, mixing formula, keeping a bib under his chin so leaks won't get anywhere going out was a PITA. I used to pump for DD in the early weeks while we were getting latching down (she was a preemie and too weak to latch) thank God DH drove me everywhere, otherwise the whole feeding thing would take twice as long when out. Soooo much easier to just whip the boob out, cover up, and go on my way. I can also NIP handsfree in my hotsling. Nothing like doing grocery shopping while feeding your baby and keeping a toddler entertained. Def. Something that's impossible to do if you're strapped to a pump and bottle.

thehimwithher · June 2010

buffalo_buckeye:
It is after you hit about 4-5 months. Right now it is totally a pita! I never understood why people only bf for 6 months bc it is so easy AFTER 6 months. I have only pumped to feed out once with dd (with ds I did it a lot more). I just don't care about what others think as much this time around. I'm not losing sleep or making ds wait for me to pump (he waits enough), and we definitely have to get out if the house and enjoy this beautiful weather

amen! it is so much work imo the first 6 months but then after that it's awsome AND FINALLY more convenient.

LaurenVW · June 2010

I am in the BF is a PITA boat. LO has not regained her birth weight yet at 3 weeks. I have to pump after every feeding and DH has to give that to her after her next feeding. PITA. All I'm doing is nursing and pumping. LO is a grazer and takes FOREVER to nurse. She keeps falling asleep. She drinks a bottle much faster. We also had latch issues early on because I was so swollen from IV fluids. It was so frustrating. When my nipples are sore I would give anything to just give her a bottle of formula but I'm holding out. As for NIP, I cover up and don't care what people think. I mean....I'm covered and it's so commonplace nowadays. I think we're lucky we're in the breast is best era. Not too long ago, women were called unprogressive for wanting to breastfeed. Hospitals pushed formula on women. I dream about formula everyday. haha I want to breastfeed as long as I can but it def is a PITA . Now if my nipples were never swollen, LO was at birth weight, I didn't have to pump to supplement and LO could feed in under 20 minutes I might sing a different tune.

bakedlaurabean · June 2010

I think it's really inconvenient too because DS eats every two hours, so whenever I go out I always have to be thinking about where I can BF once I'm out. Plus, sometimes he is a super fussy BFer, so that makes NIP really hard. And he takes 30-45 minutes to NIP and takes about 10 min on the bottle. It's inconvenient to plan outings around his eating schedule. I hope it gets better!

RooBear · June 2010

I understand it is much easier if you are comfortable NIP everywhere but I am not always and I know that is a self-imposed problem. One of the things that really makes it difficult is that it usually takes him 45 minutes or more to nurse, yet he'll take a bottle in 10 minutes. Is there anything I can try to get him to nurse quicker?

BFab11 · June 2010

I just NIP, under a cover. I've found that I can walk and nurse if I need to, so it's no big deal. I pump once or twice a day for my freezer, and so DH can do a night feeding now and then. I don't really care who I'm around, if my baby needs to eat I'm gonna feed him.

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