January 2013 Moms
tailanis
member
FF vs BF
tailanis
member
.
[Poll]~Caleb~ If i could have a lifetime wish,
a dream that would come true,
I'd pray to God with all my heart,
for yesterday and you. D&E 8/24/2012 EDD 1/28/2013
___________________________________________________
This discussion has been closed.
Re: FF vs BF
Our house building adventure (UPDATED 8/20/12)
Wedding Planning Bio
Our wedding blogged! (Click Brad & Briana on the right side)
BFP#2: 8/14/11 M/C 8/30/11 6w1d
BFP #3: 10/26/11
Beta #1 @11dpo: 22 Beta #2 @13dpo: 90 Beta #3 @17dpo: 480
Missed m/c 12w3d 12/28/11, d&c 12/30/11
dx Homozygous C677T MTHFR
1/12/13 DD was born
4/9/16 DS was born
9/17 CP
6/23/18 BFP EDD 3/4/19
I will breastfeed if possible.
Last time I planned to BF, but was unable to produce milk. Like... none despite many, many efforts. That's not very common though and I'm *hoping* that it was situational.
As long as I'm actually able to produce milk this time I will BF. If not, I guess we'll have to go the formula route again. I'm a huge proponent of BF and all it's wonders for mom and baby, but we were so, so lucky in that DS did great on formula. It seems like everyone else, but us, had trouble with their baby taking formula (and then had tummy problems and reflux and had to switch to specialty formulas, etc.) and we are so thankful that DS took so well to it!
So, FX that the boobies produce this time and if not, let's hope for another LO who does well on formula!
ETA: Advice from a STM to FTMs - nursing is a natural process, but it's harder than you might think! I'd recommend doing some research beforehand about the process and problems you might encounter and how to get past those problems. BF'ing is definitely nothing I researched much while PG last time and especially because we had problems we had to learn a lot about it right away. I wish I had done some reading beforehand so I would have been more prepared! Even if everything goes beautifully there is usually at least a little bit of a learning curve and knowledge is power after all
*My Blog*
10/50 Read
my read shelf:
It depends, with DS I had to start to add some formula in between breastfeeding after just one week and switch to FF completely at 6 weeks because I didn't have any more milk; my sister had to start giving formula to her DD while they were still at the hospital and her milk never arrived, so I guess the poor milk production runs in the family
I'll try to BF but if it doesn't happen oh well, I won't sweat it
blog
Diagnosed hypothyroidism.
I breastfed my son up until 7 months until pumping at work got to be too hard and then stopped. I also supplemented him with formula sometimes (1 bottle a day or less)
This time I hope to exclusively BF until 3-6 months, then introduce solids but continue BFing as well, until 1 year.
I just wanted to say that while breastfeeding is definitely much harder than I expected in the beginning that if you stick to it long enough, it actually becomes easier than bottle feeding. Now I know that sometimes there are things that are out of your control (mastits, not producing etc) but the initial challenges such as frequent nursing (which becomes exhausting in the beginning when you're the sole person able to feed), latching issues, cracked nipples or pain when nursing etc... all get easier as baby gets older. Your baby gets better at nursing, you start producing more milk, your nipples adjust etc. I had planned to only nurse to 6 weeks.
I was adamant that I would do it til then and couldn't wait for that time to come so I could quit. I struggled with all of the issues I mentioned above and it was really really tough. But then when 6 weeks came, things were so much easier - so much that I decided to keep going until it wasn't working out anymore.
When we did eventually wean, I was surprised to find out how much MORE work it was to bottle feed full time. Buy formula, prepare bottles, feed, burp, wash bottles. Versus just feed & burp.
I'm really excited to go in to it again with experience this time and a little better idea of what to expect. Sorry for writing a novel!!
Tyler (10/29/08)
and Lily (4/21/13)
Me too
I am super impressed by all of you wonderful ladies intending to give BF a try!
LIke PPs have said, it can be tough in the beginning, just stick it out if you can and you will be richly rewarded. I EBF ( with a bit of pumping) DD until 6 months. I was devestated to stop at that point (especially b/c I thought she'd be my last) but she was a big time biter and I wanted to keep my nipples. Do your research, know what you're getting into and be sure to make use of the lactation specialist in the hospital. GL to all of you!
Definitely! Not to mention the cost. I know it seems a lot easier to pop a bottle in their mouth at the beginning, but long term it's really kind of a PITA!
*My Blog*
10/50 Read
my read shelf:
I BF DS until 14 months. I stopped pumping at work at 12 months. Never supplemented. I hope to do the same for this next LO.
I agree w/PP who mentioned that those of you who want to BF to make sure you do research. It isn't as "easy and natural" as you might think. Those first few weeks are HARD. I'm talking about sitting on your couch crying and telling your husband to go to the store and get formula b/c you ain't doing this anymore hard. Thankfully DH was so supportive and didn't cave to my request. He told me that if I still felt like quitting after a week then I could.
kellymom.com is a great resource. GL to all.
I exclusively BF DD until a year old. It was not easy. I worked full time and spent every break and lunch hour pumping. The first 6 weeks were hell. I had mastitis and had to have surgery. I nursed an hour after surgery, it was more painful then childbirth, but I was determined to keep at it. I actually miss BFing and can't wait to start again.
With that being said, I don't look down on people for FF. BF is not for everyone and a lot of people can't do it. You have to choose what is right for you and your LO.
I'm not trying to sound snarky, but those that said "not sure" and "I will try" will probably end up FF. (I gave my kid formula after 6 months of pumping a dropping supply, I don't think it's horrible or anything).
I would suggest doing a little research and getting help right off the hop if you need too. Many women do not understand that BF is supply and demand. If you don't have something sucking, you are not going to make milk, the more sucking, the more milk you get. So, yes, sometimes giving a few formula bottles in the first few weeks can really hinder your ability to BF because you are not telling your body to make milk, so it doesn't. Everytime your baby needs to eat, you need to put it to the breast, and even then it can be hard to get your supply up sometimes. Also, BF babies need very little milk in the beginging, we are talking just a few drops sometimes. So people will pump and think "I have no milk" I can't feed my kid, but that is not the case, BM is much more consintrated than formula. So a formula fed baby might have a whole 2 oz, where as a newborn would need much less BM than that.
Lastly, it is very rare that a women makes no milk. If your body can get pregnant and grow a baby for 9 months, it's not likely that once it's born your body then fails and is not able to feed that baby. However, it does happen, which is why IMO it's a good idea to get help right from the begining so that the odds are in your favour.
I TTA! When we switched to formula I was like what the heck this is a lot of work! When she'd wake in the night I had to make a bottle, then warm a bottle, then feed her, all while she was crying, instead of just skipping all that and BF. Also, formula never made my kid sleep longer, that is such a myth, if anything she was up more because of spitting up, formula isn't as natural to digest.
I see what you're saying. I just think as a FTM it's best for me to say I'm going to try, rather than maybe naively saying "yes I'm going to definitely breastfeed for x months" when I know how challenging it can be.
I definitely agree with doing as much research and learning as you can before starting to hopefully increase your chances of success.
I breastfed DS for 14 months (I'm a SAHM, which definitely made things easier in that department). I plan to do the same with this baby.
I don't foresee anything that would stop me, but from watching a close girlfriend struggle with breastfeeding I know that some aspects are out of my control. I hope things work out as well for me this time as they did last time!
I BF my daughter for 15 months, but it was not easy at all! I went back to work full time as a teacher when she was 3 months old, andt by the grace of God (and an amazing teaching who could cover my class) I actually was able to work 2 pumping sessions into my schedule. If it had not been for that I wouldn't have been able to continue after going back to work. My supply also dropped when I went back so I did have to supplement for a couple of months once my frozen stash ran out.
I am so thankful that I will be a SAHM this time around so I don't have to worry about pumping every day. For those of you wanting to BF I agree with everyone who said to do your research, get help, and don't give up. It is so hard the first few weeks. I cried and cried and wanted to give up but I stuck it out and I'm glad I did. I wanted to go longer with Lauren, but at 15 months she still wasn't STTN, so I had to wean her before I lost my mind completely. Hopefully this baby will be easier in that regard.
I was one of those moms who said "I'll try", but I really didn't have an idea of how it would go. No one in my family had ever breastfed (I mean, I guess further back they did, but not my mom, aunts, sister, etc.
) and I just didn't know much about it. What I did was say was that I'd commit to 6 weeks because one of the things I did know going in is that the first few weeks are the hardest and then things get easier. I feel like setting a time limit gives you a chance to try it out and then make an informed decision at a later time as to whether it's something you want to continue because there definitely are hurdles at the beginning.
I tried and tried for 2 weeks and it hurt and it was hard and demanding, but honestly, what I didn't forsee before DS was actually born was how much I was going to want the process to work out! It's like, the instant your LO is born they really change your perspective on things. Or at least that's what happened to me
Unfortunately, I really was unable to produce milk despite trying multiple different techniques and we had trouble with DS taking a bottle of formula because he wanted to "nurse". 2 weeks later DS was still dropping weight because we just weren't able to get enough food in him by supplementing with formula in a syringe and we had to admit that at that point, my milk wasn't coming!
But, overall, I think "I'll try" is positive. Even if it doesn't work out, every bit of mother's milk that a baby gets is a positive thing, especially those first few days of colostrum!
*My Blog*
10/50 Read
my read shelf:
I agree mostly.
Breastfeeding in hard, especially in the beginning. You have to be committed 100% and hit the ground running with it right from the start. You can't give up just because you're tired or it takes forever to get the baby to latch or it hurts. Of course it's hurts! You have a baby sucking on you for hours! When DS was a newborn, it would sometimes take 30 minutes to get him to latch. One time, we tried for an hour before realizing that he needed to burp first.
I went in with the attitude of "you're going to breastfeed, child," and I never let the the thought of formula enter my mind, even when DS spent two days in the hospital for jaundice.
Now, I've known people who really do try their hardest and just aren't able to, especially if the baby has a health issue. I'm not saying that bfing is right for everyone, but I do think that almost everyone can do it.
Me three!
BFP #2 12/20/11 | EDD 8/24/12 | Natural M/C 12/22/11
BFP #3 5/13/12 (Mother's Day!) | EDD 1/23/13 | Natural M/C 6/9/12 (blighted ovum discovered 6/7/12 at 7w1d)
"And to think when their little eyes opened, the first thing they saw was the face of Jesus."
My Ovulation Chart | My Baby Name List
This is exactly how I feel.You have to be very very commited. I am still very upset that I didn't reach my 1 year goal, but this is also why I understand that "things happen". I went to work for 6 weeks when DD was 3 weeks old, and I pumped for her. She ended up after a while refusing to nurse because a bottle was easier. Once I started staying home "the damage was done" so to speak, so I pumped. I didn't have a great pump and my supply ended up slipping, I tried everything to incease it. Finally at around 6 months when I was up for the 3rd time that night pumping (not even to feed my baby) just to have enough to feed her the next day, I thought I'm going to have to give her some formula I can't do this forever. So after many tears DD started getting some formula. It didn't kill her, or me.
i agree with all of this for the most part. i think there's always a line between being committed to what you're going to do, and being flexible if it truly doesn't work. but for me--things like BFing, CDing, and natural childbirth--when those got hard i really had to reach inside and grab a hold of why i was really doing it. what was my true reason? that's what got me through.
all that to say, i plan to BF again.
I was never able to get my LO to latch, so I EPed with him until about a month ago, when I got pregnant again and had a huge supply drop. It was really tough towards the end since he would grab the tubes and fight with them every time I pumped in front of him.
I really hope I am able to get my next LO to latch, because I don't see EPing working so well while being harassed by the "pump inspector" (as DH calls LO). One thing I will do differently is hold out a little longer on bottle feeding in the hospital. There was a lot of pressure to give formula right away, and I think he quickly learned the bottle was much easier to feed from.
Don't bottle feed at the hospital at all! I was in the hospital for 5 days and not once did anyone suggest bottle feeding. You need to tell all of the nurses to back the eff off. If you're committed to bfing, you need to avoid the bottle for at least a few weeks. DS got jaundice so I was separated from him overnight, but he was fed breast milk through a syringe the one feeding we were separated (I had pre-eclampsia, so I couldn't stay at the hospital and sleep in a chair.)
I will be breastfeeding until 12 months at least. I did with DD and * knock on wood* she's been very healthy.
This is if all goes well, of course. BFing is the hardest thing I've ever done which turned into extremely easy.
Danica 10.22.10 | Milo 12.23.12