Do you formula feed?

Bump Jackie · May 2013

We want to hear from you: Was it a personal choice to formula feed? Or was it something you and your partner decided together? Is there a reason you didn't breastfeed? Did milk not come in? Medical choice?

thatoneredhead · May 2013

We really wanted to. I have some physical reasons why it didnt work. I do think someone less sensitive could have made it work, so that gives me a little guilt pangs. I gave it the best shot I could hande.

ClandestineX · May 2013

I wanted to exclusively breast feed, the first few weeks went well, he gained the appropriate amount. At his one month check up he was then below his birth weight again, so I had to supplement. I thought he was getting enough, but turns out he was burning more calories getting the milk.

As of right now I breastfeed first then give him an additional 3-4oz of cereal formula for reflux. He gained 1 1/2 lbs in a week after I supplemented and right now at 8 weeks he is 11lbs.

teralane · May 2013

I unfortunately wasn't producing milk, so I wasn't able to breastfeed.

lkm2006 · May 2013

With DS1 I really wanted to but he was born at 36 weeks and only 5 pounds so getting him to eat was a struggle. We switched to formula almost immediately because he took to a bottle and I didn't want to pump.

I wanted to give it a try again with DS2 because I knew it should be easier. He latched right away and did great nursing but I hated it. I hated how long it took, how often it was and really, just it overall. I was much happier when I switched and actually felt like I could better bond with my baby.. I didn't have to dread feeding him anymore.

My husband could care less what our child is fed, as long as we are all healthy and happy.

mello13 · May 2013

LO isn't here yet, but I will be formula feeding. It is both a personal choice for me, and something I discussed with DH. I have never felt the desire to breast feed, I even feel a slight sense of dread whenever I think about it, and DH's greatest concern is that the baby is fed & cared for, not where the meal comes from. He does like that he will be able to feed the baby as well. I discussed this with my doctor and given my history of depression she thinks this will actually be better for me AND baby. Baby will be well cared for, I will feel less "trapped", DH can be more involved and PPD will be less likely as a result. Additionally, I was formula fed (as were many, many people of my generation) and I am comfortable making that choice for my children as well. I would never judge a woman for the way she chooses to feed her child (breast, pumping, formula, etc). I believe each person needs to do what is best for their health and their family.

tashadee75 · May 2013

I wanted to breast feed when I was pregnant. Honestly when LO arrived he had a good latch. But at the time he had torticollis and I didn't know it so positioning him was very frustrating for me and him both. Because of this frustration I began supplementing and pumping. Frankly when I saw how full and satisfied LO would seem with the formula, I kinda wanted to keep formula feeding him. I slowly lost interest in pumping and eventually LO became formula fed only.

The only guilt I felt was the cost of formula for DH because we decided that I would stay home for about a year so we only have one income. Some people would probably think I should feel guilty for not feeling guilty...LOL But I don't. He is one healthy happy growing baby and I am one awesome mom! ;-)

RachelLaree20 · May 2013

I feed exclusively breast milk because my daughter throws up formula every time but she won't latch properly yet (I'm still working on it with a lactation consultant though) so I pump and bottle feed her which works for us because then my bf can also feed her and no one feels left out.

chimneygrl · May 2013

We had a rough start and nothing came in until day 6. So we formula fed until I got my milk in. Then he was eating every hour on the hour for weeks. I decided that since I was going back to work, then I will only pump. Started to pump a week before I went back to work and was getting enough for only two bottles. Then I went back to work and I was pumping about 5 times a day and only getting two ounces. I knew then that it was time to stop. I gave him two months of my milk.

leahstarrh · May 2013

Mine was actually a personal choice. I breastfed for 2 months and really just wasn't cut out for it. It was mentally and physically draining for me and baby was constantly hungry and would projectile vomit.

I struggled with guilt and first, but now we are both much happier and I'm glad I made the choice I did.

Dolls2011 · May 2013

I was on the fence when it came to breastfeeding. I knew it would be a huge commitment and I wasn't sure I was comfortable with doing it. I finally decided to try breastfeeding for at least the first few weeks and see how it went. However, I ended up having some very last minute medical issues and delivered my son via emergency c section. I was on some heavy meds for the first 24 hours and could barely function never mind trying to breastfeed. After that, the rest of the hospital stay was sort of overwhelming with trying to deal with my issues that I just decided to formula feed. I'm very okay with my decision to not try since I was so uncomfortable with the thought of it to begin with.

InkedMegs · May 2013

We FF. I really wanted to BF, but after my unscheduled C-section, the PP time in the hospital made it very difficult. I had taken a BF-ing class and I thought I was prepared, but I wasn't.

I received very little support from the nursing staff during this time. I had no idea that I was not feeding often enough and not doing things correctly. It took almost an entire day to receive a nipple shield to help feed. I was told a breast pump was on its way; my MIL found the pump in the hallway outside of my room -- the nurse never brought it into the room. It doesn't help that the hospital LC doesn't see you until just before discharge

By my second night, the baby was dehydrated and wasn't peeing. There were urate crystals in her diaper. She had lost 8% of her birth weight. My DH and I decided at that time to FF. When my milk came in, I tried again to get LO to nurse, but it just wasn't working. Pumping was also not successful. It was extremely frustrating and there were a lot of tears.

We were EFF from that point and it took a few weeks to make peace with that. My pediatrician finally made me feel best when she said, "We don't care either way. A happy mom and a happy baby are most important."

If I had it to do over again, I would have seen a LC not affiliated with the hospital. But, between healing from the C-section and newborn exhaustion, it was all too much at the time.

megandscott07 · May 2013

My son is almost 8 weeks and I just started formula today after trying everything to exclusively breastfeed. I have a supply issue and tried prescriptions, herbs, pumping, but nothing was able to increase my supply enough for my son. I decided to end the madness but it was truly the hardest decision of my life. I am trying to be happy that I was able to give my son breastmilk for the first two months of his life, but it is really hard when you see 'breast is best' everywhere, you're made to view formula as poison and just feel like you're letting your child down. But for some women it just doesn't work, unfortunately.

MrsJ723 · May 2013

Would it be possible to create a formula feeding board? There are many ladies with FF questions and I think a dedicated FF board would be helpful.

I never had an interest in BFing and my husband fully supported that, so it was a decision we made together.

aesthyerin · July 2013

I think a FF board would be awesome! For the support and just to be able to talk to others easily who do the same thing. I started out wanting to ebf but dd came 4werks early and was not able to figure out latching. I started pumping right away and EPed for 6 weeks. It was horrible and stressful and felt like I never saw or hung out with her. My supply tanked and I started formula. I'm still pumping manually when I can but she is mostly ff. I don't like it and wish I could get her to latch now but I'm doing the best I can and she's happy.

Twinksmommy · July 2013

We FF. I really wanted to BF, but after my unscheduled C-section, the PP time in the hospital made it very difficult. I had taken a BF-ing class and I thought I was prepared, but I wasn't.
I received very little support from the nursing staff during this time. I had no idea that I was not feeding often enough and not doing things correctly. It took almost an entire day to receive a nipple shield to help feed. I was told a breast pump was on its way; my MIL found the pump in the hallway outside of my room -- the nurse never brought it into the room. It doesn't help that the hospital LC doesn't see you until just before discharge
By my second night, the baby was dehydrated and wasn't peeing. There were urate crystals in her diaper. She had lost 8% of her birth weight. My DH and I decided at that time to FF. When my milk came in, I tried again to get LO to nurse, but it just wasn't working. Pumping was also not successful. It was extremely frustrating and there were a lot of tears.
We were EFF from that point and it took a few weeks to make peace with that. My pediatrician finally made me feel best when she said, "We don't care either way. A happy mom and a happy baby are most important."
If I had it to do over again, I would have seen a LC not affiliated with the hospital. But, between healing from the C-section and newborn exhaustion, it was all too much at the time.

I could have written this word for word.... I had a strong desire to BF before LO was born, but she and I had a really hard time... She wasn't getting enough and I cried every time knowing she was frustrated... Since switching to FF, she is happy and healthy and I'm not a crazy emotional basket case!

kristina_1016 · July 2013

mello13 said:

LO isn't here yet, but I will be formula feeding. It is both a personal choice for me, and something I discussed with DH. I have never felt the desire to breast feed, I even feel a slight sense of dread whenever I think about it, and DH's greatest concern is that the baby is fed & cared for, not where the meal comes from. He does like that he will be able to feed the baby as well. I discussed this with my doctor and given my history of depression she thinks this will actually be better for me AND baby. Baby will be well cared for, I will feel less "trapped", DH can be more involved and PPD will be less likely as a result. Additionally, I was formula fed (as were many, many people of my generation) and I am comfortable making that choice for my children as well. I would never judge a woman for the way she chooses to feed her child (breast, pumping, formula, etc). I believe each person needs to do what is best for their health and their family.

You took the words out of my mouth. We EFF and I wish the bump had more info/boards about it.

Maelara · July 2013

I supplement with formula. It wasn't my choice as my supply isn't enough for LO.

memali26 · July 2013

I formula fed my first two, and will FF my third.

I tried BFing my first. She was a small baby, 6.5lbs, with a tiny little mouth and we had a terrible time getting her to latch at all, let alone correctly. When she did latch, she would not suck. The nurses gave me a million different directions on what/how I should be holding her, latching her, stimulating her to suck, and all of it was contradictory. The lactation consultant could only see me for a few minutes before she was "off duty" for the weekend and was not much help at all. When we went home, DD1 was still not eating, had not passed much of the meconium, and had lost 10% of her birth weight. We didn't know any better, so when they said we could go home, we did, which we now know was a mistake on both our part and the hospital's.

The day after coming home from the hospital I tried calling the LC for help. I begged for an appt, but the soonest she would see me was 2 weeks. In the meantime she wanted me to pump and feed. Of course she never instructed me on how to use the pump, so I was completely clueless trying to figure it out on my own. At this point DD1 was refusing to even attempt to latch, so we were offering formula while I tried desperately to pump. I tried every hour for the next 12 hours and never got a single drop of milk or colostrum. When we saw the pediatrician on day 5, DD1 was barely back above 6lbs, jaundiced, dehydrated, and lethargic despite our supplementing. Since the LC still wouldn't see me, we gave up. We put her on a strict every 2 hour feeding schedule for 2 weeks with weight checks and she finally passed meconium and started wetting enough diapers. I returned my rented hospital pump, left the LC and her supervisor a message expressing how extremely disappointed and unhappy I was with the care they offered, and moved on to being a proud formula feeder.

I was diagnosed with PPD within weeks, and my drs believe the stress and guilt of my supposed "failure" to BF contributed to the PPD. In light of all of that, DH and I decided together to formula feed #2 and now #3. It is what is best for our family, for my mental health. My girls are smart, wonderful, amazing little girls who are no worse off for being formula fed.

pantsarella · July 2013

skleigh said:

I dont ff, but I'm seriously considering it and experiencing huge mom guilt for it. I dont enjoy bf; in fact I dread our feedings. The cluster feedings are exhausting and I'm barely getting any sleep. I shouldnt feel dread for caring for my son. I cry when he nurses in my arms. I'm going to try to give it a few more weeks. I wish this came easier for me.

I could have written this word for word. We've been heavily supplementing with formula because my milk just came in yesterday (dd is 10 days old) and she was jaundice in the hospital and they wanted her eliminating as much as possible. Since birth, she would latch but not suck consistently and we worked with 3 LCs who left us with "we can't fix this, sorry". Every feeding is frustrating except those that are just formula. Everyone is telling me to stick with it, so I'm trying but it's exhausting and stressful.

sassygal29 · July 2013

I do. We tried BF but do to a reduction 14 years ago, I couldn't produce near enough

trudibell · July 2013

I also had a reduction years ago so BF has been difficult.

The LC I had talked to me right after I woke up from my c-section. I was in and out the whole time she was talking to me about BF so I don't really remember what she said. During the first week of life my son lost over a pound and was extremely fussy - even though I would spend 7+ hours doing nothing but trying to nurse him!

So now I nurse my 6 week old for about 5-10 minutes per side. I get about 6-8 oz a day from pumping, which I feed him and supplement the rest with formula, so at best he gets 1/3 of his food from formula. I tried weaning him from the breast but he got really upset, we might revisit that issue in a few weeks.

I wanted to BF, but my situation makes it so the best I can do is this, and I'm keeping track of how much pumped milk of mine he gets as a percentage of his total diet and once that slips below 20% we'll probably go for only formula. I felt terrible about the fact I couldn't, but I know I am doing all I can to get him as much of the BM as possible.

Sar29est · August 2013

DH and I both agreed that we wanted DS to be breastfed. However, I never produced milk so we had to turn to formula feeding. I took it very hard...cried for the first couple days but then realized that I had no control over it and had to do what was best for everyone

DiFazette · August 2013

We switched to formula right at 3 months. Prior to that our son was fed pumped breast milk. He was a preemie and unable to attempt breastfeeding for about 3 weeks. Once we attempted, he could only last a short amount of time due to his size and we couldn't let him burn more calories trying to eat than he was taking in. He got used to the flow of the bottle, and not having to "work" for his food and when he was finally big and strong enough to take a good feeding from the breast, he was not willing to work that hard.

I pumped until 3 months and stopped for 2 reasons - time on the pump (4+ hours a day) that I'd rather spend with my family and my transition back to work. I was only pumping enough to keep 1 feeding ahead... there was no way I could provide 4 bottles per day to daycare.

He's happy and I'm happy that I get to spend more time with him, and less with my pump.

kimmy42 · August 2013

I intended to breastfeed but my lo had different plans. My older daughter refused to take a bottle, no matter what was in it. I breastfeed her for about 2 years, my milk supply was more than enough for her so I had no reason to think it would be different this time. However, my milk did not come in this time. My lo would not latch and caused us much stress and frustration. I switched to the bottle and started ff. She's healthy and we're both happy and comfortable.

MrsLaurenAsh · August 2013

kristina_1016 said:

mello13 said:

LO isn't here yet, but I will be formula feeding. It is both a personal choice for me, and something I discussed with DH. I have never felt the desire to breast feed, I even feel a slight sense of dread whenever I think about it, and DH's greatest concern is that the baby is fed & cared for, not where the meal comes from. He does like that he will be able to feed the baby as well. I discussed this with my doctor and given my history of depression she thinks this will actually be better for me AND baby. Baby will be well cared for, I will feel less "trapped", DH can be more involved and PPD will be less likely as a result. Additionally, I was formula fed (as were many, many people of my generation) and I am comfortable making that choice for my children as well. I would never judge a woman for the way she chooses to feed her child (breast, pumping, formula, etc). I believe each person needs to do what is best for their health and their family.

You took the words out of my mouth. We EFF and I wish the bump had more info/boards about it.

This!

MrsAuby · August 2013

MrsLaurenAsh said:

mello13 said:

LO isn't here yet, but I will be formula feeding. It is both a personal choice for me, and something I discussed with DH. I have never felt the desire to breast feed, I even feel a slight sense of dread whenever I think about it, and DH's greatest concern is that the baby is fed & cared for, not where the meal comes from. He does like that he will be able to feed the baby as well. I discussed this with my doctor and given my history of depression she thinks this will actually be better for me AND baby. Baby will be well cared for, I will feel less "trapped", DH can be more involved and PPD will be less likely as a result. Additionally, I was formula fed (as were many, many people of my generation) and I am comfortable making that choice for my children as well. I would never judge a woman for the way she chooses to feed her child (breast, pumping, formula, etc). I believe each person needs to do what is best for their health and their family.

You took the words out of my mouth. We EFF and I wish the bump had more info/boards about it.
This!

This for me too!

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