Breastfed or formula? What are you giving your LO? (Kinda Long/ support needed)

prettyinpink84 · April 2014

I'm curious what other mommas are giving their new LO. I currently breast feed but when I go back to work in June, I will be doing formula during the day for daycare. So we are slowly weaning off the daytime feedings now. I am ok with this decision (I was upset at first though). Due to working 10-11 hr days in healthcare, there is no time to pump. I am aware of the "pumping law" but as my schedule is set in stone 6 mos ahead, it would be a HUGE, HUGE inconvenience to schedule in "pumping breaks". Sooo......

What are you giving your LO? Is it by choice to BF/formula? Are you ok with doing formula? What formula?

RedDawnsRevenge · April 2014

I pumped in the back bathroom of a level 3 trauma center for 19 months. You can do this! I will admit it was the most challenging thing I have ever done. When I was pregnant one of my team leads even told me it would be impossible. I showed up for work early and would pump and store my milk before the shift. If I was lucky I could get away for 15min twice a shift, other nights only once, and in the case of a bad MCI night not at all. I would have another nurse just check in on my PTs while I pumped. Then on my way home I pumped while driving. To save time pumping at work I refrigerated my parts so that I didn't have to wash between pumpings. Also I wore a bra with a built in pump bra (the LLI one if you are interested, but the Arden dairy fairy is fantastic). I portioned, bagged and labeled milk when I got home. If you need help let me know! I have other tricks up my sleeve! DD is 22 months and still BFing, it has truly been a labour of love.

erikaja6 · April 2014

I breastfed my son for one year and hope to do the same for his baby brother. I'd prefer not to use formula and will do what I can to be successful at breastfeeding. However, things don't always work out how you plan. So, if I end up needing to use formula, I'll be disappointed, but I'll know that my little one will be just fine.

AmberLiz99 · April 2014

With ds I gave him formula from day one. He did great, as was always super healthy and growin on schedule.

This time I am goin to try to breast feed for the first 6 months. I now work from home an some other factors that make it more possible now. However, I'm not opposed to giving formula if that is what our situation ends up needing.

I'm a firm believer in doing what is best for your family and ignoring pressures from others (either to bf or ff). As long as baby is well fed and cared for you are doing an awsome job!

Sisimama10 · April 2014

I'm going to breastfeed for my maternity leave and then I'm unsure if I will continue by pumping at work or switch to formula when I got back in July.

Teresa1896 · April 2014

I BF and pumped at work for a year, then gladly gave up pumping and just BF. At the time my schedule was different every day, and I was back and forth between two schools, so sometimes I pumped wherever I could (bathroom, car). It was not ideal.
This time I will be at only one site, with a set schedule, so it will be easier.
Pumping was the most stressful part of BFing for me. I figured I'd just keep doing it until I couldn't anymore.... And fortunately I made it a year.

Kriztyn · April 2014

I am going to BF/pump until August.. and I am hoping to have a decent stash for my mom to have while she watches LO while I'm at work. I'm a teacher and can't imagine pumping at work (my plan periods are 30 min and I need every second of that time for my lessons that day and I don't want to have to come in early or stay late to pump.. I'd rather spend more time with my baby!). Once the stash is out, then we will switch to formula. We'll get a good 5-6 months worth of breast milk.

ksulli · April 2014

I BF and intend to pump at work when I return. It worked last time and I was able to pump more than she took most days, so I quit the pump and she stayed in milk for a bit.

Pumping was by far the worst part of BFing for me. And then when days at work were crazy busy the pumping winds up just making the day longer because it takes time away from the desk. I was able to make it work though.

you have to do what works best for you and your situation though. If going to formula for the daytime is the best thing for you, then it's the best thing for baby. As long as baby is fed, you're doing the right thing.

olenkapdx · April 2014

I'm just taking a "wait and see" approach. I've got some medical issues. Will I even be able to breastfeed? No idea. Guess we'll find out soon. If I can, great. Then I plan to breastfeed while I'm on leave. Again, if it works out. I'm not going to beat myself up if it doesn't. When I go back to work, I was planning on switching to formula, but again, we'll see how I feel when the time comes. Maybe I will rock the breastfeeding and keep doing it (my workplace is pretty awesome about BF, with a dedicated room and everything).

mandacann · April 2014

I'm formula feeding. We're using Target's Up and Up and have used Similac. I had no interest in breast feeding and I don't feel guilty about that. I'm a big believer in doing what is right for you and your family. If you want to breast feed that's great, if you don't or can't or find some balance in between with supplementing that's fine too. Feeding your child is what really matters, not how you're doing it.

prettyinpink84 · April 2014

Thanks for your support and understanding. I was thinking about trying to pump at work IF, and that's a big IF, I get any breaks. I rarely do and I'm lucky if I get a lunch break longer than 10 mins. My work is crazy. When I was pregnant it came down to eating a snack or going to the bathroom. Obviously I chose the bathroom. It is very difficult to stop when other factors decide for you. I love my job and my coworkers but sometimes things are already "decided" for you, if you know what I mean with mgmt. not sure if I'll do formula during the day and BF at night or just all formula. I guess it will depend on my supply if I have any still. Thanks again for everything. >:D<

seannasmommy16 · April 2014

I'm EBF but pumping on the side to stock up for when I go back to work. I would for him to get my breast milk until he's a year old. I'm just taking it day by day.

NicoleAnne416 · April 2014

I am a SAHM and always have been. I will be trying for breastfeeding. My first two I couldn't get a good latch, pumped for a month and quit for one reason or another. I'm hoping to keep on trying for a good latch with this LO, or pump longer. I'm not against formula, but for me, it's important to do what I can early on with breastmilk, then go from there and decide what works best for us.

Andrewsgal · April 2014

I am EBF and will for as long as possible. I truly believe breast milk is best and it is very important to me to BF.

Heeb918 · April 2014

FYI I have a friend that works for Ross labs, they make Similac. The SAMs Club brand of formula is actually the same formulation from the previous year. (Not ingredients from last year, but the mix itself) So if you want the good stuff without paying the price, SAMs could be helpful!

Luckie519 · April 2014

With DS, we were so unsuccessful with BF/pumping that I am determined to make it work this time. I decided to set small goals for myself. The first, pumping/BFing while out for my 2 months. I then hope to carry it for at least another 4 once I go back to work. If things are still doing well, I may try to stretch it out longer.

I am up for a new job (should find out next week) and am a little worried/stressed about telling them I need to pump every 3 hours. However, with my schedule, I should only need two breaks (one would be my lunch) to do this, so think it would be ok.

ETA: At my current job, I would need to take 3 breaks (12 hour days) and it's not really a job where you can count on going on time. So, I am hoping the new job, which is also less stress and a hell of a lot more laid back, will help!

prettyinpink84 · April 2014

Mrs+Hebert said:
FYI I have a friend that works for Ross labs, they make Similac. The SAMs Club brand of formula is actually the same formulation from the previous year. (Not ingredients from last year, but the mix itself) So if you want the good stuff without paying the price, SAMs could be helpful!

I have though about doing a generic version of Similac but wasn't sure the quality. Might be the same ingredients but what about the quality of them?

MamaFantastic · April 2014

Exclusive BFing. It's very important to me and I am blessed to have a body, baby and schedule that easily permit me to pursue and achieve this goal (a fact for which I remain incredibly grateful, as I know it's not as simple for everyone!) I'll wean sometime around 18 months, most likely.

AcaAwkward · April 2014

We are EBF. Super important to me, but I'm also very cognizant that our SAH situation makes it as easy as it can be. Pumping at work would be extremely difficult and I majorly commend those that make it work! If you are interested in continuing with BFing, please talk with HR. I know it seems like there are a ton of hurdles with your current job situation, but, legally, they really MUST work with you on this! If you don't really have the desire to continue with BFing, that's okay too!

nicole mackenzie · April 2014

I'm going to so my best to EBF for the first 6 months. I don't know how long or if ill be good at pumping at work. My current workplace is very willing to make this doable for me but I'm shy so my nerves at work may effect my letdown.

I previously worked at an emergency vet and although there was a place I could have pumped I usually worked a 12-13 hour shift without eating anything. And mahbe one bathroom break. I don't see how I could have found time to pump. Oh I'm sorry your dog was just hit by a car or is having a seizure. Do you mind waiting 20 minutes while I go pump? I just couldn't have done that.

I probably would just pick a middle of the road formula and if baby didn't do well on it switch.

MrsZ0811 · April 2014

prettyinpink84 said:

FYI I have a friend that works for Ross labs, they make Similac. The SAMs Club brand of formula is actually the same formulation from the previous year. (Not ingredients from last year, but the mix itself) So if you want the good stuff without paying the price, SAMs could be helpful!
I have though about doing a generic version of Similac but wasn't sure the quality. Might be the same ingredients but what about the quality of them?

Couple of my friends asked the pediatricians (3 different friends all with different docs) to recommend a formula, they all said that it doesn't really matter which one you pick since they are so highly regulated. Meaning name brand and off brand are nearly identical.

Ashleypixie · April 2014

I'm going to give it my best effort to BF this one. I had no success with my first, very little success with my second, and I'm crossing my fingers with this one. She's very small, so I know there's a chance that I may have to supplement. I'm just rolling with the punches and keeping an open mind this time and not beating myself up if BF doesn't work. It doesn't have to and that's why they make formula. Looking at my kids, I don't think it actually matters which way you feed them, they have always thrived and have turned out fairly perfect. Our pediatrician recommends Similac and that's what we've used in the past.

kwolslager · April 2014

I gave DD1 formula. It's what was best for us at the time.
With DD2 I exclusively pumped from day one for the first 4 months. I liked doing that much better and plan on doing exclusive pumping again.

Heeb918 · April 2014

prettyinpink84 said:

FYI I have a friend that works for Ross labs, they make Similac. The SAMs Club brand of formula is actually the same formulation from the previous year. (Not ingredients from last year, but the mix itself) So if you want the good stuff without paying the price, SAMs could be helpful!
I have though about doing a generic version of Similac but wasn't sure the quality. Might be the same ingredients but what about the quality of them?

From what I've heard it is the same quality. Like pp said there is so much regulation that there aren't many differences anyway, but my friend recommends the SAMs brand to all her friends and used it herself because it is so close to the same just decently cheaper. She never had any issues and has 2 healthy kids. She didn't BF at all.

ETA: for the same regulation reasons she was not allowed to take her own product home to use, which is why she went with the cheaper alternative.

mooncusp22 · April 2014

I planned on EBF (FTM here)...honestly I thought it would be a little frustrating the first few days but then we would work great at it. My baby is 8 days old now and it's been a long week figuring it all out! I was having a very hard time the first few days in the hospital with latching and feeding. Then on day 2 they brought in the pump. I pumped every 2-3 hours to try and get some colostrum and would barely get a drop or so. She lost 12% of her weight and we had to supplement with formula and then I would feed her whatever colostrum I got through a syringe. It was very upsetting. I did feed her the formula through a tube, through a nipple shield to get her used to breastfeeding. This required 4 hands and was a crazy process. I talked to my doctor about it (ok, I cried to him about it) and he said the relax and that the feedings should be a quiet and calm time together. He said "My mom fed me goats milk through a bottle, did I still bond with her? of course". I felt guilty but I am getting better now. He said she she came about 3 weeks early via c-section and as a FTM that I unfortunately could be having supply issues.

I get pumping and pumping and some milk finally came in around day 5 or so, but it barely covered the bottle of 1 small bottle. I mixed this with formula and feed her by bottle. I try to do skin to skin when we are just cuddling or she takes a nap on me. I have been pumping every 3 hours still and am up to about .5-1oz at each pump. So, I feed her the breast milk first then formula to top her off. I feel alot less stress now and our feedings are peaceful. I do want her to get as much breast milk as possible so I will continue to pump away!

MapleLeafMama · April 2014

We are doing both for now, I had suply and latch issues with DS, so we jumped to supplementation right away. I'm using a shield this time and our latch issue has all but gone, which means I'm much more relaxed and producing more than I ever did with DS. We will continue to do both as I expect ebf is not going to fit in with our lifestyle, but I will do bf to some degree as best I can.

KatieKim0815 · April 2014

I exclusively pump. No breast. Challenging??? Yes! But without a doubt one of the most rewarding experiences!

fourthnlast · April 2014

Still pregnant...but I plan on breastfeeding. If for some reason that doesn't work, then we'll use formula. I have no shame in that game plan.

Sarahjess06 · April 2014

Breastfeeding is the plan for us!

Do what works best for you. Every family/situation is going to be different. I'm a CNA and after coming back to work with DS I was so slow and out.of routine that pumping was near impossible.... not to say it can't be done, but I completely understand how challenging it can be. good luck!

Significant · April 2014

This is a blogpost, I am not posting it as scientific fact. I do think it's an interesting read and a good starting point for doing some of your own research on different formulas if that's the route you choose.

Forewarning: There are definitely scare tatics used and it is one sided and geared towards one specific formula which is Baby's only organic, though I don't think this was anything sponsored by them.

Good luck and I'm sure if you're putting this much thought into it than you'll be successful with a healthy baby no matter what.

https://raddestmom.com/2013/03/10/which-store-bought-formula-is-best/

ETA: with dd1 we EBF for 6mos, pumped & BF for the next 4 and between 10mos and 1 year gave baby's only formula when my supply ran out but still occasionally BF until 1 year though I think by 10 mos it was mostly for comfort because there wasn't much milk left.

Want a personalized experience?

Breastfed or formula? What are you giving your LO? (Kinda Long/ support needed)

Re: Breastfed or formula? What are you giving your LO? (Kinda Long/ support needed)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards