For those choosing not to breastfeed..

beachy6 · September 2014

After a decade of fertility treatments and turning my body over to everyone else to just get me pregnant, I need my body back in the worst way. I won't be BF'ing. However, I didn't with DS either because it just didn't appeal to me. I wasn't bf'd and so I didn't feel like it was something I was being pressured into doing, rather it was a choice a mother can make.

Unknown · September 2014

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Sarah1253 · September 2014

I am not comfortable with Breast feeding but I do plan to try and pump at least the first three months. After that we will see how it goes but I do want the baby to get the nutrition from the Breast milk if possible.

kwikwi8181 · September 2014

I am so glad to see this thread. It gives me a lot to think about AND I am deeply impressed at what a great, constructive conversation it has been.i agree that women are almost shamed into BF. And made to feel like less of a mother if they can't or don't want to.
At the end of the day...feed your baby. Whatever way you choose. Whatever way works for you and baby.
See? D14 isn't just a bunch of meanies!

Shortstack06 · September 2014

So this thread got me asking friends about formula, I asked their average monthly usage, then priced Similac and Gerber at the local grocery store. Using their averages, roughly $2,460 per year. I am cringing right now when thinking about adding diapers in the mix. I just thought I would share, while I am still undecided that is a lot of money.

Unknown · September 2014

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Eora3 · September 2014

Shortstack06 said:
So this thread got me asking friends about formula, I asked their average monthly usage, then priced Similac and Gerber at the local grocery store. Using their averages, roughly $2,460 per year. I am cringing right now when thinking about adding diapers in the mix. I just thought I would share, while I am still undecided that is a lot of money.

Typically, you only use formula for a year before transitioning to cow's milk. Similac and Enfamil both send monthly coupons and vouchers if you sign up on their websites. After a few months, you may be able to switch to store brand formula and save a ton.

You can also consider cloth diapering part time to save money on that. Breastfeeding is a whole lot more involved and time intensive than cloth diapering IMO.

Shortstack06 · September 2014

Eora3 said:

So this thread got me asking friends about formula, I asked their average monthly usage, then priced Similac and Gerber at the local grocery store. Using their averages, roughly $2,460 per year. I am cringing right now when thinking about adding diapers in the mix. I just thought I would share, while I am still undecided that is a lot of money.
Typically, you only use formula for a year before transitioning to cow's milk. Similac and Enfamil both send monthly coupons and vouchers if you sign up on their websites. After a few months, you may be able to switch to store brand formula and save a ton. You can also consider cloth diapering part time to save money on that. Breastfeeding is a whole lot more involved and time intensive than cloth diapering IMO.

They both said about coupons, I was just trying to look into worst case scenario. I am looking into EBF, but it is very time consuming. There are pros and cons of each side to weigh for me that make the decision hard.

riansmommie · September 2014

I skimmed and don't fit in here as I BF but wanted to add some of the best advice I've heard. Formula feeding is giving your baby 100%, breast feeding is giving your baby 110% so no matter what you chose just remember your baby is always getting at least 100%.

Eora3 · September 2014

Shortstack06 said:

Eora3 said:

Shortstack06 said:
So this thread got me asking friends about formula, I asked their average monthly usage, then priced Similac and Gerber at the local grocery store. Using their averages, roughly $2,460 per year. I am cringing right now when thinking about adding diapers in the mix. I just thought I would share, while I am still undecided that is a lot of money.
Typically, you only use formula for a year before transitioning to cow's milk. Similac and Enfamil both send monthly coupons and vouchers if you sign up on their websites. After a few months, you may be able to switch to store brand formula and save a ton.

You can also consider cloth diapering part time to save money on that. Breastfeeding is a whole lot more involved and time intensive than cloth diapering IMO.

They both said about coupons, I was just trying to look into worst case scenario. I am looking into EBF, but it is very time consuming. There are pros and cons of each side to weigh for me that make the decision hard.

I just didn't want you to feel panicked or forced into anything. It is a tough decision and I remember being so terribly stressed and disappointed and depressed when my plans to EBF my older son blew up in my face.

My family members also signed up for the coupons and my pediatrian's office loaded me up with sample sizes every time I went in. We made it work and it wasn't that bad.

maganded · September 2014

I did not breastfeeding my first one not for any reason it was just a decision i made to keep my tatas intact. I will not will this one.

MegsTactical · September 2014

I was not able to with my first daughter. After days of stressing, and crying about it, my baby girl could just not latch onto my giant boobs. I even stayed in the hospital an extra 2 days working with the nurses and trying to get her to latch. I finally just wanted my baby to be full and satisfied. I cannot tell you what a relief it was to give her formula. She was happy, healthy, and I also loved that I anyone could feed her. She is an honor student now, in 7th grade and healthy. For this baby, I will not be stressing myself out again. I will feed her formula. I also cannot imagine going back to work and having to be a milk factory at the same time. It just wouldn't work at my job.

Cheekers2010 · September 2014

Shortstack06 said:

Eora3 said:

So this thread got me asking friends about formula, I asked their average monthly usage, then priced Similac and Gerber at the local grocery store. Using their averages, roughly $2,460 per year. I am cringing right now when thinking about adding diapers in the mix. I just thought I would share, while I am still undecided that is a lot of money.
Typically, you only use formula for a year before transitioning to cow's milk. Similac and Enfamil both send monthly coupons and vouchers if you sign up on their websites. After a few months, you may be able to switch to store brand formula and save a ton. You can also consider cloth diapering part time to save money on that. Breastfeeding is a whole lot more involved and time intensive than cloth diapering IMO.

They both said about coupons, I was just trying to look into worst case scenario. I am looking into EBF, but it is very time consuming. There are pros and cons of each side to weigh for me that make the decision hard.

I am fully on board with choosing what's best for you. I did want to point out that bf'ing is really really time consuming only for about the first 8-12 weeks. Then it gets to be far less so. Baby eats faster, is on more of a routine and goes much longer between feeding sessions. The intense period is over pretty quickly.

trizzie · September 2014

I am not. Didn't with my first two either. I have only often one judgmental comment and that was when my first was born.

feeshah · September 2014

As long as you feed your tiny human is all that really matters. I'm not one to judge wether you have breast milk or formula in that bottle you are given and TRUST I will not be checking either [-(
I was able to BF DD and I will BF/pump for this LO. I too want my body back and I plan on using the calorie burning power of BF to help me out a little.

Those who are concerned about the cost of formula. Take a look at WIC and see if you qualify! It's free milk and beans and cheese and shit to include Formula.

ColeyCannoli · September 2014

I'm still on the fence here. I really wanted to try and I'm still going to learn about it but, as I've shared here before, I have some mental health issues that are best resolved with medication.
While I'm pregnant, I don't have much of a choice but to trust my liver and my baby's placenta to help filter it out but I wouldn't feel right choosing to feed him breast milk with possible contaminates when there is a completely clean and harmless option available.

I know even if I did breastfeed, it would only be until the end of the first year at best and possibly only until school gets to be too much work. I'm getting the free breast pump but I already hate the thing... makes me think of the dairy cows I used to see hooked up at the county fair XP

But I figure I'll get judged no matter what, so I might as well do what makes me and my LO feel the best.
Just as a bonus, I was adopted so I never had breast milk. I think I turned out okay

jlmynes · September 2014

Love seeing this thread! I'm a FTM and am choosing not to breastfeed. After much thought and consideration it's just not what I'd like to do. I've personally always been weirded out by the idea of BF and being the only supply of food for my child. I would like what little time my husband gets to spend with our newborn, he works in another state, that he is also given the opportunity to feed and bond. And since I'll be doing it alone for awhile I just don't think I'll have the energy to feed, change, bathe, sleep, eat, exercise, etc.

I also would like to get my body back asap and would like to start dieting and working out asap instead of having to continue to watch what I eat so my milk supply doesn't drop. Too much stress for me to BF honestly. Your boobs, your decision!

soulcupcake · September 2014

ColeyCannoli said:
I'm still on the fence here. I really wanted to try and I'm still going to learn about it but, as I've shared here before, I have some mental health issues that are best resolved with medication.
While I'm pregnant, I don't have much of a choice but to trust my liver and my baby's placenta to help filter it out but I wouldn't feel right choosing to feed him breast milk with possible contaminates when there is a completely clean and harmless option available.

I know even if I did breastfeed, it would only be until the end of the first year at best and possibly only until school gets to be too much work. I'm getting the free breast pump but I already hate the thing... makes me think of the dairy cows I used to see hooked up at the county fair XP

But I figure I'll get judged no matter what, so I might as well do what makes me and my LO feel the best.
Just as a bonus, I was adopted so I never had breast milk. I think I turned out okay

What medications are you concerned about? The only psych med I was prescribed that is contraindicated while breast feeding is Lamictal and Lithium. I've been okay'd to take Wellbutrin and Abilify. I don't like Zoloft. It makes me gain weight.

This site has all of the current data on pharmacology and pregnancy and breastfeeding.

https://m.infantrisk.com

ColeyCannoli · September 2014

aeonlux said:

I'm still on the fence here. I really wanted to try and I'm still going to learn about it but, as I've shared here before, I have some mental health issues that are best resolved with medication.
While I'm pregnant, I don't have much of a choice but to trust my liver and my baby's placenta to help filter it out but I wouldn't feel right choosing to feed him breast milk with possible contaminates when there is a completely clean and harmless option available.

I know even if I did breastfeed, it would only be until the end of the first year at best and possibly only until school gets to be too much work. I'm getting the free breast pump but I already hate the thing... makes me think of the dairy cows I used to see hooked up at the county fair XP

But I figure I'll get judged no matter what, so I might as well do what makes me and my LO feel the best.
Just as a bonus, I was adopted so I never had breast milk. I think I turned out okay
What medications are you concerned about? The only psych med I was prescribed that is contraindicated while breast feeding is Lamictal and Lithium. I've been okay'd to take Wellbutrin and Abilify. I don't like Zoloft. It makes me gain weight. This site has all of the current data on pharmacology and pregnancy and breastfeeding. https://m.infantrisk.com

Thank you for this! I'm currently on Welbutrin but I was originally on an amphetamine and SSRI mix (both at very low doses) that actually worked better for me. (Welbutrin always gives me an upset stomach but with pregnancy it's already upset so meh plus I know it'll work).

Edit: clarification

amphetamines

BayCamp · September 2014

I do PLAN on breastfeeding/pumping. That being said, I totally respect everyone else's decision on what is best for them. My sister never had milk come in for either of her kids. And my best friend had thrush with both her daughters and then mastitis. The guilt I saw both of them experience just broke my heart. These are fantastic mothers, and they felt such pressure to be super mom that they beat themselves up. So whatever means of feeding your baby you choose, never let anyone make you feel bad for it. You know what is best for your baby and your body.

Crystal7perry · September 2014

I had big plans to BF DS but due to pregnancy and birthing complications it was extremely difficult for me (read next to impossible). So I pumped and supplemented DS with formula from the very beginning. When my health was back to normal-ish, I thought about trying to establish BF (DS was a few weeks old), but after discussing with my DH we agreed that what we were doing already was working for us and not to rock the boat. I continued to pump for 4 months and gradually decreased the amount of breast milk he got so that by that time he was getting purely formula.

With this babe, I'm pretty sure we are going to do the same thing as it worked so well for us the first time and our DS seems to be developing completely normally.

As PP's have said, as long as your babe is being fed, it doesn't matter what you choose. A happy mother is what's most important for baby

mlee116 · September 2014

ColeyCannoli said:

But I figure I'll get judged no matter what, so I might as well do what makes me and my LO feel the best.

I totally agree with this statement. Bfing vs FFing are just one of the many, many parenting decisions people love to judge. I BF and I was judged for doing it past a year, for nursing on demand, etc. Its really kind of damned if you do, damned if you don't thing. The best thing is make a decision based on your own circumstances and own it.

BayCamp · September 2014

I have a gigantic family (30 first cousins, we breed like rabbits apparently) so we have a good mix of parenting styles. I never knew until the last few years that people actually care about things like how you feed your kid. This baffles me. The whole "mommy wars" thing is just sad.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

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leoandethansmom · September 2014

Courtneylovesjason2 said:
Shit. I just realized I wasn't breastfed. I think that's why I'm such a fucking asshole. You guys might want to reconsider...

I was breastfed and I'm still an asshole.

amieeyoung · September 2014

For those on the fence - (not those who are going to strictly formula feed) you could do a little of each and see what works best for you and your family. There is always the option for some pumping or some feeding and formula. Either way (full bf, full formula, hybrid), don't beat yourself up- as long as your baby is growing and healthy it doesn't matter.

Giovannac85 · September 2014

I'm on the fence also. Going back and forth. So hard not to think if your making the right decision. My mom didn't breast feed me and my brothers because se was busy with our family business and had no time to stop pump or bf us. We all grew up strong healthy and smart. Such a hard decision. And so hard trying to make your decision when others make you feel bad for thinking you don't want to breastfeed b

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