What has influenced your feeding decision?

cassied7 · September 2014

Stargirlb said:

It's very simple in my case. I have had zero desire to BF, ever. That was pretty much the end of discussion and my H has always just rolled with what I felt was best. We FF our first, and will do the same with this one. I work 12 hour shifts at the hospital, and sometimes I'm really really lucky if I get the chance to pee more than once and maybe eat dinner. I simply don't have the ability to do it at work, which I will return to after 6 weeks. To each their own, it just isn't for me.
The last time I was in the hospital my nurse came in super apologetic that my meds were 10 minutes late, because she needed to stop and pump. I told her not to worry about it, 10 min was no big deal, and to take all the time she needed. Apparently she couldn't even stop to eat lunch because those precious few minutes were taken up by pumping.
--- Here, pumping (or breastfeeding) is required by law to be accommodated in the workplace, and women must not be required to use their lunch breaks for that time. I hope that the U.S. Govt follows suit!

@stargirlb I'm pretty sure we have that law here. Maybe not in every state, but I know that where I worked, if I went back, they would have had to "provide" me with a sanitary and private space to pump when needed. My sister was a nurse and they also had to abide by this law where she worked. I would hope that was a law everywhere.

MNgirl326 · September 2014

I had always intendend on trying bfing. it was what everyone around me seemed to be doing, so I kind of figured, why not. Plus I knew the benefits and the cost effectiveness.

I tried it. I really tried. What I did not bank on while pg though is that my husband would get laid off and have to take a job that put him on the road 5 days a week, leaving me with a newborn all by myself. I did not bank on a baby having issues at birth and not being able to BF for almost 12 hours after birth. I did not bank on him losing a LOT of weight at birth and my body not being able to get him caught up with BM alone. I didn't bank on having to supplement, alone at home, while trying to nurse and pump and figure it out.

Turning to formula at the time was really the only option. My son wasn't gaining and I wasn't producing enough. I tried as long as I possibly could to BF and supplement only when needed. But then my son starting getting sick. Turns out he had a dairy and soy allergy. So the ONLY thing that worked for him was hypoallergenic formula.

So- although my decision to BF is there, I know the reality is it may or may not work. And I am okay with that. However, DH is now working at home and I have a lot more support around me this time around. So, I hope to have more success this time around.

Wish me luck!

luciddreamer106 · September 2014

I never really thought about it, it just seems like the natural option to BF. After going through nursing school and learning about all the benefits, it sealed the decision in my mind. I'd like to EBF for a year if I can.

mmooki · September 2014

It was important to me to bf dd. I have some health issues and anything I could do to help her I wanted to . If things didn't work out, of course I would formula feed. We had some trouble in the beginning but in the end nursed for 22months. My mom was quietly in my corner. Dh wasn't on board and bf is foreign to my ils. They weren't thrilled because then who else could feed the baby??? Bc once baby is done with bottles/nursing they no longer eat.

Once dd was here and a preemie it was even more important to me to nurse. Dh eventually came around. He loved the financial savings. Of course i still had to buy bottles and a pump and storage bags.

Stargirlb · September 2014

@elleswarth‌ the year paid mat leaves also make it so that fewer women have to pump in the workplace during crucial early months if they would rather take a longer time off without being penalized.

Beauxbaton · September 2014

I just didn't have a desire to. I still tried, but I was very uncomfortable trying to get DS to latch. So then I was pumping and was so stressed. We were in the middle of closing on our house, packing, and moving. Plus my thyroid was all wackado. So I was anxious and depressed and tired. So pretty much nothing was going for me.

This time I'll try pumping. If it doesn't work it doesn't work.

LadyXaverian · September 2014

I chose to breast feed because I believed it was what was best for baby. I stopped breast feeding after a few months when I finally realized that it was not what was best for *my* baby. Best decision I made for her health and my mental health.

That said, I will choose again to breast feed and then monitor and adjust as needed.

tripletoe · September 2014

I breastfed DD and will breastfeed this LO because:

1. Besides the normal beginning struggles it was easy and convenient. I loved not having to make bottles.

2. Cheap!

3. I loved the bond I felt with DD during our sessions. I also loved being able to comfort DD whenever she was upset or hurt.

4. All of the people in my social circle breastfeed so it was my "norm". It seems like most people here breastfeed for a while.

5. Breast milk is best for baby, formula has come a long way, but it doesn't compare.

I am very pro breastfeeding, but I support feeding your baby however you like. I know each baby is different so I would never rule out FF, but I will definitely do everything in my power to breastfeed. I am lucky to have a year off with this LO and I know that will help my chances since I will not have to be away from LO for long periods of time till he is about a year.

Mrs_Bennett · September 2014

I breastfed both boys and will do the same for this LO because:
1. The health benefits for both baby and mother are incredible.
2. Free food for babies!
3. Nursing creates a bond and comforts the baby in a way that doesn't compare to bottles.
4. Convenience! Seriously, so easy to feed any time, any place.
5. I know I already mentioned health benefits, but boosting immune support for LOs during cold/flu season was/is essential.
6. Breastfeeding is common in my group of friends, so I have a great support system.
7. I've been very blessed to be able to nurse easily and for a long time without any major difficulties or issues.
8. Extra calories that I can consume/burn while still losing baby weight? Yes, please!

Bigboneded · September 2014

I plan to breastfeed, that said. I have no family here, or friends outside of work. Hubby is opposed to doula, not sure what help I can line up. Doesn't seem to be much in our neck of the woods for anything :-( Also having twins. And my nipples already hurt! However, BF is my plan and I will try! Hopefully mom comes to help, so I can have early support... hubby is supportive, within his percieved little world of necessary v unnecessary, but he has never breast fed. Ive got 3 months to sort it out, right?

CoachTay · September 2014

britb618 said:

I really tried to avoid reading this thread...the guilt I felt over not being able to bf exclusively and for as long as I wanted is extreme. And when people say things like 'I just had to read the ingredients in formula' I honestly want to scream. I will try again breastfeeding this baby and hope that I am not spending every other day at the doctor with him monitoring his weight gain like I was with my daughter....but I know she's a brilliant loveable funny child who has yet to be sick and has surpassed every milestone so if he has to have the ingredients from formula...probably not the worst thing in the world.

I'm glad you posted this. I think it's really unfortunate that society puts such pressure on mothers to breastfeed. I admit, that's why I did it with B - I felt like I had to. Yes, I researched the benefits that would come with it, and obviously the $ savings.. but my decision was largely based on the pressure I felt from everyone around me to do it. When I had to switch to EP'ing, I cried for days. Sure, she was still getting BM - but I still felt like I was doing something wrong because I wasn't actually nursing her. It saddens me that mothers are made to feel like failures if they don't or can't breastfeed. It's a decision each woman needs to make on her own...

elleswarth · September 2014

Yes, for the moms that are making the "I know the ingredients" or "I read the labels on the formula" comments, what on earth do you plan on feeding your child if/when you can't (for whatever reason) feed your child breastmilk?

peggels24 · September 2014

saiven said:

cassied7 said:

Stargirlb said:

It's very simple in my case. I have had zero desire to BF, ever. That was pretty much the end of discussion and my H has always just rolled with what I felt was best. We FF our first, and will do the same with this one. I work 12 hour shifts at the hospital, and sometimes I'm really really lucky if I get the chance to pee more than once and maybe eat dinner. I simply don't have the ability to do it at work, which I will return to after 6 weeks. To each their own, it just isn't for me.
The last time I was in the hospital my nurse came in super apologetic that my meds were 10 minutes late, because she needed to stop and pump. I told her not to worry about it, 10 min was no big deal, and to take all the time she needed. Apparently she couldn't even stop to eat lunch because those precious few minutes were taken up by pumping.
--- Here, pumping (or breastfeeding) is required by law to be accommodated in the workplace, and women must not be required to use their lunch breaks for that time. I hope that the U.S. Govt follows suit!

@stargirlb I'm pretty sure we have that law here. Maybe not in every state, but I know that where I worked, if I went back, they would have had to "provide" me with a sanitary and private space to pump when needed. My sister was a nurse and they also had to abide by this law where she worked. I would hope that was a law everywhere.

----------

Since a lot of women seem to be confused about their rights in the workplace, I'm going to weigh in.

Employers are required to provide a space for women to breastfeed that is NOT a bathroom, as well as the time to do so for a year after a woman gives birth. REQUIRED. Not optional if you request it. This is a federal law. (REFERENCE) Every choice here is valid but should you be concerned about breastfeeding at work, accommodations MUST be made.

There are exceptions to this law - specifically if the employer has under 50 people and it would cause a hardship.

britb618 · September 2014

Thanks @ladyamanuet‌ that's what I was saying- in no way directed at others just those that left it simply as that....I went with soy because that's what my daughter needed and with the one the docs office recommended. I've been told I could make my own but honestly feel more comfortable buying something that's been tried and tested, but God bless those mothers that make their own bc it must take time and attention to detail to get it right

cassied7 · September 2014

CoachTay said:

britb618 said:

I really tried to avoid reading this thread...the guilt I felt over not being able to bf exclusively and for as long as I wanted is extreme. And when people say things like 'I just had to read the ingredients in formula' I honestly want to scream. I will try again breastfeeding this baby and hope that I am not spending every other day at the doctor with him monitoring his weight gain like I was with my daughter....but I know she's a brilliant loveable funny child who has yet to be sick and has surpassed every milestone so if he has to have the ingredients from formula...probably not the worst thing in the world.

I'm glad you posted this. I think it's really unfortunate that society puts such pressure on mothers to breastfeed. I admit, that's why I did it with B - I felt like I had to. Yes, I researched the benefits that would come with it, and obviously the $ savings.. but my decision was largely based on the pressure I felt from everyone around me to do it. When I had to switch to EP'ing, I cried for days. Sure, she was still getting BM - but I still felt like I was doing something wrong because I wasn't actually nursing her. It saddens me that mothers are made to feel like failures if they don't or can't breastfeed. It's a decision each woman needs to make on her own...

I felt the pressure to not BF more than anything. My in laws were so weird about me nursing because no one in their family has ever done it. It was almost like they were grossed out by it. I would get questioned while feeding DS and mean looks, like they couldn't believe this was how I chose to feed my child. They were angry that they couldnt feed him, so they made me feel horrible that i had the nerve to put my breast to my childs mouth. That being said, when at 7 months I couldn't nurse him anymore, my sister and brother in law openly showed their disappointment. If at a family dinner I made a bottle for DS, he would comment about the "poison" I was mixing up for him. It was so hurtful and rude, I even left crying at times even though I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong, it's just hurtful to hear. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but I agree with you that the decision is the mothers to make and no matter what, no one should be made to feel bad about it.

LauraElizabeth85 · September 2014

I am in Canada so I get a full year off. This is the main reason I plan to exclusively bf (if there are no problems). I bf DD1 for the full year.

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