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February 2015 Moms
morgan1095
member
Have have no idea if I want to breast or bottle feed
morgan1095
member
I honestly have no idea how I want to feed my baby. Breast milk or formula. I know pros and cons of both. I'm just looking for opinions.
Best Answers
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erobbins09 member
Im a FTM so I don't know anything but I think you need to clarify if you are confused between breast feeding, bottle feeding pumped breast milk, or bottle feeding formula?
But I'd say regardless just keep I mind sometimes baby's preference/allergies may make this choice for you. Id say, stay flexible to baby's needs but really try to consider any way that could get baby colostrum (the really nutrient rich stuff your body makes in the beginning).
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Irishcurls member
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mandamoochie member
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maryxc1 member
If you are able to breast feed, both physically and your situation, I feel like it is best. That is how nature set up the process. I think pumping and giving baby bottled breast milk is second best, and formula should be the third option. I know there are some good formulas out there and breast feeding is not always an option, but there are so many advantages to breast feeding for both mom and baby that is the way to go if possible. -
Beth.1212 member
If you have any specific questions, I'm sure that people would be happy to answer. It's a very personal decision, and I think the prevailing opinion is as long as you're feeding your baby, you're doing a good job.BTW, since this is your first post and it's a vague one on a potentially controversial topic, people are going to think you might be a troll. In the future, I'd advice you to post on more begnign topics first and also to post more specific questions. -
maltwin1 member
The good news is that as long as you make the choice TO feed your baby you're doing the right thing. Both ways definitely have pros and cons so you just have to pick what you think will work best for you and your baby.
Breastfeeding Pros:
-breast milk is very healthy for little one
-breast milk is free
-breast milk requires no additional preperation, which is especially handy in the middle of the night.
Breastfeeding Cons:
-unless you pump, breastfeeding leaves the task of feeding totally up to you
-breastfeeding can sometimes be uncomfortable or difficult
Bottle feeding Pros:
-you and your partner/family can take turns feeding the baby
-gives you an increases sense that your body is your own again after the baby is born
Bottle feeding cons:
-formula is expensive
-middle of the night bottle prep
-formula isn't as good for baby as breast milk (even though both are perfectly acceptable ways to nourish baby)
My advice would be to try breast feeding and see how it goes. You can always change your mind if that doesn't work for you, but at least you'll have all the information about what works best for you.
Good luck!
**DS 12/17/10** **#2 Due 2/14/15** -
chickyclg member
maryxc1 said:If you are able to breast feed, both physically and your situation, I feel like it is best. That is how nature set up the process. I think pumping and giving baby bottled breast milk is second best, and formula should be the third option. I know there are some good formulas out there and breast feeding is not always an option, but there are so many advantages to breast feeding for both mom and baby that is the way to go if possible.
@maryxc1 How in the hell is bottled breast milk better than milk from your breast! IT IS THE SAME FUCKING MILK!You sound like one of those ignorant women that just want to condemn others for how they chose to raise their own families. What you are saying is that if you can not physically attach a baby to your breast you are not doing the best thing for your child. On another note there is nothing wrong with formula, I would rather my babies get the nutrition that they need.~~~~~~~~~Siggy Warning~~~~~~~~Me~28 DH~276-12-2010 Miscarriage.3-16-2012 D&C/Miscarriage.Blocked Left Tube.Diminished Ovarian ReserveMFI - Sperm Morphology 2%.MTHFRAbnormal Antiphospholipid AntibodiesApril 2013 ~ 1st IUI attempt - 100 mg Clomid- CanceledMay 2013 ~ 2nd IUI attempt -100 mg Clomid- CanceledJune 2013 ~ 3rd IUI attempt - 100 mg Clomid+ Trigger+ Progesterone~BFNIVF/ICSI #1 May 2014 ~ Freeze All ~ Due to OHSS5/1/2014 ~ 22 retrieved, 12 fertilized, 3 frozen5/28/2014 ~ FET#1 ~ Transferred 2 Hatching Blasts6/1/2014~ **BFP**6/9/2014 Beta #1 ~ 10226/12/2014 Beta #2 ~ 30996/16/2014 Beta #3 ~ >50006/19/2014 First U/S ~ TWINS!!!
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
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kismetjess member
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bhjones1980 member
But then you are just attached to the pump, which is WAY WORSE, trust mesugahcookie01 said:I am considering exclusive pumping because I want the benefits of breast milk without being attached to my LO at the boob. I want DH to have feeding/bonding time. I want us to split middle of the night feedings.Sucks that I'm such a bad mom for planning that, eh?
The best part of my nursing journey with DS is when I stopped pumping and he was just nursing in the evenings and at night, nursing was easy for me, pumping was a time consuming, painful, frustrating burden.
I can NOT wait to throw that pump out the window.
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Maple403 member
That suuuccckkkssss! I have to say, adding weight loss as a benefit was solely based on what other people tell me. As a FTM I have no actual first hand experience. I was really hoping that BFing would speed the weight loss, sadly that is a major incentive for me to pump or BF.thegoodpotato said:
Not always true. Some people don't start losing weight until after they stop breastfeeding.Maple403 said:Added bonus for breast feeding: helps with postpartum weight lossAdded negatives for breast feeding: it can be really hard, there can be discomfort,In the end, if the baby gets fed, it does not matter.
While I had a really easy time with breastfeeding my second, I do have some rather... uncomfortable side effects. Apparently I'm such an efficient milk-making machine that my body absorbs all available nutrition and water out of my milk. I can drink 4L of water a day and eat nothing but salad, and I'm constipated like there's no tomorrow. And constipation + swelling/damage to the nether regions = sad faced potato.
Seriously, with Amanda, I was constipated from about 10 weeks pregnant to about a week after I weaned her to formula (at six months age). You CANNOT believe how great it is to poop after over a year of constipation. I literally did a jig.I'd have to say if I was super constipated, not losing weight, AND having a lot of discomfort I'd probably abandon BFing. Of course, that probably means I'll be a terrible mom. 8-} Good Potato, for sticking with it! -
mishka29 member
Ugh some how I managed to forget about the year long constipation, but I'm remembering it now! Not a pleasnat side effect. :-Sthegoodpotato said:
Not always true. Some people don't start losing weight until after they stop breastfeeding.Maple403 said:Added bonus for breast feeding: helps with postpartum weight lossAdded negatives for breast feeding: it can be really hard, there can be discomfort,In the end, if the baby gets fed, it does not matter.
While I had a really easy time with breastfeeding my second, I do have some rather... uncomfortable side effects. Apparently I'm such an efficient milk-making machine that my body absorbs all available nutrition and water out of my milk. I can drink 4L of water a day and eat nothing but salad, and I'm constipated like there's no tomorrow. And constipation + swelling/damage to the nether regions = sad faced potato.
Seriously, with Amanda, I was constipated from about 10 weeks pregnant to about a week after I weaned her to formula (at six months age). You CANNOT believe how great it is to poop after over a year of constipation. I literally did a jig. -
CogDis member
Genuine question.
@mishka29 and @thegoodpotato and whomever else knows the answer: this breast feeding constipation you speak of terrifies me. Can we just take laxatives? Or is there a reason not to.
I feel dumb asking this so I'm going to use the FTM excuse. -
jennjilljo member
Well, @morgan1095, now that I know what you're actually asking (thanks for updating) I feel like I can answer. BFing is difficult at first and it can be hard to get used to. I've had many female military members in my CoC or under me BF without a problem. Pumping can be difficult so I would recommend takin as much leave as possible to get your body into production mode, looking for support from the Le Leche League, speaking with other moms in your branch/bn about their experiences and seeking help from the lactation consultants at the military hospital you deliver in. You can decide whether or not BFing is the right choice for you and I encourage you to give it a shot at birth. You never know unless you try.Formula is a much easier choice in your situation but you miss out on the reported health benefits of BFing. If you choose to go with formula I suggest reading up on different formulas to decide which one you want to use. They have formulas the mimic breast milk which I've heard many babies find agreeable (not getting upset stomach or taste issues).You can also attempt BFing and supplementing with formula if you don't produce a high enough supply. I think it's important t remember however that you're supply may seem low when it isn't.You can probably work with your CoC to find time during the day and an area in which you can pump and store milk. There are also great groups out there you can look into for support such as this one who will provide you a better understanding of what you can do as a military mom.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Have have no idea if I want to breast or bottle feed
Waited a long time, tried a lot of stuff, science made me a mom.
Waited a long time, tried a lot of stuff, science made me a mom.
****siggy warning****
Me 29/ DH 28
DH- MFI (low count, 2-3% morph)
IUI #1 January - Clomid, Ovidrel: BFN
IUI #2 February - Letrozole, Follistim, Ovidrel: BFP 1st beta-25, 2nd beta-56, 3rd beta-45, miscarriage
IUI #3 April - CD3 U/S 4-10. Letrozole, Follistim, Ovidrel CD11 - Cancelled.. TI w/5 follicles-BFN
IUI #3.1 May - CD3 U/S 5-6, Follistim start 5-11 thru 5-17, u/s 5-18 3 mature w/ a close 4th, IUI 5-20 - BFP!
Beta #1 12dpo - 164 & progesterone - 89!, Beta #2 16 dpo - 1189, 5w3d - u/s shows TWINS!
6/19- u/s showed heartbeats! Baby A 111 & Baby B 118, both measuring 6w1d
7/3- Baby A hb 170, Baby B hb 166 - both measuring perfect.
7/18 - Baby A 165, Baby B 171 - both measuring right on track & moving all around!
BFP 6/15/14 EDD: 2/24/15
@maryxc1 How in the hell is bottled breast milk better than milk from your breast! IT IS THE SAME FUCKING MILK!
I was giving my personal opinions on my order of preference of the various options. As I said originally, different people need to do different things based on their situation. That is their choice. In no way was I condemning you or your decisions. OP seemed to be looking for thoughts on the topic and I gave her my thoughts.
While I had a really easy time with breastfeeding my second, I do have some rather... uncomfortable side effects. Apparently I'm such an efficient milk-making machine that my body absorbs all available nutrition and water out of my milk. I can drink 4L of water a day and eat nothing but salad, and I'm constipated like there's no tomorrow. And constipation + swelling/damage to the nether regions = sad faced potato.
Seriously, with Amanda, I was constipated from about 10 weeks pregnant to about a week after I weaned her to formula (at six months age). You CANNOT believe how great it is to poop after over a year of constipation. I literally did a jig.
Monster Truck (It's a GIRL!) is due 19/02/2015!
Waited a long time, tried a lot of stuff, science made me a mom.
Monster Truck (It's a GIRL!) is due 19/02/2015!
Sarah, 35 bumping from NE Ohio
Married my love 4/22/2006
DD born 10/12/2009
DS born sleeping 2/23/2013 full trisomy 18
Baby 3 due 2/13/2015
I didn't expect such rude responses from women who are supposed to be helping each other.
I would very much like to try and breast feed and pump but I'll have to go back to work very soon after I have my little boy and I'm in the military, a couple months after I have him I'll have to leave for a few weeks and using breast milk during that time will be hard. But thank you all for your opinions, rude or not.
Oh please. You did a post and run. We're not mind readers nor here at your beckon call to try to interpret whatever word vomit you feel like typing up. You put very little effort into your post, so you're lucky you got the responses you did. So don't come back and be insulting like this. It's cute you think these responses were rude though.
BFP 6/15/14 EDD: 2/24/15
Try it if it's not for you move on. People will judge but tell them get over it I'm feeding my baby and that is all that matters!
BFP #2: m/c at 7w, February, 2014
BFP #3: It's a BOY! Please be our rainbow! Due February, 2015
*everyone always welcome*
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
So high maintenance right? My kid likes chicken strips and orange soda. I mean from like 2 months old. Just chew it and spit into their mouth like a baby bird! You're welcome!
(Dances off singing) I'm every woman, it's all in meeeeeee.....
BFP #2: m/c at 7w, February, 2014
BFP #3: It's a BOY! Please be our rainbow! Due February, 2015
*everyone always welcome*
Taking baby lead weaning to a new level. Quick write a book!
BFP 6/15/14 EDD: 2/24/15
I really like what @hope0805 said: "your the one who feeds her. Do what works for you. Stress does not help the situation."
For the record, I do think breastfeeding, from the "tap," is the best choice for me and my baby as long as we are physically and situationally able to do it, both for bonding and health reasons. (And because formula is expensive, yo.) This is not to say that anything else is any less than adequate.
I realize the OP already left the post, but I felt like I needed to defend anyone who was scared to share their opinion!!!
F15 December Siggy Challenge:
I'm not so excitted for breast feeding either but I know it's better..babies have no immune system for the first few months months so breast milk keeps their systems protected till they can fend off germs themselves..along with vaccinatons..
Another perk is that dirty diapers from a breast milk baby don't smell! !! My niece had yellow poop that had no oder..where as formula poop smells like death.
I'm gonna give it a shot and hope for the best..may take time. Definitely get a pump though..don't want to start spraying milk when your out with friends and feeding time rolls around but no baby!