Anyone else formula feeding?

nicolepelar · April 2016

I've been exclusively FF since my daughter was 2 weeks old. I was so excited about breastfeeding and had a plan and time line of how long I wanted to do it and everything. Unfortunately things didn't work out they way I'd hoped.
I was exhausted and I had to pump an hour after every feeding because I would stay engorged and my baby was eating plenty. My daughter lived on me and I lived at my pump and I changed my breast pads 8 times a day! I constantly changed bras and shirts cause I always leaked through my pads

honestly I was miserable. My nipples became cracked and she would swallow then spit up blood andit freaked me out so I decided to EP until they healed. She ate through my supply and my milk production dwindled so I tried to reintroduce breastfeeding and she wasn't interested. So I just decided to quit pumping cause i was only getting like 5 ounces from both breast and just give her formula.
I felt guilty cause "breast is best" and I've heard people shame mothers for not breastfeeding their children. My daughter is 5 weeks now and she's doing great on formula. Have any of you had a negetive experience with breastfeeding or decided to EFF?

GraciesMom189 · April 2016

Hi, 2nd time mom here! Neither one of my babies had a drop of breastmilk- and that was because I wanted and chose to formula feed. I am in no way anti breastfeeding. It just wasn't for me. No shame, no regrets. Please don't beat yourself up! You don't have any reason to waste these special days with your baby on guilt. You have to do what's best for you and your family. Everyone does! And when was the last time someone asked you if you were breast/ or bottle fed? After the first year of life- no one cares...

kyraaD · April 2016

I'm a FTM with a 6 week old baby who has been EFF since about 2 weeks old as well. BFing unfortunately also didn't work out as planned for me either & i switched to FFing. i love FFing. absolutely love it. i no longer worry about if my LO is getting enough or not (which he wasn't), & i don't feel so overwhelmed/depressed because i constantly had my LO attached to me. all-in-all, a much better choice for me & my baby. i don't regret it at all & if i have another one in the future I'll most likely go straight to formula.

clairemwalker · April 2016

Dont feel guilty at all! A happy, healthy mum and a happy, full baby are what is the most important at the end of the day. Only you can make the decisions for you and your family. I Am still Bfeeding but am thinking of switching to formula in the next month. I have never enjoyed bfeeding, and i am giving myself a little longer but if it doesnt change soon then thats it. I want what is best for my LO, and whats best for her is to have a happy relaxed mother who enjoys being with her. Please try not to let other peoples negative hang ups color your experience

meg_2006 · April 2016

I have wanted to breastfeed both of my children, and have had to stop for both. DS1 at 2 weeks, and DS2 at 4. Both had anatomical problems in their mouth that made them chew instead of suck. BFing was EXCRUCIATING! With DS2 we had hope we could fix his problems. I pumped for all 4 weeks to both give myself time to heal, and give DS time to work on his sucking skills, but at the end of 4 weeks there was little progress. The LC even said he might never be able to nurse without causing damage to me. So, I have FF both!

Thwre were many, many tears both times I made the decision to stop. I still feel guilty- I don't even know why, there was nothing more I could have done both times! And I've never heard anyone make a judgy comment, but I always worry they're thinking it...but I'm sure that's just in my mind more than it is a reality!

Keep your head up, we fought hard! No one knows that more than us!

maelic · April 2016

I breastfed my daughter for 3 weeks and then pumped exclusively for 3 months. I hated every single second of it.

With my son, I decided to FF right at the hospital and it has been wonderful. I'm a happy, easy going mom and he's a happy easy going baby.

New studies show that breast is not necessarily best; just one of many factors that affect health and behavioral outcomes for children. Sibling studies show little to no difference (just higher asthma rates in breast fed babies) between FF and BF children in the same family. So screw anyone who tries to make you feel bad or guilty. As long as your baby is fed you're doing your job as a parent!

Cowboycorgi · April 2016

So glad I logged on and saw this! I've been in tears for weeks because of latch issues and EPing with a dwindling supply. I just made my mind to switch to formula and have felt so guilty.

Thanks for cheering me up, I don't feel alone anymore.

mannylynn88 · April 2016

I did the same thing and felt the same way you did. I was even worried that the pediatrician was going to yell at me but no one said anything and her pediatrician actually told me that I was doing a great job. It made me feel a lot better just to here that.

mamaimmoos · April 2016

We had to start supplementing with formula in the hospital because of a c-section and nu the time we were home we were exclusively FF because I had no supply. After three weeks of EP I still had no milk, never got more than 5 ounces in a day so we went exclusive FF so that I could stay sane. LO is a chunky happy boy and I, though slightly disappointed, am very happy with our decision. I'm not chained to the pump and baby is happy and healthy. Don't beat yourself up, food is food!

nicolepelar · April 2016

Thanks so much ladies! Even though our pediatrician supported my decision to FF it's incredible to know I wasn't the only one feeling guilty for switching and feeling miserable constantly being attached to the pump.

eivaska · April 2016

We are also eff. Breastfeeding didn't work out well for us. As long as baby has a full tummy of nutritious food your doing a great job imo!

CalebsHabibi · April 2016

Don't let anyone get you down! I had to supplement with formula and I felt guilty and chained to the pump. But then I realized, baby is happy and growing where before he was losing too much weight and severely jaundiced. I was FF and I turned out great! Now I EBF because that's what works for us. As long as mom is happy and baby is thriving, we are great mamas. No guilt!

Katherine8908 · May 2016

Ds has been EFF since he was born I didn't want to breastfeed and could care less about what people say/think ... Happy mom happy baby ZFG!

beckylamken · May 2016

I had issues getting LO to latch in the hospital and was given a nipple shield. I am not sure if that was my problem or if I was not blessed with much a supply (or both) and after 2 weeks of EBF, her weight was extremely low and we were forced to supplement. I haven't been able to build up enough milk for her since. I took it pretty hard and shed a few tears but I had so many people (OB, Ped, LC) tell me formula is totally fine and all that matters is that you have a healthy baby and she needs to eat. Then after a day or two, a light bulb went off. It's so easy to lose perspective on something like this. I (we) could have had a child that is born with a disease or condition. This is small potatoes when other moms are faced with much larger battles.

All that matters is your baby is thriving and healthy, no matter how they're fed. It's such a shame there is such a stigma around this and I am happy to see so many posts encouraging formula. No matter why you use it, be confident and know you are an amazing mama who would do anything for your LO!

annawestt · May 2016

I just saw this thread and am so encouraged reading through it! My girl is 7 weeks tomorrow and has only ever had breast milk but I'm about to lose my mind here. I started using a nipple shield at week 3 to help with the pain and then we've had issues ever since. A couple weeks ago she didn't want to latch at all so I tried EPing (which is frankly just as bad because it's so time consuming) but my supply can't keep up with her especially now that I'm back to work. The only reason I haven't switched to formula yet or at least supplemented is because i can't financially afford it. But I'm thinking I will have to just figure that one out because my emotional health and my baby's growth are more important than saving money!

meg_2006 · May 2016

annawestt said:

I just saw this thread and am so encouraged reading through it! My girl is 7 weeks tomorrow and has only ever had breast milk but I'm about to lose my mind here. I started using a nipple shield at week 3 to help with the pain and then we've had issues ever since. A couple weeks ago she didn't want to latch at all so I tried EPing (which is frankly just as bad because it's so time consuming) but my supply can't keep up with her especially now that I'm back to work. The only reason I haven't switched to formula yet or at least supplemented is because i can't financially afford it. But I'm thinking I will have to just figure that one out because my emotional health and my baby's growth are more important than saving money!

The Parent's Choice brand at Walmart is half the price of Similac and comparable in nutrition. I've heard the Costco brand (kirkland's) is good too. If there's any way you qualify for WIC in your state they'll give you nearly all the formula you need each month. Also if you sign up for accounts on the formula websites they'll start sending you checks for $5 off a can. If you have any mom friends ask them to do it too! It does suck that feeding your child has to be so expensive when it's supposed to be free! Sadly the only explanation I've found for the exorbitant price is profits and advertising. Anyway, those are all my tricks!

beckylamken · May 2016

meg_2006 said:

annawestt said:

I just saw this thread and am so encouraged reading through it! My girl is 7 weeks tomorrow and has only ever had breast milk but I'm about to lose my mind here. I started using a nipple shield at week 3 to help with the pain and then we've had issues ever since. A couple weeks ago she didn't want to latch at all so I tried EPing (which is frankly just as bad because it's so time consuming) but my supply can't keep up with her especially now that I'm back to work. The only reason I haven't switched to formula yet or at least supplemented is because i can't financially afford it. But I'm thinking I will have to just figure that one out because my emotional health and my baby's growth are more important than saving money!

The Parent's Choice brand at Walmart is half the price of Similac and comparable in nutrition. I've heard the Costco brand (kirkland's) is good too. If there's any way you qualify for WIC in your state they'll give you nearly all the formula you need each month. Also if you sign up for accounts on the formula websites they'll start sending you checks for $5 off a can. If you have any mom friends ask them to do it too! It does suck that feeding your child has to be so expensive when it's supposed to be free! Sadly the only explanation I've found for the exorbitant price is profits and advertising. Anyway, those are all my tricks!

We use the Costco brand and it has been great. We tried Similac and had all sorts of spitting up problems. LO still spits up, but not nearly as much and the Costco brand (Kirkland) is half the cost.

Also, I'm not sure how you feel about donated breast milk, but there are public sharing websites where you can ask for (and donate) breast milk outside of the milk banks (that can be costly). We met a Mom at a breastfeeding group who was willing to share some of her oversupply for free. So there are a few other options to explore!

cnunes214 · May 2016

Same here! Breastfeeding and pumping was so exhausting and he was constantly hungry. Switched to exclusively FF and he's happy, healthy, and gaining weight beautifully. No need to feel guilty! Glad we are all here to support each other!

Meghan1624 · May 2016

Thank you for posting this! I am the same way, first time momma, breast feeding was not for me but I think it's a wonderful thing. Always appreciate hearing people acknowledge that either choice is best for your baby.

meg_2006 · May 2016

Anyone else having trouble with major spit up? DS is spitting up huge amounts recently at least once a day-like half his bottle. DS1 did the same thing on formula, no reflux or anything and the doctor was never concerned (nor was he very helpful). Is this just normal with formula?

kyraaD · May 2016

meg_2006 said:

Anyone else having trouble with major spit up? DS is spitting up huge amounts recently at least once a day-like half his bottle. DS1 did the same thing on formula, no reflux or anything and the doctor was never concerned (nor was he very helpful). Is this just normal with formula?

I'm assuming it's fairly normal, as my LO spits up quite a bit & is exclusively formula fed.

eivaska · May 2016

Mine doesn't spit up very much, but I do know that Enfamil makes a formula exclusively for spit up. You could give that a try. But unless it's with every feeding maybe not worth the extra expense? I think it's a little more expensive

FutureMrsCaesar · May 2016

The massive spit ups are due to the flap at the bottom of the esophagus not being fully developed yet. It has nothing to do with breastmilk vs formula.

ARogers26 · May 2016

I BF with my first son. EBF with this one too. I loved it the first go round. This time ... Eh. Might intro a bottle soon. Also on the spit up. It is t just formula.

kristiann21 · May 2016

I had my son on similac sensitive and he was spitting up half of his bottle. Pediatrician said its fine as long as he was gaining weight. Well I did not feel comfortable with him pretty much throwing up that much even though it was not projectile. I switched to Gerber soothe and he immediately stopped. He does spit up a little here and there but it's not a lot at all. So it definitely could be the formula.

amyid · May 2016

My supply has been bouncing all over the place, I've gone from pumping 5oz bottles to today only getting about 2-3oz per pumping. I supplement my greedy babe with gentle ease and my Baby doesn't seem to have a pref for Breast milk over formula. I'd exclusively BF if I could but the most important thing is that babies are getting fed period

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