FTM here. I have no idea if I am going to BF or FF or both. I have no qualms with either as long as baby is being fed and healthy. Ideally, I have heard of people doing both. Has anyone done this from the start, successfully? I heard it can cause engorgement issues, but some moms say they don't have that issue doing both. I have also heard from reputable websites not to mix breast milk and formula in the same bottle, but alternating bottles of a single milk (either breast or formula) is ok. Yet, I see posts where people mix both in the same bottle. I also find it weird that when I go to find information on buying formula, they have the first 2 pages about breast feeding. How does one even get straight up, non-propaganda information, for one-side or the other, these days? https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/baby-formula/buying-guide.htm
How do you BF and FF, if you do?
With my youngest (now 7) I BF and FF. I went back to school 1 week after he was born and had no choice. I pumped and breast fed and formula fed because I could not pump enough at school to make up for not breast feeding all the time. He liked the bottle better, as it was much easier to get food from (didn't matter if the bottle was BM or formula). We nursed/formula fed for 4 months until I was in the hospital overnight for emergency gall bladder removal and they would not bring me a pump or let the baby come stay with me. I dried up almost instantly.
@DoulaTog13 Yes!! Call your LC! I am surprised at how many people struggle, yet never call them. I went 6 times in three weeks because my LO was not gaining. I'm so glad I didn't give up because Insm still breastfeeding 19 months later!
I know breastfeeding doesn't work all women, but I think a lot of women hear negative things and believe them. I am so thankful I had others to answer my questions and support me. I had an emergency csection, LO was in NICU, I had PPD, I worked full time.... I had so many reasons I could have given up- but I'm thankful I didn't!
Re: Breastfeeding and Pumping
I know breastfeeding doesn't work all women, but I think a lot of women hear negative things and believe them. I am so thankful I had others to answer my questions and support me. I had an emergency csection, LO was in NICU, I had PPD, I worked full time.... I had so many reasons I could have given up- but I'm thankful I didn't!