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Googlybear
i got a mama's boy!!
Member since 10/11 1132 total posts
Name:
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formula feeding vs breastfeeding
Was just wondering if anyone ever gave up on the breastfeeding bit?? My ds is having a hard time latching and all it does is frustrate us both. I spoke again to the lactation specialist and was told that for him to latch onto theone side he has refused from the get go would be impossible at this point. still planning to go to support meetings, but im almost at the point that i have given up. I am trying to pump and give him that milk,, but it doent hold him and takes longer tp prepare when he is hungry. Is it really terrible wrong at this point to give up and give in to formula?? I feel like some make it sound so simple, when in fact breast feeding has been the hardest part of havinga newborn...Sorry this is a bit long and im tired and extremely frustrated.. TIA!
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Posted 7/29/12 12:16 PM  |
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july4mrsO
Happy boy!
Member since 5/10 2867 total posts
Name:
Jess
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formula feeding vs breastfeeding
The first couple of weeks are really hard and there were a few times I wanted to give up. It's not at all terribly wrong to give your LO formula if you decide that's what you need to do. As long as you and your LO are happy and healthy. But I will say, if BF is something that's really important to you then you should give it a little more time. I know how frustrating it can be but for me it got a lot easier after the first two weeks. Good luck!
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| Posted 7/29/12 1:26 PM |
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spa118
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 2157 total posts
Name:
Shari
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
It is absolutely not wrong to formula feed your child. Please do not feel guilt over it if that is what is best for you and your child. I stopped bf'ing after 4 days. DD is now 2.5 and totally thriving. The formula did not do her any harm.
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| Posted 7/29/12 1:52 PM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
I fully planned on BFing my DD. I took the class while PG, and started BFing in the hospital. I went in knowing that it wasn't going to be easy, but I really wanted to do it. However, my sister had had a bad experience BFing my nephew ,which resulted in him getting dehydrated and being readmitted to the hospital, and put in the NICU. Because of this, I was hypervigilant about signs of dehydration and was super-concerned about DD getting enough. Once I came home, DD was still screaming after feeding. I knew she wasn't latching well, and I tried giving her a nursette of formula. She sucked it down and seemed satisfied, and I felt better. I decided that I would supplement with formula to start, even though that isn't what's recommended. Within days, I was just giving her formula. I struggled a lot with my decision, and felt a lot of guilt, especially when my milk came in. I think I was just too overwhelmed and stressed being home with a new baby, and I am not good at persisting at things that don't come easily to me.
DD is now 6 weeks. When I look back at those first days, I wish that I had at least given BFing more of a shot and sought help, just so I felt like I gave it a fair chance. I did enjoy the connection of BFing. That said, I no longer feel guilty, and am happy to be able to share feeding responsibilities with DH (especially at night!). I am glad not to be attached to a pump and feel that this will be better for me when I go back to work. For my mental and emotional health, I made the right decision for my family. You have to do what works for you. Try as long as you feel you can, and then if you make the decision to stop, feel confident in it, and know that your baby will be happy, healthy, and bonded to you no matter which way you feed him.
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| Posted 7/29/12 2:00 PM |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
Don't feel terrible. It's so sad that formula gets such a bad rap bc of the whole "breast is best" trend. You do what's best and most comfortable for both you and the baby. Try not to listen to what others tell you. They are not you and they are not living your life. You know what works and what is best. Believe in yourself. I am only beginning to do the same and finding out, momma really does know what is best!!!
Breastfeeding didn't work for my DD either. It was pushed so much in the hospital and we were both so frustrated. I gave up once I got home and invested in a pump and gave her breastmilk that way. I'm still being criticized for it and that it will never work. Dd is 10 weeks old and I've been pumping every single day. I refuse to give her formula unless I have to bc of not being able to meet her daily demands. I refuse to feel bad once that time comes though bc I know I will have done my best.
As long as you believe you are doing the best for you and your child, you cannot go wrong either way 
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| Posted 7/29/12 2:27 PM |
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HoneymoonBaby
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/11 635 total posts
Name:
CJ
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formula feeding vs breastfeeding
My baby never latched ( combo of my flat nipples/ her NICU stay) so I pumped and she got her breast milk by bottle. She is 3 months now and I just started giving her 1/2 formula & 1/2 breast milk bottles at night. She slept through the night for the first time with the half n half bottle. So even if you cant BF you can still pump and give the baby breast milk. The only problem is that you become very very attached to your machine and when the baby finally sleeps you have to pump!
Message edited 7/29/2012 2:30:05 PM.
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| Posted 7/29/12 2:28 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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formula feeding vs breastfeeding
I tried to BF and it was making me and DS unhappy. DS was not getting enough so he was constantly crying which made me crazy....I stopped and changed to formula. Made a huge difference.
Do whatever you feel is best for the both of you....do not let anyone talk you into one way or the other....there is only one right way and that is whatever is right for you!!!!!!!
Message edited 7/29/2012 2:42:03 PM.
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| Posted 7/29/12 2:40 PM |
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maybesoon
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 5981 total posts
Name:
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
Posted by alli3131
I tried to BF and it was making me and DS unhappy. DS was not getting enough so he was constantly crying which made me crazy....I stopped and changed to formula. Made a huge difference.
Do whatever you feel is best for the both of you....do not let anyone talk you into one way or the other....there is only one right way and that is whatever is right for you!!!!!!!
Same for both of my kids, I pumped but they were so hungry ( and I was so tired!) They were much happier on formula. In the long run it didn't matter, wish I didn't stress out about it
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| Posted 7/29/12 2:56 PM |
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Googlybear
i got a mama's boy!!
Member since 10/11 1132 total posts
Name:
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
for mehe just really isnt latching. I unfortunately didnt get to be with him right after he was born and my nipples are not up to par with my breast size. the combination isnot working out. Also milk still isnt really coming in. I do feel guilty, because i do want what isbest and most natural for my ds. I dont judge others decisions, but am having a hard time coming to terms that this may not work.. which just makes me so upset.. i dont like failing at anything and i feel like im failing at this.
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| Posted 7/29/12 3:53 PM |
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Hemicat
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/11 408 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
Posted by MaZz
Don't feel terrible. It's so sad that formula gets such a bad rap bc of the whole "breast is best" trend. You do what's best and most comfortable for both you and the baby.
This exactly! I was so hell bent on BF - took classes, had a lactation consultant, bought a pump, etc. I thought things were going well in the hospital - until DD developed jaundice and my ped said I HAD to pump so I could measure and supplement with formula because she was bordering needing phototherapy! It wasn't until I started pumping that I realized next to nothing was happening. I had no choice. I continued pumping for the first 30 days and never really got more than an ounce out of each side. She's FF and doing great.
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| Posted 7/29/12 4:12 PM |
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yankeebaby
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/12 850 total posts
Name:
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
I gave up after 3 months. I had other problems though. My milk was very very low. Did you try a shield? I spend months crying and had a hard hard time. I took every supplement that was out there. When I finally made the choice to stop it was the best thing for all of us. He is very healthy and happy.
Message edited 7/29/2012 4:22:00 PM.
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| Posted 7/29/12 4:18 PM |
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LittleBlueBug
Happy Mommy
Member since 9/06 4074 total posts
Name:
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
I BF'd for 2 mos with formula supplement at night and then went strictly to FF-ing. We were having some difficulty latching and between BF-ing, pumping, etc I felt that all I was doing was working on feeding, feeding, feeding. I was exhausted and it wasnt a positive experience anymore. It is far more important for feeding to be positive for both momma and baby...sometimes that doesnt happen with the boob. Dont feel bad. You gave what you gave and if its no longer a positive experience, there is nothing wrong with formula.
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| Posted 7/29/12 4:24 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
Posted by Googlybear
for mehe just really isnt latching. I unfortunately didnt get to be with him right after he was born and my nipples are not up to par with my breast size. the combination isnot working out. Also milk still isnt really coming in. I do feel guilty, because i do want what isbest and most natural for my ds. I dont judge others decisions, but am having a hard time coming to terms that this may not work.. which just makes me so upset.. i dont like failing at anything and i feel like im failing at this.
Did you actually meet with a LC or did you just speak to one? If you really want to keep trying, I would definitely suggest trying to get one to meet with you so they can try to help you in person. I don't know why they would tell you he'll never take the other side.
If it doesn't work, you should not feel bad about it at all! You've already given DS some of the best benefits just by BFing the first few days. No matter what you choose, DS will thrive. BFing is so stressful the first few weeks but when it works it gets much easier. If it doesn't, then you need to do what makes you and DS happy! GL
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| Posted 7/29/12 4:47 PM |
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Cacarina
Two girls!
Member since 12/09 2971 total posts
Name:
Cari
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Re: formula feeding vs breastfeeding
Posted by Googlybear
for mehe just really isnt latching. I unfortunately didnt get to be with him right after he was born and my nipples are not up to par with my breast size. the combination isnot working out. Also milk still isnt really coming in. I do feel guilty, because i do want what isbest and most natural for my ds. I dont judge others decisions, but am having a hard time coming to terms that this may not work.. which just makes me so upset.. i dont like failing at anything and i feel like im failing at this.
I had a similar issue. My nipples are small and my breasts are really large. Dd didn't latch in the beginning. In the hospital she didn't feed at all because of latch issues. Then a lactation consultant came in and helped. She ultimately decided that a nipple shield was my best bet if I wanted to nurse. It was a lifesaver!!! Dd latched right on and has been doing great on the shield for 6 weeks.
She just turned 6 weeks and we are almost fully off the Shield. I think since she is bigger and has a better suction she is able to latch to my breast better.
So while I know many ppl will say a nipple shield is not good...I recommend it. If it weren't for the nipple shield I would not have continued to breast feed!
Good luck!
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| Posted 7/29/12 4:51 PM |
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