BF Chat.....

OK, Im getting anxious about the BFing already... I just remember feeling so... tied down.... overwhelmed and like I needed a break from the 24-7. My sister is BFing her 4th child as if its a part of her life, doesnt phase her. I just cant seem to get the hang of it (or maybe I dont want to ) I know I would embrace supplementing from day 1, is this possible, or am I giving up before even trying ? ( I wont even ask my sister that question )

Having my boys in the house and the newborn, I just see myself needing a break at least at nite when hubby can give him a bottle here and there...

The post on who gets up at night just brought some flashbacks and got me thinking again...

For my own sanity, Id love to supplement from the start so that I have a routine established, and pumping while he gets a bottle almost defeats the purpose of getting a break..
and that wouldnt establish a routine of supply and demand because my body would think the baby is feeding at those times...

Suggestions?

Message edited 7/28/2006 2:24:18 PM.

Re: BF Chat.....

i think you could supplement from the beginning. you have to do what's going to work best for you. there's that whole nipple confusion debate, but i don't know if that's all a bunch of crap anyhow. you might want to try nursing/pumping maybe just for like the 1st 2 weeks or so though just to make sure you establish a good supply.

Re: BF Chat.....

I think its fine to supplement from the beginning, most of my friends BF their baby during the day and give the baby formula at night and they haven't had any problems at all. Just make sure that you BF (or pump) as much as you can to make sure your supply stays strong!!!

Good luck!

Re: BF Chat.....

I say supplement from the start. The girl I shared a room with in the hospital had her third child, too (three boys as well!), and she felt the same way. So she would have them give him a bottle at night in the hospital then BF him during the day, this way it was established from the get go.

Re: BF Chat.....

If its what you want to do, then do it. There is no harm from supplementing in the beginning. My mom never BF or my sister and we came out allright You have to do whatever will work for you.

Re: BF Chat.....

Thanks ladies !

I guess Im getting flashbacks and I just started panicking already
I def would be happier BFing if it was part time

Re: BF Chat.....

I do not supplement, I Breast Feed on cue. I do not feel tied down. Tired, sure, especially in the beginning I was exhausted! Until we got the hang of it, now it's like second nature. I guess I am like your sister,it doesn't phase me, I am providing nourishment for our DD is all . You have to do what you feel is right to you with your individual situation.

Re: BF Chat.....

Message edited 2/8/2007 12:47:00 PM.

Re: BF Chat.....

First of all, i know how you feel. I never expected bf to take so much time, but i'm doing it because i only have 12 weeks with my baby before i go to work and i want to support his health and our bond.

My DH was giving our son a one bottle at night from the first week while i bf the rest of the day. He took either one easily, there was no nipple confusion. we stopped doing this for now, but when I go back to work in Sept, I plan to supplement during the day.

Re: BF Chat.....

I know it may be difficult especially with a third child on the way and trying to juggle everything going on - but maybe you can just try breastfeeding even for a little bit - and see if its for you or not. The colostrum is always good for the baby to get in the beginning - whatever amount your child gets - its always better than nothing - and then if you choose to not BF anymore - just start giving formula.

I had a hard time breastfeeding - breastfeed and pumped for about one month and my supply never seemed to really increase - but i got the satisfaction in knowing i tried and gave my daughter some of my milk/colostrum. I definitely became a happy woman and mother after i started giving her formula - because of my milk issues etc.... but you have nothing to loose - see what works - if not - there is nothing wrong with formula.

Re: BF Chat.....

If breastfeeding is important to you, I would just breastfeed for the first three weeks and start supplementing after your supply is well established.

If you don't care whether or not breastfeeding works out, then supplement from the beginning and whatever happens, happens.

Re: BF Chat.....

i breastfed my first two so when my third was born i didn't even think twice about it. Well after the first two weeks i was suffering with trying to meet the demands of BFing and taking care of two other kids. it just was not easy and i couldn't do it. i gave up! i had my regrets but the baby did just fine! good luck!

Re: BF Chat.....

I knew some passionate BFers would come on in

I have a "rah-rah-booby girl" in my family-- my twin sister can be handed the President of BFers award, the Booby Drill Sargeant, you name it.
Heck she nursed my son (we were preggo at the same time) when I was about to get a bottle of formula

I have BFd both my boys for 2-3m, so Ive been down the "Try it - see if you like it" road. thats why Im posting this


I personally didnt feel that magical bond, when I was sleep deprived, cracked and bleeding from BF, and recovering from a c/s. A fresh shower, extra sleep, and a bottle of formula, and we bonded like never before

I know how important the colostrum is and how ANY milk I give him is great, so I will try my best to give him the 2-3m his brothers got
(and then zia will come with her pom-poms to cheer me on for more
)

Either way, I know the baby is getting nutrition

Thanks ladies

Re: BF Chat.....

My twin breastfed her daughter until she was three, so I know how you feel. For her second, she only did it for about 5 months. She found it too difficult. Our other friend has 4 kids & would stop nursing one when the other was born.

I didn't mind breastfeeding because it was a set time where I was focusing just on Maddie. My DH was responsible for Joseph during that time - which is how Joseph learned how to cook a little bit, crack on egg etc --- all at 22 months. I did breastfeed Maddie for a shorter period of time because it was hard with a toddler running around. If you get all of two seconds of breastfeeding in with 2 toddlers & a newborn, I'd say you're doing a good job.

If you think supplementing is the way to go, then do it part time. That way you get the best of both worlds.

Re: BF Chat.....

I supplemented from day one. The ped told me to have Peter give Stephanos his 10pm bottle so that I could have 4-6 hrs of uninterrupted sleep. I BFd or pumped the rest of the time.