How does pumping and formula feeding work?

Question

I’m 30 weeks and being pressured to breastfeed but it’s not really what I want to do. I’m ok with pumping but I don’t want that to be all I’m ever doing. Anyone have advice on how to do both?

Answer

I tried breast-feeding for about a week and a half, it just got exhausting so I switched to strictly pumping. I make sure I pump every three hours, about 30 minutes before the baby needs to eat. So say he needs to eat at 8 o’clock, I would pump at 7:30. At night I do the same thing, but I don’t wake him up to take the bottle, I let him wake up on his own and then I’ll feed him. I switched to strictly pumping because I was exhausted, and I could have anybody feed him so I could sleep. Initially I did feel guilty not breast-feeding him, I got the pressure from everyone too, but my baby is getting everything he needs from breastmilk so why does it matter whether it’s from the boob or the bottle? It’s not what you feed them that’s important its that you feed them that’s important, whether it’s breast milk or formula, and anyone else that has their opinion can shove it lol you’re the momma! Formula or breastmilk #fedisbest

Answer

Don’t breast feed just bc your pressured to do so. Do whatever works for you. I breastfed for the first 4 months... plus supplementing. Now I’m pumping which is a lot harder I feel.. and we’re mixing breastmilk with formula bc I can’t produce enough.

Answer

I personally had zero desire to breastfeed or pump. So I didn’t even try it 🤷🏻‍♀️ my daughter has only had formula since day one and is perfectly happy and healthy! I have zero regrets. You have to do what’s best for you and your baby.

Answer

I think the only upside to breast feeding is that your milk will change to what the baby needs because the saliva on your nipple basically tells your glands what to produce (like if your baby is sick, it will give extra antibodies). It took me a while to stop feeling guilty about discontinuing breastfeeding. I was pumping for a while but I've since discontinued that as well. It's been hard getting over the guilt but I remind myself that fed is best. My son has a milk protein allergy so he's on special formula. A dairy/soy free diet is very hard as milk and soy are in so many foods! Plus pumping is so time consuming when dealing with an infant who is colicky and I also have a 4 year old. I'll be going back to work soon so that's another added stress. Good luck I hope it all works out for you!

Answer

If you don't feel comfortable now, you definitely won't be comfortable actually doing it. I breastfed and I plan on doing it again. So I am not pushing formula for no reason. Your best bet is probably just to use formula. As for how to do it. Pick maybe 3 different types of bottles and buy one or two bottles. Don't buy formula. There is no way to know what your baby will be able to eat. The hospital will tell you what they've been feeding your baby and send you home with trials. You can buy after you've had that test period. In that same time, you'll have an idea of what bottle is most suitable for your baby and can buy as many of that style as necessary.

Answer

I wasn’t making enough for our LO. I pump every 2-3 hours and store one bottle in the fridge and give one bottle to feed. After the bottle of BM, I offer a bottle of formula because the total breast milk wouldn’t have been enough. She’s having better poops/more wet diapers, seems more alert, and sleeps better. I save the pumped bottles in the fridge for night time feedings when my partner or mother can also help if I need the sleep.

Answer

I started off breastfeeding but I didn’t get to work on my supply as early as I should have. Nobody told me you can ask for a breast pump in the hospital 🙄 by the time I figured that out I already had a mental breakdown from the whole thing which was partially due to lack of sleep 🤤. Anyways I breastfed for about a month and then I had baby blues so I stayed at my moms house for about a week or two so she could help me with the baby as I’m a FTM. But my nephews and sister live with her so the thought of breastfeeding in front of everyone was a little uncomfortable for me but props to the moms who breastfeed anywhere 👏🏽 that’s just not my thing. So I switched to pumping and he was getting full when I could get enough milk but I couldn’t produce enough milk as often as he wanted to eat so I had to supplement which then turned into straight formula feeding at 2 1/2 months old. Which isn’t a bad thing my other sister (she tried breastfeeding her first daughter but ended up bottle feeding but now with her second she’s strictly breastfeeding even still after almost 2 years) told me this “don’t feel bad for switching to formula it’s not for everyone you don’t get a gold metal for doing it so do what makes things easier for you F what other people have to say it’s your choice.” I was pressured into breastfeeding and it didn’t work out but my son is a healthy chunky 4 month old so forget what people want you to do do what makes you comfortable. 😊👍🏽

How does pumping and formula feeding work?

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