BREASTFEEDING??

Question

I’m not looking to debate,
I’m just curious, are there any 2nd/3rd etc time moms that are choosing NOT to breastfeed from the get go? 
I’m due with my 3rd & I breastfed my first 2 for a little while but not without issues so I’m seriously considering formula from the start. Anyone else?

Answer

I’m planning to breastfeed my second. With my first I expressed for 8 weeks (she was 4 pounds 6 and struggled to suck). Then with a week or two of nipple shields it clicked. Shields came off and she breastfed till 16 months. The expressing was very tiring as I did it 7 times a day to keep my supply up. She had a small amount of formula top up in the first few weeks but I was able to increase my supply over time. I don’t know what breastfeeding will be like with my second. I know I felt massively under informed last time. There is an expectation it should just happen and mothers (myself included) feel guilty and inadequate when the reality is bloody hard and there’s no where near enough support out there. 
When it comes to choices about feeding your baby, there is a balance to be found. There is good evidence that breastfeeding is nutritionally (and emotionally) better for baby. But if the difficulties it brings cause mum’s physical and mental health to suffer, this is just as important. Good luck whatever you decide.

Answer

I’m pregnant with #3... may pump for a few weeks but it makes me dry up without hurting to much then I’ll use only formula. I was never able to breastfeed my first, pumped for a month then gave her formula, my second I tried to breastfeed but after 2 1/2 weeks I was drying up for how much she wanted to eat and my body wasn’t keeping up, 3 days after switching to bottles and formula I was fully dried up. So this time I’m not even going to bother trying to physically breastfeed. I hate pumping all day every day but I’ll survive for a few weeks with formula supplemented in. I’ve come to accept that my body just doesn’t produce well and I will never physically breastfeed. Sucks for my wallet though but you know what as long as my child is eating!

Answer

It was hard and incredibly stressful but I'm going to try again this time. I feel like I have to at least give it a shot. Fingers crossed for more luck this time around!

Answer

Breastfeeding is no joke! My first baby I literally didn’t make any milk and felt so guilty for giving him formula. My second pregnancy, I made enough milk to stop world hunger but got mastitis that quickly led to sepsis. I have NEVER been so sick in my life and thought I was going to die. The multitude of antibiotics I was on were not suitable for breastfeeding and they also quickly dried up my milk. I’m pregnant with number three and I’ve decided as long as my baby is fed, I’m happy. No more shame or guilt. If baby is happy then momma is too! Good luck!

Answer

Breastfeeding is so hard! My first was lip and tongue tied, had an awful latch, and slow milk transfer. We struggled for weeks before getting any help. I ended up pumping for months instead. It’s exhausting. My only hope is things are easier this time around. 
I totally understand how much a struggle it is, and if you don’t want to struggle again and go a straight to formula than go right ahead. Do what’s best for you, and your family to take care of that sweet baby.

Answer

Breastfed my first but had a tough time and still had to supplement with formula. Planning on still breastfeeding my second because 1) Hopefully it will go more smoothly this time 2) Less bottles to wash if you can do ebf 3) buying all that formula can really add up $$$. I tried so hard to ebf my first and he got so dehydrated in that first week... it was really a blessing to have formula because he needed to eat! Whatever way you can get your baby fed is good and don't stress too much about it. They will be fine :)

Answer

My first and I had such a hard time breastfeeding! I was barely producing and it was excruciating even though the lactation consultant said the latch was perfect. I’m so thankful we live in a day where we have formula. It was a life saver. In the end I exclusively breastfed for only 3 months before switching and after we switched to formula we FINALLY got to sleep for more than 45 min increments. I wouldn’t judge anyone for how they choose to feed their baby. FED is best.

Answer

First time I found so hard as I had flat nippes and she had a small mouth (5 pound baby). After 6 weeks it clicked. 
If all goes well this will be number 4 I will try mix feed as I need to go away for a 10 week course when bub is about 6 months. It's a 2 year wait list so I cant back course till bub is older. 
First time around is hard as both of you need to learn next time it's just bub.

Answer

I breastfed my first when I was just 17 I read sooo soo much went to special classes, refused the pacifiers...but she was born with a need to suck (yup they even said so in the hospital) she could easily feed for an hour and still not be happy. She never did latch right and since I had slightly inverted nipples it made latching extra hard so I had to use a shield. It was rough and I was constantly feeding her! Went in for her 6 week check up and she had lost weight. I look back on pictures and it’s horrifying to me now, I saw her everyday, so seeing the slow change was not possible. We didn’t have enough money for a good pump just a handheld which didn’t really work. So I slowly started producing less and tried to keep breastfeeding but she had to have a high calorie formula supplemented in to help her gain weight. I’ve been kicked off Facebook breastfeeding groups just for sharing that story. but I will never shame a mother for doing what’s needed for their child! 
Going in this round I feel soo much better prepared with this subject, I’m going to try to breastfeed BUT we have already invested in the very best top of the line breastpump (the spectra s2 is on sale for a good deal right now in many stores including amazon!) I’m not going to listen to every single thing the strong breastfeeding community pushed on me like last time such as (absolutely no pacifiers, no bottles ever even of breast milk because It will cause nipple confusion! Only feed every 3 hours, etc etc) I’m going to listen to my baby, have pacifiers on hand if baby needs them, pump what I can and build up my supply while I can in those days where it’s literally falling out of your boobs and then have supplemental formula on hand as a back up! 
A happy healthy FED baby is all that matters!

Answer

Breastfeed my son till he was 3. 
Not breastfeeding my daughter due in November unless I can successfully pump. 
You’re not alone :)

BREASTFEEDING??

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