Support For Mothers Who Bottle Feed

[SamanthaJane]

Hi, i started the thread on "the Big Debate" and im a bit sick of it going around in circles and becoming quite nasty so i thought i'd create a new thread of support for bottle feeding mothers:D

This thread is intended for all bottle feeding mothers, or those who plan to bottle feed or anyone that wants to have a read of our experiences:D

But i better set some rules incase it turns out to be a "debate"

Rules Of This Thread:yes: (feel free to add ur own too!!)
Only Those members who wish to add positive, supportive comments may submit posts to this thread

No member is to submit posts that are negative in regards to formula/bottle feeding (Edit- Feel free to whinge about personal experiences regarding costs, efforts of bottle feeding etc but please qenuine comments only please, theres no need to post about the issue of breast is best because it is less expensive, easier etc etc etc)

No member is to negatively question another member regarding their reasons to bottle feed

No member is to submit a post that disrespects the feelings of mothers who bottle feed (whether it be by choice, or for reasons beyond their control)

No member is to submit posts that are negative toward breast feeding mothers

No member is to submit a post about the bad effects on formula feeding (if we want these facts we can google them in our personal, private time)

Okay thats all i can think of at this particular second, but i'll add more as i think of them.... and u can too! Please help to create a positive, helpful thread for all mothers who bottle feed or those who are simply interested in our experiences.

Thankyou for being positive bubhub members:hugs:

[Taylors_mum]

Samantha good on you for starting this thread.

Like i said in my PM only you know whats best for you and your baby!!:yes:

[SamanthaJane]

Thankyou:hugs:

I think its important that every mother knows what is best for her:D

[Baby Girl]

As a mum who has fed both breast and bottle I am happy to support either side of the arguement. Breast feeding is not for everyone and I totally understand that as bottle feeding is not for everyone either. As mothers we are an elite group and should be supporting each other through our daily child rearing struggles not condemning each other for doing what works for them.

I will be keeping an eye on this thread as I copped a lot of flack for bottle feeding my DD2 from 6 weeks and wish I had someone to talk to at the time.

Good idea Sam. Aftreall, there is plenty of support threads for breastfeeders so why not bottle feeders too :thumbsup:

[reAllytee]

Nice thread :D

[SamanthaJane]

Was "Sharvs" idea through a pm thank her aswell:hugs:

[Kaileysmum]

Good for you. It'll be nice to be able to talk about FF without the "breast is best" comment, as we all know that.

Hopefully this stays a positive thread.:thumbsup:

[PMS]

Well all I will say is that you have to do what is right for YOU and for your baby and if that happens to be bottlefeeding then :thumbsup: . Yes; breast is best but it is not for everyone. The only thing that really matters is that your baby and yourself are healthy and happy!
My DD was breast fed for 5 mths then put on formula (self weaned) and DS was breast fed for nine mths then formula (also self weaned). They are both healthy, happy and well adjusted children.
So to all the mums who are currently bottle feeding or planning to :hugs:

[Oscar's mum]

I agree that you should do what you think is right for your baby! Wether that be FF or BF!

I did ask a question in the last thread but since that has been closed I thought I would post in here! If it is not appropriate I will happily delete my post!:thumbsup:

Someone mentioned that they choose not to breastfeed because they are uncomfortable with it. I just am curious to know what they find uncomfy about it?

[Chickadee]

I'm all for supporting all mothers regardless of how they feed their bubs, but I'm confused by this part of your rules:

No member is to sumbit posts that are negative in regards to formula/bottle feeding

There are some negatives and cons that I experienced with bottlefeeding, like for example the cost of formula and the need to plan your feeds when I went out somewhere. Are these off limit for discussion even though they are part of the reality of formula feeding?

[Shazbutt]

Firstly Samantha, good on you for starting this thread. :thumbsup:

To answer Oscarsmum - i was uncomfortable with BF as i personally thought it was horrible and it felt disgusting to me (no-one jump on me for that please :o ) That was just me personally. I don't think of anyone who BF as horrible & disgusting, it was just MY feelings for MY body. I applaud everyone who CAN BF and feel wonderful about it. I felt embarrassed doing it even around my DH, and couldn't imagine ever doing it in public. I did express at first, but in the end i didn't have enough supply and DD was losing weight. I felt relieved that it was taken out of my hands. I didn't want to go through all that agian and have the same result, so i FF DD2 from birth. They were my reasons...it just didn't feel 'right'....

[Oscar's mum]

i was uncomfortable with BF as i personally thought it was horrible and disgusting (no-one jump on me for that please :o )


Ahh now I understand! No criticism (sp)? coming from my way!

[SamanthaJane]

I'm all for supporting all mothers regardless of how they feed their bubs, but I'm confused by this part of your rules:
There are some negatives and cons that I experienced with bottlefeeding, like for example the cost of formula and the need to plan your feeds when I went out somewhere. Are these off limit for discussion even though they are part of the reality of formula feeding?


In that rule it sorta means like... dont come in here and say bottle feeding is bad because breast is better

Feel free to have a whinge about the costs and the effort it takes to bottle feed, as long as its not coming from a member who is just making posts trying to annoy bottle feeding mums:D

Hope this answers the question:confused:

Edit- I added this to the 1st post i made about rules

[Sarie]

I also commented that I was uncomfortable doing this.
I'm not one for showing myself in public and the thought of B/F just horrified me. I wouldn't be able to do it with people around and just the thought of it turned my stomach.
Like Shannon I'm not saying that B/F is awful or horrid, infact I'm sure it is a wonderful experience for those who love it.
But when I couldn't do it I must admit I was relieved.
Great idea for a thread though Samantha!

[SamanthaJane]

Just wanted to say that i love that this thread has so far stayed nice and supportive :fingerscrossed: it stays that way

Thanks girls:D :D :D

[veve]

I agree... awesome thread... it is often difficult to get support for this (I'm lucky... I have a spectacular GP)

hmm with regard to feeling uncomfortable - I feel that way too- I detested the struggle I had trying to be discrete... and with the fast flow I had I often had to cover myself in terry clothes to keep myself dry! - adding to the fact that Jack attached well ... but bruised me chronically - no one could help me avoid it ... he and I reached a compromise!! yay...

breaky and dinner are breast.... morning tea and lunch are bottle... and he and I are very very happy with that arrangement...

now that we have had solids... Jack eats boob... bottle... spoon (usually three spoons at once :laughing: ) and dummy... what a clever kid :D

xxx

[Jax Tellers Old Lady]

Great thread sam. keep up the positive comments. I have really never thought of formula as being expensive would love to hear other peoples views on this. To me the nappies are more expensive

[jkate]

Great idea for a thread, I hope :fingerscrossed: that it stays positive.

I am constantly feeling quitly for not giving up breastfeeding Travis, every day I wonder if I did the right thing. But then I relise that it was for the best, I cant believe what difference it has made for all of us. As so many people said to me you have to do what is best for you and your child. And for me it also was the best for Aden and my husband as well. I hope I am making sense. You see I was so tired and exhuasted while breastfeeding Travis, and with just recently moving and having a very demanding 2 yr old, as well that Travis was just so fussy on the breast. I was physically and mentally drian. Since I stop breastfeeding I have found that I have a lot more engery (there are still some days where I feel exhausted) and the kids dont have a b***hy mum anymore. Thats my story :ecomcity: .

So for all the mums who are bottlefeeding for whatever reason, I am here to support you for I know how it feels. :hugs:

[Funkychicken]

Great thread sam. keep up the positive comments. I have really never thought of formula as being expensive would love to hear other peoples views on this. To me the nappies are more expensive
OOOhhhhh-go check out the threads on cloth nappies-it puts the cost of disposables in perspective.:)

[Shazbutt]

OOOhhhhh-go check out the threads on cloth nappies-it puts the cost of disposables in perspective.

Too right! No way could i spend that much on something that catches waste! :eek: When i used cloth for DD1 i used good old terry squares....never had a prob.

[Sarie]

When I started ff in hospital none of the midwives came anywhere near me. Once they told me how much I should be feeding I didn't see them except for when they came to take my temp and check my stiches. I may not have be breast feeding but I was still a first time mum!

[Shazbutt]

There's no reason first time mums should be disregarded, in any way! We still need all the help we can get!

Mine were pretty good with DD2 (as i didn't FF DD1 while in hospital). One of the midwives pressured me :mad: , and i caved and tried to BF once, but other than that all the others were really supportive.

[Sarie]

Exactly. I was to scared to even bath Nat on my own when we first came home. I didn't do it for about 2 weeks.

[cosmic]

Once they told me how much I should be feeding I didn't see them except for when they came to take my temp and check my stiches.
That's horrible, Sarie. Even if they don't agree with your feeding choice, that's no reason to treat you like a 2nd class citizen. :thumbsdown:

[PinkBinkie]

hI gIRLS

BubbaGanash - I felt exactly the same way!

Breastfeeding was such a struggle. I had no idea it would be difficult, I thought it just happened naturally. I must have really been in dreamland when pregnant :D I cried through all the breastfeeds and dreaded each feed. All I needed was someone to say it's Ok to Bottle feed, and I found that in my MIL. What a life saver! I too had advice from midwifes while in hosp and from my chn plus midwifes that home visit. But all had different techniques for attachment, how to hold bub etc. I was more confused and frustrated then ever!

Such a relief when I started to bottle feed bubby at 1 week old. Those were the 7 longest days of my life! (Bubs had oral thrush so my nipples became infected - extremely painful).

[Sarie]

That's horrible, Sarie. Even if they don't agree with your feeding choice, that's no reason to treat you like a 2nd class citizen. :thumbsdown:
Hey C!
I was a bit shocked, I'd had a horrid labour and even though no one said anything to me about bottle feeding (except for a forigen trainee doctor) I still didn't receive any help, just muddled through.

[Kaileysmum]

hI gIRLS

I cried through all the breastfeeds and dreaded each feed. All I needed was someone to say it's Ok to Bottle feed, and I found that in my MIL. What a life saver! .

I felt exactly the same. I just wanted to bottle feed so bad because I dreaded breast feeding so much, that I would cringe when dd woke up for a feed. Then when my midwife came to visit at home I talked to her about it she said it was "ok" to bottle feed, I think I just felt like I needed someone to say that, as I thought Id be a bad person if I didnt BF. The day I put dd on the bottle was the day I really accepted her and felt happy about having a baby, as I didnt have to have all that trouble with her, as she wouldnt attach, she'd just scream, and then she'd scream because she was hungry. So while Breast feeding her cycle was scream and sleep. But on the bottle she was a happy baby that never cryed.

I thank god for formula, otherwise I would have post natal depression. Also a good thing with formula is they seem to sleep longer and start sleeping through quicker.

[Kaileysmum]

When I started ff in hospital none of the midwives came anywhere near me. Once they told me how much I should be feeding I didn't see them except for when they came to take my temp and check my stiches. I may not have be breast feeding but I was still a first time mum!

Hey sarie,
Was it the same for your next child??? When I have another baby, I want to FF from day 1, but I'm a bit worried about the midwifes, as they push you to BF so much. I BF in hospital, and put dd on formula the 2 day I was home.

[Jax Tellers Old Lady]

when my son was born i found the midwifes to be some what hypocritical keanu developed jaundice as a result from a failed vacumn xtraction he was then put in an incubator for three whole days and nights under special lights it was heartbreaking for me to see him like that i wasnt allowed to cuddle or hold him. I was only allowed to get him out for feeds. My nipples were cracked and soooo painful each feed was terrible he needed alot of fluids to flush the jaundice out of his system so they told me to breastfeed and then top him up on formula to get him to sleep so that he could go back in the incubator. Then when i asked the midwifes if it was ok that i just carried on bottlefeeding as i couldnt get the attachment right and that he settled so much better they turned around and said that the minute i start bottle feeeding it i will be starting to wean him off the breast. It was the midwifes that told me to give him the bottle in the first place. I was so upset and we have no family here so was a huge emotional time with noone to support me but my partner and this was our first baby. When i finally got him home i continued to breastfeed but when he would feed he was on there for over an hour each feed. In the end it was just too much my partner was working nights and i was home all alone and getting no sleep so decided that bottle feeding was my best option since then i have never looked back. I know they say breast is best but in my opinion whats best is what is working well for you and your baby. I have never regretted my decision as i feel it helped me be more relaxed and was able to bond better with keanu. My next baby will be bottle fed from day one. I say stick to your guns as we are the mothers and we know best. At the end of the day i am happy with my choice and i have a happy baby i couldnt ask for more than that.:ecomcity:

[mummydee]

I ff DS from birth, and I am currently ff DD, also from birth. I made this choice after I also found breastfeeding very uncomfortable. I wasnt worried about flopping them out in public, it was more a feeling that it was wrong. it also hurt quite alot, and while attempting to feed, both bubs would become unsettled because I was uncomfortable.

My Mum also had this problem, although she didnt tell me until after I decided I couldnt tolerate bf.

I am a midwife, and I make it a point not to force "breast is best" on new mums I am looking after. What is best for your baby is what gets you and bubs through the day.......and night.

[EskimoMumma]

hey girls im all for ff bubs as well! My ds was ff from about 6-8 weeks and DD has been ff from birth. Yay for bottlefeeding..

I have to ask though, those avent handles for the bottles.. they any good for say a strong 5mo old girl to hold?? :idea:

[Taylors_mum]

I have really never thought of formula as being expensive would love to hear other peoples views on this. To me the nappies are more expensive

I used to think Formula was expensive. I had DD on S26 Gold and have just changed to the Heinz formula. I was a bit scared about changing formula's because i didnt want her to get an upset tummy. But she took to the new formula REALLY well if anything she is doing better on this formula (doing #2 more often, whereas on S26 she would get a bit constipated from time to time).

Nappies are expensive and i only use Huggies (all the others leak or dont fit properly) i found the trick is to check out all the catalogs and find out which supermarket/dapartment store has them on special (they are normally around $40 a box but when they have specials you can get them for around $30). Buy as many boxes as you can afford why they are on special and then you dont have to worry about them for awhile. Also if you have a Toys R Us near you then have them on a everyday price for $35.

[Taylors_mum]

I have to ask though, those avent handles for the bottles.. they any good for say a strong 5mo old girl to hold?? :idea:

I have been looking for these handles EVERYWHERE. Can someone please tell me where i can get them from???

I think your bubs should be able to hold them. My DD is 6mths and i want to get some for her Avent bottles.

If you have a look in the shops they make sippy cups from 4mths+ so im sure your bubs will be fine with the handles.

[bronny-jane]

wow a happy ff thread:wave: . i ff both my dd's and will ff this baby as well, with my first dd the midwifes tried to force bf on me, but with dd 2 they didnt even question my choice.:thumbsup:

dont even get me started on nappies:no:

[Sarie]

Hey sarie,
Was it the same for your next child??? When I have another baby, I want to FF from day 1, but I'm a bit worried about the midwifes, as they push you to BF so much. I BF in hospital, and put dd on formula the 2 day I was home.

Hi Hon!
Second time round was much better... I think somewhat because I knew from the day I found out I was pregnant that I'd ff and also being older and having gone through it already, sort of knew what I was doing.
Though with number 1 I had to provided everything, bottles formula etc. 2nd time round we went to a different hospital and they provided everything. I asked for a bottle and they brought it.
I also had the same midwife look after me on the ward that had taken care of me during labour so that was a really special experience. PJ had also been in special care so it was an easier option for them as well.
If you want to ff from day one put your foot down. Don't let them push you into something you don't want to do. I didn't have anyone try and push me this time, which was lovely and all the nurses were very helpful this time.
I'm ttc#3 at the moment and he/she will also be ff from day one. I'm just hoping that this time I'll be able to come home the same day:thumbsup:

[SamanthaJane]

Hey everyone, im trying to research different formulas at the moment

Could you all please say what formula you used (or have used) , how much it is etc. Just so i can get to know prices and quality.... things like that:D

Thanks:smiliedance:

[Shazbutt]

I mostly used/use s26 (normal, not gold) - around $16 from coles/woolies? (Our local chemist marks it up to $24 :eek: )

I find it good. Used it with DD1 and 2 no troubles. Mum used it with all us kids too. It did cause a bit of constipation at first, but that's like a few formulas...after a week she was fine.....

Also have used Karicare for a while , but can't remember what its worth these days....and the Karicare Gold, DD2 kept spewing up (hence the switch to s26).

[sharvs]

I use that NAN 1HA Gold with no probs (except for yucky green poo!) Coles & Woolies charge about $20 but most chemists sell it for $14-$15

[jkate]

I used S26 with aden, no problems at all. With Travis I started him on S26 Gold, which he got constipated on then went over to Heinz and have had no problems. Acutully his poos hardly smell :D . Heinz is one of the cheapest I get in from Big W for $11

[Milis]

I use Nan 1HA Gold as well - it was recommended to me by the CHN as being the closest to breastmilk in composition. Bubs is doing great on it although we also experience the scary green poo :eek:

[suemp]

used heinz nurture for ds. i used to get it on special at the chemist for $9 a tin (but that was 4 years ago) he started on s26 gold but was never satisfied on it



new to this thread so just wanted to say i hated bf my ds. he was born with low muscle tone, facial palsy and tongue tied(which all the midwifes denied he had anything wrong with him, it was later diagnosed by paedeatriction.)so he naturally had trouble latching on. each feed i would have 2 nurses , one on each side of me trying to latch him on, he would feed for hours, then be hungry an hour later and scream all night. the minute i put him on ff was such a relief that now im preg , due in oct, i wonder whether i even want to bother to bf. maybe i will just do it for a liitle while to get the colostrum thru?????!!!in re: to nappies i used to use the cheapest brand as huggies did not fit ds very well as he was long and skinny. i found i got out of it for approx $10 a week as i bought in bulk. def worth not having to scrub cloth/n, but that is just my oppinion

[Sarie]

I started DS1 on heinze (around $10/tin) and it didn't agree with him. After a lot of searching we put him onto the Karicare Goat formula (around $22/tin)(helped him alot with his wind, reflux and skin), then when he was about 9/10 months old we put him onto Karicare Gold($18/tin... from memory)
We put DS2 on Karicare Gold, but he ended up being just like his big brother so we went back to Karicare Goat.
Bub number 3 will go straight onto the Kariecare Goat formula.

[browniebear]

This is so refreshing to have a thread for FF Mums!:thumbsup:

First i want to give you my background;

with Owen, he was a very lazy sucker, had poor attachment and I had terribly engorged boobs, so BF was totally hopeless. To cap it off, because of his poor attachment I had really really bad cracked nipples, so feeding was hell for me. In hospital, the midwwves were great, they did everything they could to get him attaching properly but it just didn't work. Determined to BF, I persevered but on the 3rd day at home I was a mess, I was in pain, I was crying all the time and Owen was miserable because he was hungry. I sent DH to the supermarket with orders to get me a tin of formula and we never looked back. Yes, I was disappointed as I really did want to BF, and DH was a little disappointed, but the change in Owen was amazing. I did supplement him with BM so I didn't get mastitis but by 6 weeks he was exclusively FF. The only problems I had was with a fill in MCHN who I saw at 4 wks and she said 'I would like him to be fully BF' WTF!!!:mad: how dare she put that on me! by then there was no way I could go back to BF, I just didn't have the supply to do it. Plus Owen was thriving and had put on over 1kg in those first 4 wks.

Now Kathleen, when pg, I had every intention to BF again, and for the first 2weeks it worked, but by the end of the 4th week, I was feeding her up to 14 times a day and I just didn't have the milk to feed her. It was a very stressful time too, because we are farmers and it was the first year of the drought and everyone was stressed to the max, so I assume I was just under too much stress to produce milk. So she too went onto formula and went so well. Not to mention the easing of my stress levels because I wasn't always feeding her. She went from 14 BF's to 7 FF a day almost overnight.

With Nette, again I had every intention to BF, and it went so well, she fed 8 times a day and had perfect attachment. But due to a post partum haemorrage I struggled to make both milk for her and blood for me, so I never had much milk to begin with and never felt full like I did with the others. So by 4 weeks she too was FF and again thrived.

You might think it is strange that I have always tried to BF, and then went to formula, but I still wanted to give it a try and if it worked then that was great and when I have another, I will try to BF that baby too only so they get the colostrum, if nothing else.

I still think there is a huge media beat up on FF mums. But luckily, aside from that evil MCHN I have never copped any flack for it.

I do think that BF ties you down as you have to provide every feed, whereas FF gives you a break and I would gladly let DH give the kids a feed. Sure it was hard keeping water warm etc for bottles when you go out, but I used a thermos and it worked a treat. I also think that we are able to look after ourselves better too by FF because if we get sick, we can take medication etc and don't have to worry about it passing through BM.

I always used Lactogen and then went onto nan2 when they were 6 months old.

Sorry for the long post girls, I promise the next ones wont be so long:)

[SamanthaJane]

Sorry for the long post girls, I promise the next ones wont be so long:)

Dont apoligise:D Thankyou for contributing your story and WELCOME to our thread:hugs:

[pipilongstocking]

Hey there,and congratulations on this thread.I began breastfeeding Harry when he was born,but for some reason he didn't get it happening and nor did I.It may be because he was in special care for 2 days after,and straight on the bottle-i dunno.But anyway,it didn't work out for either of us and the stress of it all and the guilt i felt for wanting to put him on the bottle was huge.Also the guilt i felt about what everyone else was going to "contribute" about my descision was alot as well.Finally after many nights balling my eyes out about it ,my husband made the final decision for me in that he went to the store and bought everything I needed!
What a blessing it was! I had never felt such relief,and the support I recieved from him,the people at the pharmacy,friends and family-AND my midwife-was nothing short of fantastic.He was happy,I was happy and most importantly Harry was happy.Formula these days is fantastic-i work in a pharmacy-i know this!! and while it is not exactly like breastmilk it's a damn good substitute,and now 13 months later I still have a happy healthy baby boy who has never been sick(until last week! hee hee) or never missed out on any love, cuddles or bonding from me or his daddy.
If it doesn't work for you,don't ever feel bad about it,because in the end it comes down to being happy with yourself,bub and your descision-and what YOU feel right doing with your body,because it is YOUR body and no-one else has the right to tell you what to do with it.
Enjoy being a mummy!

[browniebear]

Right on Sister :thumbsup:

[SamanthaJane]

:D Thanks for the story pipilongstocking. By the way i still LOVE LOVE LOVE that movie!!! me and my little sister would watch it over and over again and never get sick of it.

Also- love the name Harry, its a favourite that we had picked out but my sister is using Harrison as her son's middle name so we'll have to wait and see i guess... maybe i wont even have a boy anyways lol

anyway thanks again for the story and i'm glad that u are all doing well:D :hugs:

[Cade's Mum]

Wow what a great thread.

I knew when I was pregnant wth DS that I would not BF it was just something that I felt very definate about. I knew before going into hospital that the MW would try to enforce the BF opinion upon me and I was prepared for that, however that being said I wasn't prepared for being totally overtaken by MW who just automatically assumed that BF was what I was going to do.

I has a CS and the MW plopped DS onto my breast - I had my breast squished and squashed in every position possible whilst I was still hooked up and pretty much out of it.

Over the next couple of days I became quite emotional and began to second guess myself, weepy and confused even more so as my breasts bacame cracked bloody and evenually my nipple disappeared but I was told to persist anyway !!!!! and to go to the BF classes.

DS was screeming for at least 3 days and I was a mess I knew that it was from hunger but the MW kept insisting I try BF.

In the end I snapped out of my dillusional mess and said I had had enough of this and wanted to FF - If looks could kill I would have been dead but I was told that the formula was in the kitchen and she would show me only once how to prepare a bottle - that was it, that was the total support I received. :mad:

However my local clinic nurse and my GP did not judge were very supportive and just lovely. I never once was made to feel that I had made an alternative choice at all. :yelclap:

I never had a problem bonding with my son he is 4.5 now and his extremely healthy, happy and a beautiful loving child.

If we are fortunate enough to conceive again then I will FF I know what is right for me and I will go into hospital better prepared than ever.

I'm sorry for the very long post I actually was a bit weepy typing this out I didn't realise how upset:crying: I must have been back then until now so this has been a bit of a cleansing experience for me, as usually I avoid these types of threads. Thanks for starting this thread.:hugs:

[SamanthaJane]

Thankyou for adding to the thread:hugs:

Your story is not unlike others i have heard... i've come to the realisation that many MW can be a bit nasty when it comes to FF:mad: Which i think is unfair... every mother should be treated with respect, especially so when its her first time!!!

All the best to you and your family:hugs:

[Mrs Little]

Sarie- I've just started my DS on goat formula- Karicare. But can't seem to find it cheaper than $27. Thats a lot of money on formula!!

I had great mid wives in hospital that helped me with latching on for a feed. I got Dh to find a midwife every time i went to feed while, i was in hospital, so that i would go home feeling confident.

It was just a shame that i didn't have that support at home. I called the Tresillian hotline and spoke to my pead. and the CHN. They all told me i was panicking over nothing and that what my DS was going through was normal. (He wasn't sleeping, he would feed for at least an hr at a time and he was a very unsettled baby). As a result i changed to formula thinking it would fix everything. Well it didn't. But changing to formula was the only way i could get the Dr.s to see there was a problem.

We have discovered DS has silent reflux and a possible dairy intolerance.

I felt EXTREMLY guilty... and that i was a horrible mum....i even asked DH not to tell anyone that we'd changed to bottle feeding. I'm not so particular about it now...i've realised that many of my friends are having babies and i need to display a positive attitude about bottle feeding, so that they know it's ok if thats what they end up doing. I'd also like to be a support for them if necessary.

Sorry for the rant....thanks for listening. Great thread!

Mrs Little & Son.

[Cade's Mum]

Thankyou for adding to the thread:hugs:

Your story is not unlike others i have heard... i've come to the realisation that many MW can be a bit nasty when it comes to FF:mad: Which i think is unfair... every mother should be treated with respect, especially so when its her first time!!!

All the best to you and your family:hugs:


Thankyou SamanthaJane - I agree.

[pipilongstocking]

No worries at all! It is a cool movie hey!
We loved Harry-decided on it in recovery after the ceasar!!! hee hee (i thought he was going to be a girl!!!)
6 months to go now! Hope you can enjoy it more now that you have a freer view on things!!
You know I had a similar experience when I wanted to put harry on solids at 3.5 months because his reflux was so bad.After speaking to friends and a midwife,I asked a forum and got an absolute bagging,so much so that I felt awful about it and doubted myself so much so that hubby eventually told me to snap out of it,it was our descision,our midwife and our doctor,and no-one elses opinion should make our minds up on how **** a parent we were being!
So i have learened to take it all with a grain of salt now!
enjoy the next few months!

[SamanthaJane]

I know people who have started their babies on solids at the 3 month stage (most of them had boys come to think of it) and found no problems whatsoever. But i guess its just another one of those personal choices your baby- your decision is the way i see it now:D But then again... those choices should be made with thought lol....

[pipilongstocking]

Yes,this is true!!! Bagged Mum's with no idea-unite!!! hee hee heeee

[Sarie]

Hi Mrs Little,
We used to get ours at Woolworths, but depending on where you live the epharmecy (in Brisband) has it around the $20 mark aswell.
We had problems finding the infant goat formula everyone had the follow on but not many carried the infant!
I know it's expensive. We managed to change the boys back to the gold when they got older, so that makes a difference!
I hope you find it a bit cheaper somewhere!
Sarie

[Mrs Little]

Thanks Sarie. I found it online at the OZE PHARMACY for $22. We have an oze pharmacy near us.

My DS is 7.5 months. He should be using follow on formula....but i've heard that the follow on formula is more an advertising gimick...that it's not really necessary to change to the follow on.

What does everyone think? Should i go to the follow on goat formula or not?

Mrs Little & Son.

[addysmummy]

BubbaGanoush - your story is so similar to mine...except i had oversupply problems and huge issues with my parents who we were living with that made things so much worse. i also feel like i "missed out" on the first 3.5 weeks of my little girl's life as all i remember is the trauma of feeding...but i am still in the process of ''getting over it'' and being content with having done the best we could in the situation we had...

[Sarie]

Thanks Sarie. I found it online at the OZE PHARMACY for $22. We have an oze pharmacy near us.

My DS is 7.5 months. He should be using follow on formula....but i've heard that the follow on formula is more an advertising gimick...that it's not really necessary to change to the follow on.

What does everyone think? Should i go to the follow on goat formula or not?

Mrs Little & Son.

I think it was fantastic for our boys. The follow on that I was talking about was actually the goat follow on, could get it everywhere. We just had trouble getting the infant goat!
Why not try it and see if it makes a difference for you?
Sarie

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

What a fantastic thred. I too had difficulties BF my DD and after a traumatic 4 to 5 weeks ended up introducing the bottle every second feed.
I found that lots of midwifes in hospital were so anti formula feeding that I struggled with the "demons" in my head that were telling me that formula feeding may be the way to go. I struggled with milk supply (took me 2 and a half hours to express 80mls of milk once) and also had to use nipple shield to get her to latch on.
Oddly I found the best support for switching to formula was the Pedeatrician (sp?) and my OBGYN. I could have kissed both of them for being so positive and reassuring!!

[carls]

I breastfed James for 3.5 months and then stopped suddenly and put him onto formula (no weaning at all) because he was waking too frequently at night. I used to say that I couldnt understand women that flatly chose to formula feed over breastfeeding, but I understand now that things arent so cut and dry.

It was hard for me for about a week because I felt like I had lost a bond and couldnt comfort James like I could on the boob, but I feel wonderful bottlefeeding him now and I know that I gave him a good head start with breastmilk.

I just thought I would share that!!

Go you bottlefeeding mums!! :thumbsup:

[SamanthaJane]

:yes: Hey just wanted to bump up the thread so that mums/mums 2 be remember its here :laughing:

[browniebear]

Re: Nipple Nazi midwives, luckily I have never come across any of them in hospital, but I have heard some horror stories of those who have had one cross their path. What annoys me is the whole 'breast is best' blah blah blah rant they give you, but is it best for the baby is his/her mum is a drivelling mess full of guilt that she can't BF her baby? Years ago when forumla wasn't around like it is today, these babies probably would have gotten really ill - or worse, not to mention the mental health of their mums.

[FourAngelKisses]

I breastfed my first born for 6 days. It was the worst 6 days of my life. I ended up with grazed nipples after half an hour of the first feed. He wouldn't attach properly, when he did he would come off and if he stayed on he would be there for hours on end, only to wake up again after half an hour. The minute I got home from hospital, I expressed and the total of both breasts expressed was 90mls. No wonder he was in such a ****ty mood all the time!!! I put him on the bottle the next day and he would happilly suck down 200mls each time. By 3wks he was on 300mls a time, having a total of 1.5L a day!!! I got told off for feeding him too much, but he was an 11lb baby, he needed more than "regular" babies did.

With my daughter having a cleft lip, I couldn't attach her properly. The midwives perservered with me and told me to block the hole with my finger, but it was too stressful, so I put her on the bottle after a week and we were much happier..........until the reflux kicked in a week later and she wouldn't eat and wouldn't stop screaming. But that's a whole other story.

With DS2, he attached perfectly and I was a lot more relaxed. But when he was 2 days old, he started feeding at lunchtime, and did not get off until 6 the following morning. I was exhausted, couldn't stop crying and he decided he didn't want to attach properly anymore (didn't help that my milk had come in by then). I went home the next day and started expressing for nights, but feeding him during the day. After 2wks, my left breast ended up so fricking tender that even if a piece of hair brushed against it, it would feel like someone was sticking pins in me. And my usual 12B size had grown into what I believe was a 12JJ (I had 12E bras buf the clip for the top would only go halfway up, so I had to leave them undone). I decided then and there to put him on the bottle.


I couldn't give a toss about what people said about me bottle feeding. I did the first time I did it with my 8yr old. I cried and cried, felt like a failure because it had been drilled into me that "breast was best" blah blah blah. But then I realised that it wasn't best. He was a starvin marvin, I was tired and stressed from it not working out, so bottle was best for both him and I. Breastfeeding nazis need to realise that what is best for them, isn't best for other people.

[browniebear]

Jeanette, I just don't think they realise the serious harm they are doing by guilting mums into continuing BF when it is obvious they are flogging a dead horse.

[Minke]

What a great idea!

I breast feed my DD for 11 weeks, and ended up with PND because of it! (it was a large part - i didn't enjoy having her, the lack of sleep, the sense of failure when i did start FF). It took a midwife to finally say that i'd didn't look that good (tired etc) and said that i should maybe bottlefeed, as she was feeding every hour, except at night where it stretched to a huge 2 hours, was only sleeping at night for 8 hours and wouldn't sleep all day. To say I was frazzled wsa an understatement!

With number 2, decided to give it a go again, and the same started to happen and at 1 month he is now completely bottle fed, and a happy growing boy (who sleeps like he should!) The CHN was really supportive of my decision, and said whatever works really, so will be going back to see her!

Isn't it funny the whole bottle feeding thing - the thread for april babies - i'm not game to say anything - not because they're nasty people, i just don't want to be judged.


Sorry about the long post - finally, am having massive constipation problems. Have changed him from S26 gold to NAN HA1 and he seems slightly better, but even when he was only breat fed he only pooed once a day. He's been on coloxyl for a week, have been reducing the amount for the last 3 days, but am worried it will just go back to lots of grunting and crying - any suggestions?

Thanks Kelli

[FourAngelKisses]

Apparently a bit of brown sugar in bottles helps constipation. I don't know why, but Dh and I know a couple who swear by it.

[Wivi]

This is a great thread!

I started FF when my son was 5 days old. Basically he would not attach, on his own or with a nipple shield. The nurses were very patient and encouraging with me telling me I had plenty of milk (I did - it was running out of me) but I had to express every feed and he was drinking from a bottle anyway. I was supposed to go home on Day 4 but I said I wanted to stay until I knew how to feed him on my own. He was my first bub! It was fine for me to stay longer but then they started talking about me hiring an electric breast pump saying that he might attach in a few weeks. But they couldn't say definitely and they couldn't say how long it would be. I cried to hubby and said I didn't want to be milked like a cow for 2 hours out of every 4. We agreed then and there to put bub on formula and NEVER LOOKED BACK. Funny thing was that after we made the decision to start formula the nurses started saying they thought we made the right choice - they are just not allowed to suggest it to you themselves unless you don't actually have any milk.

Bottlefeeding has been wonderful. DH could share night feeds (although these stopped at 8 weeks) and when I developed PND he was able to help soo much. My bub is very healthy and content and I have never regreted my decision.

[Missus S]

Hi Ladies,

I'm a new mum to an 18 day old DD.

I was all keen to BF but could never seem to get her to attach properly even though I initially thought I was doing it correctly. However, I ended up in pain with bleeding nipples so I stopped. I tried BF with a nipple shield but she wouldn't have a bar of it.

So at the moment I have been expressing breastmilk into a bottle (have an electric pump) and feeding her this way - supplemented by some Karicare Soy formula (DH and I are both lactose intolerant) for times I haven't any breastmilk ready for her. Luckily, when I went for my follow up appointment at the hospital the MW was quite supportive of me expressing and said anyway they get the breastmilk is fine.

I just wondered if many other Mum's have done this and how long you managed to do it for. At this stage it's OK as I haven't been busy or going out too much, but I wonder if it's going to become too time consuming eventually and if I should just get her settled straight onto formula. I'm also asking this because last night we had a bad night where she seemed to have an upset belly and I'm just suspicious if the mix of breastmilk and formula isn't so good for her??

Thanks :)

[porridge]

Hi Missus S

I started BF my son, but it became so painful and stressul I stopped and started expressing instead. He's 6 weeks old and I just stopped expressing on Saturday. It is pretty time consuming, but I thought it's worth it so I kept going. I used a manual pump, but maybe an electric pump would be easier/quicker? If you do decide to express for as long as you can, make sure you're drinking heaps of water! I really noticed a decrease in the amount I could express when I forgot to drink :o By about week 4-5 I was giving him formula as well (mostly just night feeds) and that settled him for 3-4 hours.

Good luck with what you decide to do - I stressed SO much about putting him on formula (was pretty much in constant tears in a ball on the couch) - it's just not worth putting yourself or your baby through it. Go with what you can handle :)

[clairbear]

Hey Missus S
I, like you was very gung ho about breastfeeding my second son, who is 9 weeks old. However, just like you we had attachment problems, as well as evening and night time feeds taking forever and giving him an upset windy tummy - from what i can ascertain from advice/books/common sense this was because I was more stressed and tired come evening time every day (dealing with a tantrum chucking almost three year old all day), my supply was weaker and he was also only getting the foremilk which is supposedly watery and sugary and causes wind.
When he was two weeks I hired an electric pump and did expressed milk at night. This was time consuming but I managed to stay on top of it for a coupla weeks till my dh went back to work, then on advice from the ec nurse at the clinic I breastfed at daytime, formula fed at night.
Did this for another two weeks, the breastfeeding wasn't getting any easier...all these people said persist with it, it'll get easier...but it was taking forever for him to have a decent feed (maybe I caused this by not b feeding over the 24 hour period, I don't know).
Despite feeling still quite guilty, I am totally formula feeding bub now, he is healthy, happy and gaining weight (nearly 7 kg), and I can go to bed early at night so my dh gives him the late bottle..then I have energy for both my little boys during the day.
Maybe I'd be expressing for longer of i didn't have another child to care for. Is this your first Missus S?
I totally relate to what you've gone thru Emi:)
I have friends who breastfeed but never make me feel pressured, but I have come across breastfeeding nazi's who make me feel extremely uncomfortable.
I know it's hard Missus S, but do what is right for all of you as a family and try not to feel guilty if it doesn't work out. Good luck sweetie:thumbsup:

[Missus S]

Thank you so much Emi and clairbear for your replies and your support. Yes, Gemma is my first bub.

Breastfeeding is really tricky and I don't actually feel guilty about what I am doing now as I know that I tried. I just feel that you have to get the attachment correct from the word go which I obviously didn't and then she started to prefer the bottle teat to my nipple, so there was no going back. I'll certainly try again when I have bub number 2, but once again if it doesn't work out - I'll have no guilt in other options.

I'm glad to hear about your successes :)

[Sholmes]

I can't tell you all how relieved I am about this new thread. I wish I had discovered it sooner. Like yesterday when I spent most of the day in tears thinking what a failure I am already as a new mum.

The story is this - I had a wonderful pregnancy and short uncomplicated labour (3 hours from admission to hospital, though I laboured at home for about 6 hours) giving birth to a very healthy, well nourished baby girl weighing 3.7kg.

I was discharged from the hospital on day 3 at my own request as I didn't need to be in hospital though my milk was still yet to come in. I was advised by one of the nurses about comp feeds and given a 24 hour supply to take home. No advice was provided on when to stop giving Sahra formula. My milk came in the next day, though not enough to satisfy. The early childhood clinic nurse advised cutting the comp feeds straight away and only BF. This was terrible advice because I had my baby crying for more when she couldn't get enough from me. So I phoned Karitane's helpline and spoke to a lovely lady who advised on how to get the supply up and to gradually reduce the comp feeds. Having already suffered very sore, grazed, cracked nipples and alot of pain when feeding in hospital it came as no surprise when it happened again when I was trying to build up the supply and reduce the comp feeds following the advice from the helpline.

I put so much pressure on myself to breastfeed that I have spent many days crying, feeling useless and hopeless, continually thinking of the well worn mantra 'breast is best' and feeling a complete failure after only 18 days. My husband has been a rock in all this and says that the decision is all mine.

What I have noticed the last few days is how content my baby is after a bottle, how easy it is to settle her to sleep and how easy it is to feed her when there's no crying from either of us to begin with. My husband can also feed her and I don't feel physically and mentally drained at the end of each feed with sore boobs.

My nipples are still healing and I am still deciding whether to BF or FF or combine the two. It's almost no contest, but I will see what happens. I've been expressing and can only get enough for one feed out of two sessions of expressing.

The next thing I dread is meeting the new mums next week at the local mothers group and seeing how many of them are breastfeeding and whether there are certain attitudes present about FF.

[bronny-jane]

hey sharyn, dont worry about what other mums are doing or what they think, you'll only get yourself worked up, to be honest when i see a ff mum, im glad i can have a conversation with her without having a breast whipped out in front of me:D

[browniebear]

Hi Sharyn - You story is identical to what happened with my first baby. I can understand your dilemma about the Mums group, but if they have the audacity to judge you for having a happy and healthy FF baby - then poo to them! They would be the same nasty pieces of work who would judge you for having a constantly crying, hungry baby who isn't gaining weight.

You know you are doing the right thing as you have seen the change in your baby from being crying and hungry to happy and contented. Just be firm and if you get any judgment, just tell them Happy baby = Happy Mum! And remember that absolutely no-one has the right to question how you feed your baby.

Missus S - It wont harm Gemma to give her both BM and FF. If you are happy to do both so she gets some BM (and so you wont have problems if you wean by cold turkey). Her bieng upset could have been totally unrelated to the FF. You could have eaten something that was passed through in the BM and that could be the reason or she was just having a bad night (which they do).

Kelli - I don't think they will judge you - because you have done the very best you could. Despite varying opinions on the topic, it is never an easy decsion to make to put our babies on formula and there is always an element of guilt involved (even if we know our babies would starve otherwise). I think that successful BF mums just don't understand what a tough choice it is to make.

[Milis]

Hi Sharyn - my story is a lot like yours also, except I also have inverted nipples which made it impossible for bubs to latch on without a nipple shield. Invariably he refused to come off the sheild and my supply went down as a result. Throw in a bad case of mastitis eventually leading to an infected abscess and regular trips to hospital to get it drained and that was the end of bf for me.

I am the only one in my mothers group to not be breastfeeding (out of 15 mums!). So far I have not had one negative comment, they have all been really supportive and I'm sure your mums group will be too. If not, rememver that you know your reasons for not bfing and as they are sound to you then it doesn't matter what anyone else says :hugs:

[angcaltam]

Hi all,

I FF DS1 from 2 weeks old because I had enough milk for twins and he was drowning in it, which was stressing him out and me out so I was told by the midwife to go to the bottle.

Then with DS2 I started to FF him at about 6 weeks because of the same problem apart from I had double the amount of milk, so enough for 4 babies.:eek:

Now with DD I wanted to breast feed her as long as I could and it was going great until she decided to cut a tooth :eek: , she is only 4 weeks old, but what can you do. I do feel guilty for not being able to keep going with breastfeeding but I know that I have to change her to FF. And there is nothing wrong with my DS's. We started giving her the bottle last night, I thought we would just start with 1 bottle a day for the first 2 days and then go to 2 a day for a few days and then maybe fully on the bottle after that. What does everyone think? We have put her onto Heinz.


And thank you for starting this thread.

[SamanthaJane]

Hi i just wanted to say that i love the way this thread has turned out. Thankyou girls for being so kind to each other and helping each other out:hugs:

and remember- Mum Knows Best!:hugs:

hehe im not even a mummy yet but im already addicted to that saying.

[browniebear]

I think that sounds like a good plan Katherine. It's not like you haven't done this before, so I'm sure you know how to avoid Mastitis. I always went with Lactogen for my three and then Nan2 at 6 months. Lactogen was the cheapest formula too. If her only problem is cutting a tooth, would you express and then give it in a bottle? (feel free not to answer that if you want).

Samantha - It is a great thread. You know, I only just realised how old you were. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with that, but I think you will make a great Mum - you are showing a lot of maturity. Gee, at that age i had a new baby brother born and that really turned me off having them (well, for about 6 years anyway :o )

[SamanthaJane]

Thanks:hugs:

Yeah guess i matured early... it can have downsides at times but i'd rather be smart with my decisions and actions any day than act like a complete stupid tart the way a lot of people my age do :o (sorry that was a bit harsh... i was thinking about a few ex friends of mine who just dont know when to stop themselves:( )

[porridge]

Can anyone help me... I'm FF my DS, but my boobs are still filling! (I'm a great cow, shame about the cracked and split beyond repair nipples!)
Anyway... how do I get my milk to stop producing? prefer not using tablets...

thanks!

[FourAngelKisses]

I've heard that stuffing your bra with cabbage leaves helps with the engorgement. I stopped cold turkey with all 3 kids, the pain went away after about 3-4 days. Panadol helped a little with the pain. Hope they stop filling soon.

[SamanthaJane]

Can anyone help me... I'm FF my DS, but my boobs are still filling! (I'm a great cow, shame about the cracked and split beyond repair nipples!)
Anyway... how do I get my milk to stop producing? prefer not using tablets...

thanks!

The only thing i have heard of is tablets to stop it. Your doc should be able to give u some more ideas:D

[browniebear]

Emi, my mum always swore by drinking a lot of coffee (for the caffeine) and also try to cut down the amount of extra water and everything you are drinking. Also, if you can feel lumps starting to form, try to massage them without expressing any milk (easier said than done sometimes), because the production cycle will start again IYKWIM?

[angcaltam]

browniebear, I would express but the pain isn't just when she is feeding, the pain is there all the time so that's why I haven't expressed. But when she is having a few bottles a day then the pain might ease and then I should be able to express some hopefully.:fingerscrossed:

Just wanted to ask if it is normal for them not to drink full bottles to start with, her first bottle she left about 80 and last nights bottle she left about 60.

Well, that is all from me for now.

[Mrs Little]

I was told and also read somewhere on the internet, that when u stop BF, you can express to just ease the FULL pain...NOT to empty the breast.

I did this with my DS when i stopped BF at 2 months. He was having 8 feeds a day, so i would go and get the pump after i fed him ( or before) and just pump to take the full pain away. Only for a few minutes. It's like teaching the milk glands that the demand is no longer required....they eventually get the point and stop producing the milk!

Then after a few days i would not pump for one feed. I'd miss that feed for about a week and then start dropping the next feed. It took a few weeks altogether, but was much more comfortable than cold turkey.

I had engorged breasts when my milk came in....horrible!:thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

When weaning my DS i used to go to bed with cold packs on my boobs to encourage them not to make milk.

I hope that all make sense.

Mrs Little & Son.

[Missus S]

Emi - the MW at my hospital advised me that anytime I wanted to stop expressing and go purely onto FF, to turn my back on the shower as the hot water encourages supply and to try not to play with my boobs too much (not that I do that anyway ;) ). I think she also mentioned about cutting down drinking fluids.

Good luck.

[browniebear]

Katherine, how much are you putting in the bottle? Sometimes they just need to work up to it. She should be having about 120ml - 150ml, but every baby is different. Remember though, you have gone from having a big boy who probably had a lot of milk to a little girl and sometimes their appetites are just not as big. I found that when I had Kathleen that she had nowhere near as much as what Owen would (he was having 8x 200ml feeds per day at 6 weeks old) and Nette was somewhere in between them.

[porridge]

Thanks for the advice guys :thumbsup: I had an evening with cabbage leaves stuffed in my bra and it helped!! DH didn't get a look in though... mmm, the lovely smell of cabbage :laughing:

boobs are feeling heaps better... I feel a little sad though as my milk is drying up... did anyone else feel like that?

[FourAngelKisses]

I'm glad to hear it worked.....I'm now wishing I had tried it myself, lol.

[cassi*girl]

WOW I am SO glad I found this website today. I got on here at 4.00 and am still here......lol....I did cook tea & do other stuff though too :)

I too have had a bad bf experience with DS (3 in July) and I am pregnant with baby 2 (due end sept), my question is to you all.................
I don't want to bf at all. Does this make me selfish for not even trying, even though this baby might attach well, drink well etc... For me it was so much about how it made ME feel and this memory is still vivid in my mind.

I have been told that I should try & bf for 3 days to give bubs the best start. That sounds like FOREVER to me!
Also when I don't bf from the start how do I stop the milk coming in? Can it be stopped (please say yes, that was horrendous) and if not, what can I do/take to make it go away??

Thanks for such a great topic and open forum.
Thanks also for any advice that you can share with me.

Sandi :)

[angcaltam]

browniebear, Her bottles make up 170. Last night we made sure she was really hungry and she only left about 20. I thought that maybe it might have something to do with BF as well as FF, I'm hoping that in about 1 weeks time she will just be FF.

[SamanthaJane]

I too have had a bad bf experience with DS (3 in July) and I am pregnant with baby 2 (due end sept), my question is to you all.................
I don't want to bf at all. Does this make me selfish for not even trying, even though this baby might attach well, drink well etc... For me it was so much about how it made ME feel and this memory is still vivid in my mind.

I have been told that I should try & bf for 3 days to give bubs the best start. That sounds like FOREVER to me!
Also when I don't bf from the start how do I stop the milk coming in? Can it be stopped (please say yes, that was horrendous) and if not, what can I do/take to make it go away??

Thanks for such a great topic and open forum.
Thanks also for any advice that you can share with me.

Sandi

:wave: Hello and welcome!!
I started a thread on whether bottle feeding from the start was selfish and BOY did i get a response!!!!!! I have learnt from that thread that everyone has different opinions. Some people are so obssessed with the fact that what they say is right, and that nobody else's feelings or beliefs matter. All you need to focus on right now is what you think is right. Not what other people think.

You are always going to hear people say "breast is best" and yeah fair enough thats been proven. But also remember formula is not bad for your baby. If you know in your heart what your doing is the right thing then dont worry, because mum knows best!!:hugs: I'd rather have be a mother with my baby both happy and healthy on formula feeding then a mum and baby who are both crying and depressed because they are unhappy with breast feeding, cant attach, etc etc!!!

I do not feel comfortable with breastfeeding at all, i never have and i probabaly never will. My doctor knows this and he is supportive. So i will be formula feeding from day one. There is a tablet you can take to stop the milk from coming you just need to ask your doctor:D

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy- I'm due in October!!:smiliedance:

[FourAngelKisses]

If I ever have a 4th one, I am definately going to bottlefeed. The amount and frequency that my boys drank when they were babies, I never would have had time to do anything as I would have been sitting down feeding them all the time. Plus the pain just isn't worth it for me. I will be buying a can of forumla a fortnight while pregnant I think.


Now where's my hubby...need to talk him into having a baby.:p

[SJE]

Sometimes the breastfeeding decision is made without the mothers input

My bubs just screamed at it. She has never been a vigourous feeder. I have felt alot of guilt with all of those breast is best messages out there.

I took medication to increase the supply and expressed for six weeks for her until my supply ran out. Appart from getting a wet nurse to feed her what could i do - get the cats to lactate???:D

Perhaps if there is a number two i may do some things different in those early days e.g. refuse visitors, breastfeed on delivery, be more confident.
Though i have to admit it's amazing that some can feed on delivery considering the whole labour drugs and 1st time issues.

On formula she is following her growth chart. She has not yet been sick.

Some mums for whatever reason can't do it - mental, emotional, physical
No one would intentionally harm their baby - everyone wants to do what's best.

[cassi*girl]

Thank you all for your kind and supportive words. I actually had a Dr's appt today and spoke at length to the mid wife (I am doing a shared care thing!) and told her I am 99% sure I don't wish to breastfeed and she was fine with that.
Her thoughts were, of course, breast is best, but not at the cost of mother & baby bonding or enjoying time etc... I was SO happy. She is lovely and very supportive which makes me really happy.
I did ask about the tablets but she said they have side affects and they try not to use them. She advised that for 24 - 48 hours when my milk comes in I will be uncomfortable, but to use cabbage leaves, frozen packs and allow a bit of let down in the shower (not express it, just massage breasts sort of thing).

So that makes me far more relaxed.

So yep, another thing to add to the shopping list - bottles, formula, steraliser etc....yeah, excited now, not daunted by the thought of breastfeeding.

Sandi :)

[browniebear]

Hi Sandi - I think past experiences go a long way in determining the future choices we make. People who have a horrible birth experience will vow not to have the same experience again, so I think the same should be said about feeding the baby. The decision is entirely up to you and people should support you on it even if it is not the choice they would make. So no, I do not think you are being selfish. About the milk coming in - if you FF from the start, there is no stimulation to start the milk production IYKWIM? so you should have very minimal milk come in anyway.

Katherine - That's heaps what she is having without drinking the full bottle. Although it does waste the milk a little, just keep making it up to 170ml and as she starts to have more, it is already in her bottle and she can just drink till she's full.

Breeannasmum - Owen wasn't quite like that, but he would look at it and play with it and generally had no idea how to attach to it properly. I did feed all mine at birth though. My kids rarely get sick too. I know of heaps of BF babies who were constantly sick with colds and tummy bugs.

[Bubble*Crazy]

Great thread - just what I was looking for!!!

Sorry, I'm probably going to ramble a bit ...

Ethan is now 9 days old and I switched him to FF last Thursday (5 days old) as I started to feed him and my sore, cracked nipples decided to bleed and give him a mouthful of blood :eek:. I decided then & there I wasn't going to put up with this all again (put up with it for 9 weeks with DD). I was in agony and became distressed & tried putting off feeding in anticipation of the pain - I'd give birth anyday rather than put up with the pain of feeding.

I had to race down to the shop and buy a tin and some teats before the CHN came for her 1st home visit an hour later! Got home, fed him and he was settled instantly. The CHN arrived and went thru all the normal q's and I felt I had to 'justify' myself before she could judge me on why I switched to FF from BF. I have to say she was 'fantastic' :yes: and didn't judge me in anyway - in fact, she told me that I don't have to justify myself to anyone as the main thing is that I do what I feel is right for us. Was so relieved as I'd heard so many horror stories from MW & CHN's that try to force the issue.


What I have noticed the last few days is how content my baby is after a bottle, how easy it is to settle her to sleep and how easy it is to feed her when there's no crying from either of us to begin with.

Ethan has been a 'perfect' baby pretty much from day 1 - hardly cries, sleeps & settles fairly easily or just lays back watching things go on around him. However, Like Sharyn, I'm convinced the FF are now satisfying him so much more - during the night I feed, burp, put him down & he's asleep within 2 minutes. No crying, no grizzling etc.

BTW - CHN also mentioned that if you feel uncomfortable as the milk supply diminishes, you can massage/rub your breasts to express a small amount of milk to make them comfortable, but I'm assuming this may perhaps make the milk linger a little longer? I've still got milk now, but supply is slowly reducing. May try the cabbage leaves & ice pack suggestions though.

Oh, and nice to see you again Missus S, from the May thread :wave:

Good luck, everyone
Tam :)

[Missus S]

Thanks Tam, nice to see you too :wave: Gorgeous photo in your avatar! I also had the 'mouthful of blood' episode - it was so upsetting & that's when I stopped BF'ing.

Well my DD is now 3.5 weeks old and I have just made the decision to stop expressing altogether. I was giving her as much breastmilk as I could (via bottles) with formula for the times I didn't have enough. She had quite a few ratty nights last week where we couldn't work out what was wrong with her.

On Saturday I went out shopping for a couple of hours while DH stayed at home with her. He phoned me up saying she was starving hungry after he'd just feed her 80mls of breastmilk 2 hours earlier. I decided that my breastmilk didn't seem to be satisfying her so I said we'll try her on formula only for the next 24 hours - well, what a difference!! Both Saturday night and last night were awesome - like Tam and Sholmes said, I could feed my bub during the night, burp her and put her straight down - she is much more satisfied and I don't have to get upset watching her all upset :)

[Bubble*Crazy]

On Saturday I went out shopping for a couple of hours while DH stayed at home with her. He phoned me up saying she was starving hungry after he'd just feed her 80mls of breastmilk 2 hours earlier. I decided that my breastmilk didn't seem to be satisfying her so I said we'll try her on formula only for the next 24 hours - well, what a difference!! Both Saturday night and last night were awesome - like Tam and Sholmes said, I could feed my bub during the night, burp her and put her straight down - she is much more satisfied and I don't have to get upset watching her all upset :)

I think letting DP/DH help out is great too for everyone involved .... my DP finally decided he would 'give it a go tonight' and feed Ethan. For some reason he's not wanted to, but it's great to see him so involved now, like he was with Tayla and it's great for me to have a break also!

[SamanthaJane]

Hey... just bumping up the thread again;)

Ooh i am a thread bumper offender bronny:eek: hehehehe

[angcaltam]

Well, Tamara is fully on formula now. She is drinking nearly all her bottles, usually she will leave a little in a couple of them but apart from that drinking it all. She had her last bottle at 8:20 last night so I thought I would wait up and give her a top up, so at 1 am I gave her a nappy change and she took another 75 then slept until 7:15 am. She is such a good little girl.
But her tooth that had cut one peck has gone back up ! ! ! I didn't think they did this, but she is staying on formula as she is still teething and we are both a lot happier. Plus Daddy can help out with the feeds. I've got to leave her the last 2 nights for a few hours with her Aunty Shandi and it has been great. I know when she will need her feeds, but when she was on the breast it was just guess work, she kept changing. It's also going to be good because I start up indoor soccer again next Tuesday, so I get to leave her with Aunty Shandi.
FF is best in a lot of ways !!!
Anyway, I'll shut up now.
:ecomcity: :ecomcity: :ecomcity: :ecomcity:

[SamanthaJane]

Katherine.... i'm glad u are finding ff a positive experience!!!:hugs: :yelclap:

[pookiesossige]

Hi Guys! (especially to you May Thread girls!)

Tam- Thanks heaps for the pm! This thread is fantastic and is just what I needed :thumbsup:

I'm doing the gradual weaning thing- have a history of mastitis from when I bf DS and so won't stop cold turkey... Same issues with bf now that I had then such as torn nipples I have replaced one bf with a ff to start with but while she starts off ok, I can't get her to go back to the bottle after a burp about halfway through. She is soon hungry and I have to grit my teeth and give her a top up breast feed (:eek: ouchouchouch!!!). I'm using the Avent bottles. Is it just me or are those teats pretty hard?

Tam and Missus S- That's great how settled your little ones are now and it makes it so much easier to enjoy the early days with a newborn when that happens :smiliedance:
Maybe when my girl is fully ff she will go to sleep afterwards too! I don't know. She just shrieks after a feed, arching her back and bringing up her legs ect. :crying: I am trying infacol to see if it helps but no relief as yet. Have raised the head of her bassinette and spend a good 20 mins burping after each side or after the bottle. At least we know now that all this will probably stop around the 12 week-mark and doesn't go on forever! We are going craaazy!

Emma

[PhAnToM]

Hi everyone.
I am a bfing mum, however with DD (now 3.5 yo) i had the same guilt. I actually tried expressing for 5.5 months because i had to add thickener for her reflux, then my supply went down so i was supplementing her with formula. Well to be honest, the supply was struggling so much, pretty soon i was supplementing formula with bm.
I had the same guilt and probing questions.
Here's my theory, take it as you will.
A FF baby, is happier than a baby who feels stress while their mother is desperately trying to bf, when for one reason or another, they just can't.
With DS now, he has taken bf like a pro, but then I also gave birth this time with less pressure on myself about bf.
When the hospital asked me what I intended to do about bf (while booking in), i made a point of saying that I intended to try to bf, however I did not want, under ANY circumstances to be forced into bfing. They were fantastic. When DS was born they left it up to me, but i was more relaxed and thought I would do it as long as i can, But if i started to become distressed, FF it would be.
The first hospital i went to (for DD) was a nightmare. I actually had a nurse clawing at me to bf even though i was bleeding. I actually had the baby blues because of it and my Dr discharged me early (i had a cesar) because I knew i had less pressure and more support at home.

Do whatever you and your baby are comfortable with. THAT is what will ensure your little one will thrive. I don't think forced BF will benefit either of you more than a settle formula feed.
:thumbsup:

[PhAnToM]

Me again..
Emma DS used to do that too. I tried everything you tried.
Infacol did some good, but the thing that solved it in a heartbeat was a little more homestyle... :laughing:

I would take a little olive oil, just warm it a tiny bit (so it's warm to the touch... please ensure it's not hot...) and open up the belly, and rub it up and down the side of the groin area and across the lower belly, warming up the oil with your massaging motion. Quickly close the nappy over it tight and cover the baby to keep the warmth.
He let out the wind from the other end (sorry.. i know.. TMI) and settled instantly.
It saved my sanity.:thumbsup:

I hope this works for you too.
Good luck!

[pookiesossige]

Thanks heaps Lut- I'll do that from now on and see how we go! I'd heard about the benefits of massage but forgot all about it as soon as I had both my kids!
And well done for managing 5.5 months of expressing milk for your daughter! That is an amazing effort :)

Emma

[Minke]

I used the avent bottles and my DS didn't go well with them - seemed to get heaps of wind, so we changed the teats to pigeon... Was expensive but worth it (they do fit the bottles - just don't touch the top of the lid...)

Ds is really bad for stopping feeding half way through, but will finish it off within an hour (male - has to have rest breaks...:laughing: )

[PhAnToM]

Thanks Emma... but expressing for that long nearly did my head in. :banghead:

I know what you mean about forgetting things once you need them.
I had heard about the warm massage with the warm olive oil before, but obviously just put it down to old wives' tale. One night he was really bad and a friend was over. She pulled the bottle of olive oil out of my pantry and did it. We couldn't believe how effective it was.
DH had a huge laugh when he first saw the olive oil (-are you making a salad indeed! :no: ). But it was such a quick response to it, that when DS did the back arching and screaming and kicking his legs, DH would run and fetch the bottle of olive oil. :laughing:

[SamanthaJane]

Just bumping up the thread...... again.......I really am a serial offender:o :eek: :p

[nemosmum]

Sorry havent read any posts (as my little man has been off the breast and bottle for almost a year now):o

But thought id post a link to this cool bottle I saw recently

http://www.justforbubs.com.au/breastbottle-nurser.php

Your thoughts?

[SamanthaJane]

Thats a great invention, particularly for those who combine breast + bottle.

Ive never heard or seen of them before... is it only new??

I find the look of it kinda creepy tho... ahh im so immature sometimes:laughing:

[nemosmum]

Yeah it is life like..............kind of resembles Krystal off BB06 :laughing:

But thats the point lol its supposed to be like the real deal:D

:detective: I heard a bubhubber had seen them over in Ireland last year so Im assuming they are new to the Oz market.

[SamanthaJane]

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

Silly Krystal! Bet thats where she got the idea from:p

[emilysmumma]

My DD is BF but whatever makes the bubba and the mumma happy and healthy is what counts.

[Leeny]

[QUOTE=nemosmum]Yeah it is life like..............kind of resembles Krystal off BB06 :laughing:

But thats the point lol its supposed to be like the real dealQUOTE]


LOL!...mine are real, and i could only WISH that they looked like krystals :eek:

Extremely off topic, but does anyone on bubhub have implants?...Does your milk still come in?...Good lord wouldnt women with D implants be ginormous....I mean this with no offence, i just have very small bewbies.

Back onto the topic at hand...I bottle fed DD...i loved it, and i wouldnt change it for the world (minus having to clean so many bottles and get a sore arm from shaking formula:eek: ), but no one knows your baby as well as you...mums should just do what feels right :)

[FourAngelKisses]

Wow, what a cow for telling you off like that? What gives her the right to tell a total stranger what to do?? So what if solids is recommended after 6mths?? The baby still needs formula or breast milk as well. Stupid woman!!!

Your son is totally gorgeous BTW, you are doing a great job, don't let other people tell you otherwise.

[SamanthaJane]

For those that formula fed from day 1 in the hospital- what happened with the nurses? Did they bring the baby to you, for a breast feed, then u said no im going to formula feed? Or do u tell them before hand... And also, do they still bring the baby to you with a bottle, or do they feed the baby themselves? Im just confused about how things work when ur in hospital. :confused:

[Seekrit]

Samantha - I'm breasfeeding however in my hospital's birth preferences it does ask if I plan on breast feeding or bottle feeding after birth. Maybe there's a policy in place at your hospital.

Also, I don't know any hopsitals these days where the babies are not kept beside the mum's bed. So don't worry about them bringing the bub to you, she'll be there, having a cry, waiting for a feed.

I believe, however, that you'll have to bring in your own formula and bottles to the hospital.

[OscarTheGrouch]

The hospital I was in supplied the formula and bottles.

[Seekrit]

We were told they have emergency satchels on hand in case you can't breast feed or all your plans go sour, however if it was our plan, we're to bring it ourselves.

Mind you, we also have to pack a 5 day supply for the bubs, including nappies, clothes, bed sheets, bunny rugs and baby bath solution. :rolleyes:

[OscarTheGrouch]

Mind you, we also have to pack a 5 day supply for the bubs, including nappies, clothes, bed sheets, bunny rugs and baby bath solution. :rolleyes:
That's terrible. The hospital I was in supplied absolutely everything. Disposable nappies, wipes, baby bath solutions..... everything....

[FourAngelKisses]

Mine supplied everything too, all we had to supply was the baby, LOL.


BTW, don't be afraid to ask if you can put the baby up in the nursery at night so you can sleep. They will bring the baby down when they need feeding. While your sleeping, your baby is in the nursery getting spoilt rotten by the staff, LOL.

[SamanthaJane]

Just bumping up the thread.

This is/was simply a thread intended for all bottle feeding mothers, those who plan to bottle feed, those who had no choice whether to bottle feed/not bottle feed or anyone that wants to have a read of our experiences etc etc...

Theres a heap of "rules" lol in my first post also :)

Just a nice thread to share experiences, simple as that! :thumbsup:

[Karizma]

I am a proud bottle feeder. Also I am 100% sure babies are kept beside you in the hospital now at all times :D

[subaruforestermum]

When my son was born, I breast fed him up until 6 weeks when he was admitted to hospital with rapid weight loss. They checked my supply, and his feeding, and nothing was found to be wrong with what I was doing, he just wasnt progressing, so we then started to incorporate breast feeds and formula feeds, until he rejected the breast and stayed on formula.

I agree that they are not worse off if formula fed, as my son has hardly been sick, and is a heafty 11kg (22lb) at 12 months of age.... He is a healthy happy little boy.

I too think that it is up to how each mother feels when the time comes. Some feel comfortable, able to breast feed others dont, or other factors way into the decision. Mothers are still mothers no matter how they feed their children. And as long as they get fed, isn't that the main thing........

[FourAngelKisses]

Also I am 100% sure babies are kept beside you in the hospital now at all times :D

They are, but if you want them in the nursery so you can get a good sleep, they will take them up there and bring them down for a feed when they get hungry.

[Karizma]

. Mothers are still mothers no matter how they feed their children. And as long as they get fed, isn't that the main thing........

Yes I agree with this. I think it is the mothers choice too... I dont justifying the reasons why I bottle feed or explaining the reasons why or do to someone who doesnt agree with me because I personally believe what I believe and other may not believe the same. Each to thier own:D

[Leez]

You know what I love about bottlefeeding? I love watching DH and DD staring at each other when he feeds her. I can just see how much pleasure they get from each other and it makes me so happy. No, it wasn't my first choice, but I have to say, seeing that makes up for an awful lot.:thumbsup:

Lisa

[reAllytee]

They are, but if you want them in the nursery so you can get a good sleep, they will take them up there and bring them down for a feed when they get hungry.

Sorry to hijack will say this then be done !

Not many hospys do this anymore im afraid !
They believe in keeping bubs with mum at all times which can be rather frustrating as i hated leaving Boof to even go to the loo i was scared someone would hurt him or even take him & thats why i also didnt shower until DP arrived of a morning to watch him as i refused to take him into the bathroom ( yuck ! ). I too thought they would take them but as the woman next to me found out for all of us when she tried to have her shower they wouldnt allow her to leave the baby with them not even to shower !!!! Luckily because i kept bleeding through everything of a nite i had a great middie who loved Boof so would take him while i showered each time but other than that, nothing.
They wouldnt even give me a break the first nite after i had been in labour since the Friday & it was Monday afternoon when Boof was born even though my mum begged & pleaded. Lucky for me Boof slept through due to all the trauma as i couldnt have even held him with all that happened to me. So was it a wonder i wanted to go home after 2 days :rolleyes: Least i then had a comfy bed & a partner to help me out a little.

[pegasus]

Just a quick hijack on the baby in room subject - couple of different experiences - so best to check with your hospital.

My sister had the same problem as ally- after her second bub she had a night where she felt she really needed a break and sleep so wanted to have the option of having her bub in the nursery. They didn't do it for her and she felt really downtrodden for trying to get it. I think she may have even put in a complaint to the hospital. She was a mother saying she needed some support.

With my second bub they took my bub to the nursery for the first night (I had a c/section and wasn't able to get out of bed) then brought her to me when she needed a feed). I actually was relieved for this as I knew the sleepless nights ahead. I'm pretty sure they would have done the same on other nights if requested. With my first bub it wasn't an issue as my hubby stayed on the first night so he was able to help. For second bub, hubby was at home with our son so I had been worried about how I was expected to attend to bubba if need be without him there if I needed support

Just letting you know about two different experiences in two different hospitals in the same state. My sister is still a bit bitter about that and told me I was lucky they gave me the option.

[FourAngelKisses]

Maybe it depends on how busy the hospital is?? I did it with all 3 of mine, the latest being 2yrs ago. They only have about 6-7 babies in there at a time though, so maybe the bigger hospitals wont do it.


Back on topic.....I plan on bottle feeding this baby, wont have time to sit around for 2hrs at a time breastfeeding.

[jessgray]

my ds1 spent more time in the nursery then with me :( coz he was sick and coudltn suck on a bottle. he ended up comign down with an infection 2nd night(he was born monday night by tuesday night he had a high temp) and he was taken to special care nursery (SCN) the next morning. i didnt actually have ds1 in a room overnigth with me till ds1 was ready to come home at 10 days old i spent 2 nights in the scn rooming in room with him :)

i must admit i was a bit envious of the woman who shared a room with me coz her bub was with her the whole time and didnt have any problems with feeding.
ds1 is a bottlefeed bub:) i am going to see how i go with BF'ing ds2 but i know its not always possible so i think i will investigate possible formulas just incase i need it :)

[Percy]

DH just woke up one morning and decided he wasnt going to breastfeed anymore.

I dont mind bottle feeding him at all, as someone else pointed out earlier, its lovely to see DH and DS sharing that time together. I think DH feels alot more included now. Plus, i can sleep through the night if i need to!

[jessgray]

my DP loves making bottles up for ds. now dp feels sorta useless coz ds will hold the bottle himself and when he is done he throws it at dp lol

[FourAngelKisses]

LOL, DS1 learnt to hold his own bottle at 6wks. It was still wintery weather when he was born so I'd give it to him in his cot and jump back in bed. 2mins later when he was done guzzling it down, you would hear his bottle hit the wall as he threw it out of the cot.

[Holly_Golightly]

I certainly think Mothers who choose/need to bottle feed need to have as much support as mother's who breastfeed. I found out from a very honest midwife that generally they are never to recommend bottle feeding as an alternative.

After having bubs and breastfeeding for the first time I just let DD keep going. The midwife treated me like an idiot. "Can't you tell your empty?" Um no because I didn't feel full to begin with. I am a small A cup and even when pregnant I barely filled out an A cup.

I had lots of different techniques, prodding, advice by each different midwife and went home on early discharge.

I ended up sleeping with DD attached as she was constantly awake crying for a feed. I slept sitting up, swapping DD from side to side. She barely slept. All the visiting midwives said everything was fine my milk would come through more as I kept going. I tried expressing on their advice and over a 24 hour period could get no more then 10 mls? I also had bleeding nipples and cried everytime my DD fed as it was so painful. The mw said 'O don't worry the baby will just vomit up the blood'. Sorry I found that a little bit distressing :thumbsdown:

Finally on my last visit by a midwife. She said your DD is rapidly losing weight, she is dehydrated, she needs a bottle. She also enlightened me to the restricted bottlefeeding support.

It makes me angry that although they were aware my milk hadn't come through and my baby was starving they wouldn't tell me for the fear I would bottle feed. My DD thrived on the bottle and after her first feed she slept for 5 hours. I felt like a failure but was so happy that she was finally content.

Around the same time, the media was reporting a woman whose baby died because the hospital was comp feeding and did not tell the woman so she relied on breastfeeding even though she had an inadequate supply when she returned home.

Breast is best but not for everybody. Yes I know the stories of women who struggled for months and then breastfed successfully. Wonderful for them but we can't justassume it will work for everyone. A friend of the family is a Nurse and chose to bottlefeed. She had midwives come to visit her at her home to coerce her into breastfeeding. She called them the Breastfeeding Nazis. No one likes someone (particularly uninvited people) telling them that their parenting is inadequate.

I applaud mums who BF and I will try again with this bub but this time I know the realities and limitations of my body.

[blessedmummy]

amen to that!! i had alot of trouble with my youngest daughter who always used to feed all the time and always screamed and wasnt sleeping very well at night or day time, and after i got fed up with myself and tried so hard to breast feed her, it just didnt work out, so for sanity of me and my youngest daughter i put her on formula and wow did that make a difference! she started to sleep well day and night and wasnt screaming all the time! yay!! it was the best thing i ever did! glad i did it! if we end up having number three... then if need be.. then definately bottle!!


me25
DH25:wave:
Emily3:smiliedance:
Clare22months:smiliedance:

[FourAngelKisses]

I had my 3rd baby throw up blood, it has got to be one of the worst things I have ever witnessed. Myself, the bed, the pillow I was using to feed him with and him were just covered in blood, I thought he had internal bleeding somewhere. :crying: :crying:

[MumofMadd]

This is a great thread my DS is now 2 1/2 and i bottle fed him from around a couple of months i was unable to produce enough milk for him. He was puttin on 100g a day for the first 2 weeks then the weight increase dropped and the health nurse thought i wasn't feeding him enough asked me to keep a dairy of when and hw long i fed him made me feel like i was a bad mum and that i had no clue what i was doing. I started givin him bottles once a day stopped feeding him around 3 months. When he was around 5 months he started gettin eczema and hads a littld reflux so put him on goats milk worked like a charm and he is a happy and healthy little man. (no bottles anymore though stopped over a yr ago)

[mummy2marshy]

Oh i absolutely love the idea of this thread.I never attempted to BF any of my kids it just wasnt a thing for me and im often criticised about how i can know its not for me if i havnt tried well i guess same reason some never try bottle feeding its my choice and i chose to FF and it worked out great.My first 2 kids had problems with sucking and drinking when they were born and i think back and wonder if i did BF would i have known they wernt getting any milk? i dont know but im just glad i found out when i did after that drama it was smooth sailing.I get asked almost everytime why dont i BF and seriously im abit sick of it i dont ask BF mothers why they dont FF but anyway i dont wanna put any1 down we all make choices and its always for the best interests of our kids.

[chubbybubby]

I FF my son from about 6 weeks. During my entire pregnancy, I never even considered that I would have a problem BF - nobody tells you it can be a problem for some woman. I have tiny boobs and I don't care what anyone says, but I think it makes it much harder!! Anyway, when DS was born I tried my hardest, but the pain was excruciating. I would pour blood and tense up the entire feed. I had lots of milk but it just wasn't happening! I tried a nipple shield, but it hacked up my nipples so badly and made everything more painful. I dreaded every feed and would often feed him with tears rolling down my cheeks - the pain was so bad. But I was determined! The week I came home, the pain became so bad that I had to get DP to go to the shops and get a bottle and formula. DS was perfectly content with that, but the next morning when the MCHN came, she made me feel like I had done something terrible. When she left, I burst into tears! Luckily, I had a different MCHN visit me the next week and she was great. After 5 weeks of trying to BF and almost getting things on track, DS came down with a cold and could not suck properly. And that was it! I figured it just wasn't meant to be. My son thrived on the bottle and I was actually able to enjoy feeding him - when I was BF I resented him for causing me such pain! Thats no way to bond with your child!!

DS is now 2 years and 8 months. He is a healthy, happy boy and certainly doesn't appear any worse off for being FF. We will be TTC later this year and I will again try to BF but if it doesn't happen, I certainly won't be afraid to FF.

[~Alicia]

Hi there! I've only read the first eight pages, and I'll get around to reading the rest later i swear :laughing:

Just want to say hello and join in.

I've been FF DD since she was 6/7 weeks.
When we were BF we would feed for 3 hours 5 mins on five off IYKWIM. and she wasnt settling. She was putting on weight though. But I was a walking zombie. After 6 weeks mum bought me a tin of formula, we've never looked back. Alexi started sleeping through as well :smiliedance:

[SamanthaJane]

:wave: Bump :wave:

[Leez]

When I went to FF I actually felt GUILT that everything was all of a sudden going so well!! DD was happy and feeding like a champion, DH feels included and enthusiastic about feeding her, I'm getting a full night's sleep Fri and Sat nights as DH does the night feeds, so because of that I'm energised for the whole week, I can get away for a bit of a wander around the shops or whatever if I need to...compare this to the utter nightmare that was our BF experience, I know its not the best but seriously, there are some pretty huge consolation prizes to FF.

People also talk about the hassle of FF with all the sterilising etc. but you know I don't find it a hassle at all! I'm in such a routine with it now I could do it blindfolded and it doesn't take up more than 15min a day.

Without doubt if I had another baby I'd try to BF again and bring to it all the things I learnt this time around, but as others have said, if it was going down the same road, I'd switch to FF before things got to the point they did this time and hopefully without the feelings of failure that we so often beat ourselves up with.

[Mummamoo]

I am a bottle feeder. I breastfed Ellie for 8 weeks and hated every second of it, for reasons that are personal and non-debatable.

So I switched to the bottle and never looked back. Heidi never had the breast, always the bottle, and thrived.

I will bottle feed this baby from the get go as well.

And I will not be made to feel inferior, guilty or neglegent. I am a bottle feeder and proud. So any mums out there who need some support or advice, feel free to PM me, I'm a wealth of information on bottle feeding :D

[kateka]

I believe every mum knows what their child needs/wants.
I bf my first for 14 months and tried for months to wean her on ff with no luck now having my 2nd a prem i didnt really want to but being that she was prem the hospital really stressed it so i expressed exclusively for 2 weeks, and after feeds when she was capable.
It has now been just over a week scince i ceased bf i made the decision because my lil baby was always unsettled, i was tired and started to feel like we were drifting apart.
but i never thought in doing so i would recieve so many comments i recently went to the chemist cause lil one has a cold and they told me the best thing to do was to re commence bf :eek: and that she was sick because i stopped bf... I have a family mem who has a baby the same age and said how can you do that to her?
I cant understand who gave everybody the right to tell us whats right for our babies?
My baby is a very different baby now she is HAPPY which makes me happy our bond is so much closer now.
I think if your babys happy and healthy who cares how we feed them as long as theyre feed.:thumbsup:

[FourAngelKisses]

I tried unsuccessfully to BF my first 3, the longest I lasted was 2wks. I am dead against trying to BF this baby, I just want to use formula from day one. I honestly can't see me being successful with it and the pain (emotional and physical) would be too much when I have 3 other kids to raise and a house to run. I just don't know how to tell my husband that I want to do this. He wanted me to try with my last baby even though I didn't want to, so I did and I didn't get very far.

Is there anything that you can get to dry your milk up if you decide not to BF, or does your milk just not come in?

[zoemacaroni]

hi all
just thought i would add my piece too, i breastfeed my first for about 3 months, and she decided it wasn't for her, used to scream and throw her body around when i tried to feed her, made me feel terrible, as soon as i gave her a bottle she would drink it all quite happily. So from then on it was only bottle, she grew up to be a lovely fat healthy baby and i don't regret it at all. My second was the total opposite and i am still breastfeeding and i am struggling to get her to drink anything else, there are times i wish i had just gone straight onto the bottle, and i have decided that if i have another i will start of expressing into a bottle and then move onto formula, I dont know if i want to breastfeed again. But that is just how i feel about it. I know that as most of you have said there will be a lot of people that will try to force me into breastfeeding, but I honestly believe its a mothers decision, we all want what is best for our children and we all do what is best for our children. Definately need more support for those bottle feeding mums........

[Lillynix]

Just wanted to say I think this is a great thread, i'm kind of from the otherside of the fence, I really wanted to breastfeed Holly, I could think of nothing better than doing this for my little girl and the thought never crossed my mind that I may not be able to breastfeed her until that time came.

It got to the point where my nipples were extremely sore and I would tense up and have tears running down my face while I was trying to feed her, I was just not enjoying it because of the pain and I didn't want those negative vibes/feelings transferring to Holly. But continued to breastfeed while in Hospital hoping to get the hang of things, as before I got sore, I really did enjoy it. But by day 4 I came to realise that I just didn't have enough milk to cope with Hollys demands (I had complications after an emergency c-section and was told it could affect my milk supply) she would feel for an hour, 30mins on each side, i'd put her to bed and she'd wake in 2 hours absoloutely starving again, so I started expressing my milk and bottle feeding her, that way I knew how much she was getting and knew that she would be getting enough and fantastically it worked! Holly started sleeping 4-5hours between feeds, but her appetite increased very quickly and I was struggling to express the amounts I needed for a day, so I sent DH down to the chemist to get some formula, best decision I made! Although Holly is still getting EBM during the day when I am able to express enough for her feeds I substitute with FF over night, so she has around 3 EBM bottles and 3 FF everyday and now she is happy and content and sleeping well now that she is getting enough to eat!

I struggled with my decision to start with, feeling as though I had failed Holly with not being able to BF her and one of the midwives that came to see me at home really didn't help, she made me feel EXTREMELY guilty and that I wasn't doing the best by my baby. But after talking with DH and making sure he understood why I was not BF Holly and speaking with my mother and MIL and some NICE midwives I have now come to terms with my decision to bottlefeed. I am doing what's best for Holly, and at only 10days old she's already drinking 110mls 6times a day, I definately cannot keep up with that demand, I simply do not have enough milk, so substituting with FF works well. It also means that by bottlefeeding my DH gets to bond with his daughter at feed times aswell and he looks forward to coming home from work and feeding Holly her bedtime bottle, it also means I can have a break on the weekends while DH does the nightshift!

Although I would still love to breastfeed, I know it's not possible, Holly simply doesn't get enough milk, but I figure, I am giving Holly some amount of breastmilk and just because it's from a bottle and not directly from my breast doesn't mean it's any less good for her and if it wasn't for the FF of a night time she would starve!

So to all of us who bottlefeed, whether it be EBM, FF or a little of both, we ARE doing the best thing by our babies...we are keeping them well fed and happy and that should be the bottom line, don't let ANYONE tell you otherwise, don't let ANYONE make you feel as guilty as I was made to feel we ARE doing the right thing!!!

[~EmsMum~]

xxxDragonFlyxxx your DD looks beautiful :)

[Lillynix]

ehehe thanks Emsmum :)

I must say though, your avatar is very cute, go the bubblebath hair! :p
I remember doing that with my bubbles in the bath when I was little then looking at my reflection in the tap...always made me laugh!

[SamanthaJane]

Thanks for sharing your story Dragonfly :hugs:

Your daughter is gorgeous!!!

[~Alicia]

:yes: thanks Dragonfly :hugs:

[RedPanda]

This is the first time I've participated in this thread, but have read it often and think it's a great idea. I was at a wedding on the weekend and had a young guy ask me if my baby was "on the boob". When I said no, he kept asking me why not and in the end I felt quite crabby because I was trying to chill out and enjoy the festivities.
SJ - I know you plan to FF from birth, but I can't remember why. What are your reasons? (Obviously as a fellow bottle-feeder I'm not criticising - just geniunely curious). Feel free to tell me to mind my own biz - that's what I feel like telling people whenever they ask me, but I never mind other mothers or mothers-to-be asking me.

[MrsMiggins]

Hi all!

I just noticed this thread today.

I did fully intend to breast feed my baby, but this proved impossible after several different issues.

I guess I can see where some people may not understand why someone would bottle feed their baby. I never considered bottle feeding before we had our difficulties, and it was a really hard decision for me to make. I just assumed that any difficulties could be overcome and assumed that this applied to everyone. Now I certainly know different! And it has also helped me to understand why some women would choose to bottle feed their baby, and have no intention of breast feeding. Not that I would ever judge anyone - I'm a firm advocate of the good ol' "each to their own" philosophy - but I just couldn't understand the reasoning before I had my own baby.

So I think that if someone had no difficulties breast feeding, or was able to overcome difficulties to successfuly breast feed, then I can understand why they may have trouble understanding why some women do bottle feed.

Of course, this does not ever give people the right to judge! :no:

I do plan to try again and hope to get the whole breast feeding thing right this time round, but knowing what I know now, I will not suffer the same self-disappointment & guilt I felt when I began bottle feeding DD IF I end up having to bottle feed again.

My DD is very clever, very healthy and very advanced for her age. There is not a person in the world who could look at her & say honestly that she is disadvantaged for not having been fully breast fed for the first 6 months of her life.

So if anyone is reading this thread feeling guilty for bottle feeding their baby - don't!! There is no need for guilt! :D

[RedPanda]

I was just checking out a "celebrity pregnancy" site (yes, it's pretty sad I know :o ) and there's a great site listing all the famous mothers who have breastfed (Pamela Anderson, Demi Moore etc). I have tried googling to see any famous bubs who were bottlefed, but can't find any. Maybe I'm googling the wrong search terms. Does anyone else wan't to have a go?

[GuruMama]

I too have breast & bottle feed both my children. I breast feed my first and bottle feed my second. It was my choice and my choice only!! I support either way. At the end of the day babies thrive either way, their happy and content as long as they're feed!!! Mums have to feel happy feeding their babies, and if they're missrable because breast feeding just isnt for them and its being pushed by MW, families, friends etc.. they should look within themselves and do what FEELS best for them and baby! Happy mum, happy baby!!!

[MrsMiggins]

I was just checking out a "celebrity pregnancy" site (yes, it's pretty sad I know :o ) and there's a great site listing all the famous mothers who have breastfed (Pamela Anderson, Demi Moore etc). I have tried googling to see any famous bubs who were bottlefed, but can't find any. Maybe I'm googling the wrong search terms. Does anyone else wan't to have a go?


I had a look but couldn't find anything either. I think it would be difficult to find anything. Especially in the US there is a big backlash for promoting formula, so it would be difficult to find any celebs seen to be endorsing it I think. Which is a shame in the way that women who feel guilt over having to bottle feed can't get that support of knowing they are not alone.

[JumpingBean]

[QUOTE=Kaileysmum;300059]
I thank god for formula, otherwise I would have post natal depression.

I totally agree with you. My DD had to spend her first two days in the special care nursery as we were both ill and on antibiotics, so I was not allowed to see her the first night or feed her either. She ended up having formula and got used to the bottle and couldn't attach to me. We tried nipple sheilds to make her think I was the bottle, but she still wasn't getting enough milk from me or attaching, and was also having formula top-ups. I was expressing and she would take it from the bottle tho.
But the first night home, she screemed all night as she was hungry and just not getting enough from me. We gave her some formula and she fell asleep - for 6 hours!!! I went to a lactation consultant, she suggested expressing still as she could see my DD couldn't attach. I expressed for a week for her, but was also toppin her up with formula and ended up absolutely exhausted! I felt like by the time I had expressed, then fed bub, then put her back to sleep, it was time to start it all over again. I spent my first week in tears and was getting about 3 hours sleep a day. I wasn't able to enjoy my first week with my newborn at all.
In the end, she ended up happier on formula and DH loved it as he could share in the feeding also. I felt like I had to justify myself to everyone for doing it as I felt so guilty about what other people would say.
I know now it doesn't matter what other people think, it's what works best for you and bub. We haven't looked back since and have a very happy content little girl.

[mum23girls]

I only breastfed DD1 for three months and was sooo upset and in pain that resulted in Mastitis really bad in both breasts. DD2 was breastfed (while gritting my teeth) for 2 weeks before putting her on the bottle and DD3 for three weeks before putting on bottle. Both DD2 & 3 were projectile vomiters and all I can say is thank good for thickened formula!!!:smiliedance:

I hate that because of my disasterous breast feeding attempt for DD1, my hubby's pride and joys are no longer....... I now can not stand my breasts being touched, even by the man that I love to bits..........

I wish I was game to formula feed earlier with DD1, but the pressures of pro breastfeeding (namely my mother) made me do it till I just wanted to die..........

Go formula!!!!:D

[neeny]

Hi

Glad to see this thread!

The only person who's given me grief for bottle feeding (in a round about way) is my oldest SIL. Last comment was "advantage of breast feeding is weight loss" well it didn't work for her (even though she's due to pop #4 soon - she wasn't thin inbetween bubs) and it didn't work for 2nd youngest SIL who gave up on Weight Watchers twice!

Anyway my little girl is pretty healthy as I have been sick with colds and bronchitis this winter. However I did manage to start her off on Colostrum for the first couple of days so I'm proud of that at least! The reason I had to formula feed is because of medication.

Also DH loves to feed his little poppett and sometimes we fight over who's going to do it!

[Tulp]

Bub is now 2 weeks and a bit and I have to bottle feed formula top-ups combined with breastfeeding (and expressing). Am not making enough to sustain bub. While at the hospital little Sean lost 10% of his weight so it was suggested that I may want to give him formula as well. Broke my heart knowing that he had been hungry all this time.

Can't help but feel like I need to be producing more milk for bub. Don't think it's an attachment issue. DH husband has been very very supportive. Needless to say it's been a little disheartening none the less.

Expressing, topping up with formula, changing etc. and the whole process starts again, and I am just exhausted. Have been very teary these few days.

[RedPanda]

Bub is now 2 weeks and a bit and I have to bottle feed formula top-ups combined with breastfeeding (and expressing). Am not making enough to sustain bub. While at the hospital little Sean lost 10% of his weight so it was suggested that I may want to give him formula as well. Broke my heart knowing that he had been hungry all this time.
Oh Tulp you poor thing! :hugs: You sound sooo much like me when I was trying to bf my son. My DS lost more than 10 per cent in hospital, and they topped him up with formula. I lost my confidence and put him on the bottle exclusively after trying to express for a while. Don't feel down on yourself - it is such an emotional time. I cried at least ten times a day in the weeks that my milk was drying up.

Maybe you could post a message in the bf section to get tips on how to boost your milk supply. If you're keen to keep bf, there are heaps of people to help you. Goosie and Funkychicken are both full of bf knowledge and support. Of course you are also most welcome here on the bottlefeeding thread. Your baby will be fine - he won't starve.:hugs:

[Tulp]

Maybe you could post a message in the bf section to get tips on how to boost your milk supply. If you're keen to keep bf, there are heaps of people to help you. Goosie and Funkychicken are both full of bf knowledge and support. Of course you are also most welcome here on the bottlefeeding thread. Your baby will be fine - he won't starve.:hugs:


:hugs: thank you. Nice to know I am not the only. I would like to keep trying and if it does not work then it does not work. Will go have a look at the other threads. Even typing this I have tears in my eyes.

Guess it's not so much how little bub gets fed, it's just all the pain I was going through 3 weeks before bub arrived (with the bruised rib from his kicking), how I wanted a natural childbirth and ended up with C-sec after 17 hours of labour and now problems with BF. Just can't help wondering when things will settle. I know it will. So am trying to focus on enjoying the precious gift we have. It truly helps.

DH has been excellent through all this. He keeps telling me it does not matter how bub gets fed as long as he gets fed and gets all the love he deserves. It does not make me any less of a mommy.

[elice_in_oz]

Hi all!

I'm new here so bear with me... Great thread and just what I need at the moment. DS is 9 weeks and I've pretty much been "brottle :p(breastmilk via bottle)-feeding" him since he was born. He wouldn't attach properly, I got sore nipples and I didn't find the whole BFing experience particularly blissful. So I guess those were my reasons for not persevering with it.

I have lots of milk so expressing is pretty easy but it's getting the better of me timewise. I feel like I'm spending the whole day feeding, expressing, washing and sterilising and I get stressed when I get behind on milk production :banghead:. So I have made the decision to put him on formula for some feeds a day. I do feel guilty though because everywhere you turn, it's all about BF is best so I guess I've come here to feel better and share my pangs of doubt.

But hey, I was formula fed from the word go and I guess I turned out OK!

Any advice on the next step - going from breastmilk to formula gently - would be appreciated. Also, I'm going back to France - homeland - for 6 weeks over Xmas :D. I will obviously be buying formula there so should I choose a brand that's available here and there (kind of restrict my choices) or can I change while there - I've read that it's not advisable to change brands... Any help much appreciated.

Cheers for now.

[mumofprincess20]

I breastfed for 4 months but decided to change to bottles due to certain things that were going on at the time. I don't think anyone should worry if they are bottle feeding, they have excellent formulas nowdays so your babies are getting something thats almost just as good as breastmilk. I was feeding Kalani s26 alf pro but I have changed to nan gold 2ha. It has worked wonders on Kalani's eczema and have been told it's due to the pro biotics added to the formula.

[Lisa123]

The only person who's given me grief for bottle feeding (in a round about way) is my oldest SIL. Last comment was "advantage of breast feeding is weight loss" well it didn't work for her (even though she's due to pop #4 soon - she wasn't thin inbetween bubs) and it didn't work for 2nd youngest SIL who gave up on Weight Watchers twice!

Well, I'm sorry to say, but I disagree with your oldest SIL.

I put on 25kg with my DS, I breastfed him for three weeks (I gave up due to the mastitis, crack nipples etc...) within 2 months I'd lost 18kg, within 6 months I was back to my prepregnancy weight and now (DS has just turned one) I'm 3kg below my prepregnancy weight.

I lost the weight by eating healthy and walking everywhere with my DS, not by breastfeeding.

If I have the same problems with breastfeeding when my next ones come along I will have no hesitation to put them on formula also.

I also say thank god for formula, it let me get my life back, allowing me to eat and drink whatever I liked (I love curries!!!) and I was no longer in pain due to mastitis, cracked nipples etc, so as they say, happy mum, happy baby!!!

I say formula all the way!!! :smiliedance:

[belle05]

Just wanted to say hi! :wave: & wish you all well with your FF!! I think you're all wonderful, you should be proud of your decisions as you're making them based on whats best for you and your baby.

In this day & age I am stunned that some ppl have a problem with FF. I'm not yet a mum ... TTC at the moment, but have always highly regarded FF as my sister did it with her children from day 1 and they're gorgeous (hehe I am a bias aunty though), my cousin did it from day 1 with her bub and my mum FF me from day 1. I guess because of being around ppl who don't have a problem with FF I always assumed I would FF from day 1 as they always commend it. Call it ignorance, but I never knew it was considered as a 'lesser' option, I honestly thought you BF or you FF depending on your personal choice and that was that.

Anyway sorry it's a little long, just thought I would say hi & be proud! :hugs:

B

[SamanthaJane]

Just thought i would bump this thread up.... :wave:

It's always here if anyone needs a little support :yes: :hugs:

[Duchessa]

Well, when I went from breast to bottle it was quite hard - after feeding for 9 months I really missed the reward of knowing I was providing so intimately for my babies. But by far the worst thing was it was so darn hard to find a formula that they could stomache - both babies ended up in hospital with severe allergic reaction when they had some formula in their solids at 7 months - it was the most frightening moment in my life and while they were struggling to breath when their bodies were fighting the formula I really thought I was going to lose them both. After trying hydrolysed formula and having the same reaction, then using soy for only two weeks before they became allergic as well I finally ended up using neocate. They have been drinking neocate for 10 months now. I wish I had have been able to keep breast feeding. Maybe I could have avoided the complications with the food allergies they are struggling to overcome now :(

So thanks for the hug. Have you decided whether you are going to use formula or breastmilk?

[hoping4another]

Hi ladies,
I am here to get some support i have decide to FF my bub for my own personal reason that i don't want to post i have found it very hard for myself to tell other's that i am not going to BF without been looked down on and made to feel bad. I am also to scared to tell my midwife and OB's as i don't want to be judge.
How have other dealt with this?
Can someone recommend a formula? I was thinking of using S-26 Gold..

Wendy

[misskittyfantastico]

:yelclap: :smiliedance: to Samantha Jane!!:yelclap: :smiliedance:

This is a fantastic thread.

[SamanthaJane]

Wendy, i will be FF from day one :yes: I too have my own personal reasons which i have shared a few times, but if you don't feel comfortable posting them then that is perfectly understandable :hugs:

It is hard trying to say "I will be FF", because i think we all know what the reaction will be from the Midwives... But just be strong and confident in your decision. They will offer you lots of info about breast feeding, and take it all in. If, at the end of the day, you still want to FF then just say "thanks, but no thanks" sorta thing... if they are doing their job correctly, they wont force you into anything you don't want to do or cannot do :yes:

I will be using S-26 and i will just wait and see how bubby goes on that... it's just trial and error really, but most things i have read say that S-26 is the best out there... but, like everything, there will always be different opinions :yes:

So, good luck with everything! Happy Mum = Happy Baby

[suemp]

hoping for miracle: i could be wrong but i think s26 gold you pay alot just for the name. wen my son wouldnt bf my mum bought a tin of s26 gold and ds was never satisfied so i just bought the cheapest nurture by heinz and he loved it. so i guess its hit and miss.
midwifes im saying would almost definately judge. they tend to belong to the bf brigade and judged me even though ds could not bf as he was severely low muscle tone and could not latch on. as he was my first and all my family shoved bf down my throat as well as middies i took wat they said to heart and it made me feel even worse than i already did. this bub being number 2....i will try to bf but if i cant i will put up blinkers to the midwifes which is wat you should too. dont give a **** wat they say as YOU are the one going home with the baby not them. id rather a happy ff baby than a bf baby who's mum is that depressed she starts to detest her baby...trust me ive been there.
if you tell friends you want to ff and they give you hell for 1 they arent real friends and 2 everyone will always think their a better parent than you and have stuff to say. on EVERY matter. how you feed your child is just the start of it. so you ignore it. my son is 5 and parents at his pre school like to tell you how to discipline your child, wat to give them for lunch etc etc. you will be a great mum :hugs:

[Billy]

Hi ladies,
I am here to get some support i have decide to FF my bub for my own personal reason that i don't want to post i have found it very hard for myself to tell other's that i am not going to BF without been looked down on and made to feel bad. I am also to scared to tell my midwife and OB's as i don't want to be judge.
How have other dealt with this?
Can someone recommend a formula? I was thinking of using S-26 Gold..

Wendy

I agree with SJ it is trial and error... When we had to swich to FF we tried 4 different brands before discovering DD is lactose intolerant :rolleyes: We are now on the s26 one for lactose intolerance.
But it really does depend on the bubba :yes:

[mum23girls]

Hi hoping4miracle.......If you go in there with shoulders held up high and flat out state that you will be/are bottlefeeding...it gets it out there and hopefully them seeing that you are strong about it may help. If they try to sway you, just nicely say - no thanks, don't ummm and ahhh about it. You are the mother and you will do what you want to do.

A lot of people I know have had problems with the S-26....I woud recommend Heinze formula, I have used it without any problems for 6 years. Sometimes though your baby will guide you what works for one, may not work for another....

Good luck and stay strong!!:hugs:

[mytwolilprinces]

Hi Hopingforamiracle,

I ff both my boys from very early on - I found breast-feeding very difficult, my nipples were split in 2, bleeding constantly even though I was told my attachment was correct. I think new mothers have enough to cope with, let alone having midwives, family, and other (well-meaning I'm sure) people telling them they are doing the wrong thing by their baby. With DS1 I struggled through for the first 3 weeks and then started the formula and it was like a heavy cloud lifted from me and for the first time since giving bith to him, I started enjoying having a baby. With DS2 I choose to FF as soon as I left the hospital - I told the midwives, nurses of my intentions and I think because of my own confidence in my decision they didn't question me or try to make me feel as though I was letting my baby down.

Be strong and do what's best for you. Having a happy,healthy and loving mother is the BEST thing for your baby :)

P.S I have found Heinz Nuture to be very good ( and also a lot cheaper than some other brands ). Karicare is also good.

[Tannie]

I have been told, and also seen on various threads about the issue, that pretty much all the "gold" formulas seem to cause constipation in a lot of bubs.
I have used S-26 normal with both mine.....I swapped to NAN for a bit with #2 cause she had bad reflux - but made no difference. NAN did seem "lighter" and one of my more knowledgable MCHN friends told me that NAN has more Whey proteins, whereas S-26 is more Casein (or was it the other way around??? forget now!!) and that in theory - NAN should be easier on newborns, rather then S-26.............APPARENTLY!! :idea: LOL

I think use whichever you can buy easily and is cheapest - you will probalby find they are all about the same - some of them seem cheaper - but when you look at how much formula / mls needed - you need to use more...........kwim? Only the Gold formulas seem to actually be dearer.

Having said that - I used in an emergency once - the chemist homebrand........and my daughter got TERRIBLE wind from it - what an awful sunday that was until i could get some S-26 again! I think their guts get used to a particular type........I've read and been told several times to NOT swap between formulas - it rarely is the cause of actual or percieved problems anyway.

I also have been told karicare is good.....??

Good luck with your choice. Make no mistake - you probably WILL be given a lot of flak - subtle and not so subtle........get your close loved ones on your side and think of what you will say to pushy midwifes etc when they start on at you.........a few good retorts should do it......plan what you'll say in advance and just stick to your guns. YOU know what you want to do and YOU know yourself best. Be prepared to change your mind if you want too - I have heard of women who are adament they won't breastfeed, then after the birth, change their mind and actually quite enjoy it!!! Bizarre but true...LMAO :kiss:

Cheers,
T

[Angelmist♥]

Be prepared to change your mind if you want too - I have heard of women who are adament they won't breastfeed, then after the birth, change their mind and actually quite enjoy it!!! Bizarre but true...

LOL I'm one of those women!!With DS1, I was adamant that I would BF, PFFFT didn't last long!He refused to latch properly and all he would do was scream.After a few weeksof screaming,a blocked duct in the right boob and mastitis in the left I put him on Heinz and never looked back!!

Then 13 months later DS2 was born and I wasn't going through that **** again, so informed (yep you definitely can't be subtle about it!) the MW that I would be FF from birth.As soon as he was born, they laid him on my chest and instinctively he fed:eek: Ha ha I wasn't prepared for that!He was such the opposite of DS2 (very laid back,easy going bub)that I successfully fed him for 2 months until again I had blocked ducts.

Just thought I'd add- yes I know you're supposed to keep feeding but it's pretty hard when you're nearly screaming every time your bub even looks like they might be getting hungry.

Well with DD, once again I was adamant that I would feed and did quite successfully for 6weeks (well with shields and pumping for the first 2wks) and then she screamed one night from 11pm til 7am and no amount of BF would console her so I made her 50mls of Heinz, she drank 40 of it and slept for 4hrs and refused my BM from that point on.

Sorry I'm rambling!!It does feel good to get it all out but;) So tough!!

I was devastated with DD (I was diagnosed with PND) but really I think it's because I was SO going to get it right this time.

You know what, one day I woke up and thought so???She's fed,happy, growing well,learning new tricks every day........She doesn't care!!It's only me that does!


SO long story short:laughing: hoping4miracle-I've used Heinz Gold for all 3 bubs and have never had a drama.Can you get some sample sachets maybe??

[Little Gorilla]

Isn't it funny - feeding your baby comes down to what is right for YOU and YOUR bub - no one else.

I breast fed for about 4 ish weeks...gosh, I can't really remember because they were the worst 4 weeks of my life.

As a result of my now 19 months of bottle feeding I have a very smart, active, loving, gentle boy who I wouldn't change in one way.

[our little treasures]

babyganoush maybe samantha jane should have added don't attack b/f mums and their choices.. Keep it in line with why the thread was started!! I was happily reading all the posts as I am a b/f mummy and found this thread very interesting at how mums that bottle feed feel.

I eat totally ****unhealthy food as you have said.. I'm not sure if you are aware of this but what you eat does not have an effect on the babies health etc!!

I do agree with the drinking and drugging but seriously don't use this thread as a stab at b/f mums!!!

Now I have given ds 2 bottles of formula at different times (to see if he will sleep through, doesn't work and each time he has screamed in pure agony with his next movement!! I cannot let him go through this again!!

Tannie~ I heard a nurse reccomend NAN as the better formula for newborns and she told the mum that s26 was given to the hospital thats why they gave it to children!! Not sure why but thought mmmmhhhh how interesting!!:D

[Ana Gram]

I just realised I have never made a post in here!

I breastfed for 6 weeks. Well actually truth be told, she was only on the breast at the hospital. As soon as we left that horrible place I expressed. I absolutely hated breastfeeding, every second of it.
It was fantastic the day DD went on formula. I was actually glad to get the head to toe eczema that needed weeks or steriods to get rid of.

[our little treasures]

EEk what head to toe eczema??!! I have never heard of it??!!

While I do post in celebrating breastfeeding I don't think I have ever put a bottle feeding mum down.. I think this post samantha jane started is great for all you ff mums and after reading the other threads in this section I don't think many are aware of this thread!!!

[Ana Gram]

EEk what head to toe eczema??!! I have never heard of it??!!



I tell a lie, it wasn't on my face thank god. But the itching, oh the itching! I didn't sleep for days. My DD also gets eczema and has had it from head to toe (in patches, not the entire skin) before as well.

[hoping4another]

Hi ladies,
I would like to thank all ladies so have answered and helped me with my question it has help heaps and i now will hold my head up high and be proud to tell everyone that i am going to be a FF mummy because this is best for my baby.
Thankyou on the advice of the formula's OMG there are sooo many to pick from but i am toosing up between heniz and Nan now so we just have to decide in 18 weeks which one to pick.
I will be a proud FF mummy now Thanks to you ladies for your encouragement.

Wendy

[SamanthaJane]

Glad we can help Wendy :yelclap: :hugs:

[Ashleigh<3]

Hello ladies :wave:

Just wanted to stop by and send some support in on FF'ing.

I've decided to give BF'ing a go out right, (that's if my bub's ever does decide to come out..:rolleyes: )

If things don't go well, i shalln't be hesitant towards FF'ing.

Wether you BF, or FF, you're still a MOTHER.
One doesn't make you more superior then the other. :)

In the end, it's whats best for your baby.
I think FF is a real life saviour, and can no doubt be very beneficial for our babies, such as, if an infection-mastitis occured, etc.

Good Luck to FF'ing Sam! :)

[MrsMiggins]

Just to jump in on the thing about formula brands & which one to choose, it is definitely trial & error to see which one works best for you & for baby.

We got S-26 Gold because I had no idea what was what (as I had always just assumed I would have been BF and never for a moment considered formulas) and DH had used this for his other DD seven years prior.

Luckily DD took well to it, and it has been brilliant for us. Yes, it is slightly more expensive, but I think well worth it when you compare what it has with some other cheaper brands. We just stock up when it goes on special, so often pay only $17-$18 for a tin.

S-26 Gold can be a constipation culprit moreso than other brands, but that is because it has the highest iron content of any brand of formula. Having said that though, it doesn't by any means always cause constipation (otherwise no-one would buy it I guess!) and my DD never had any problems with it.

She is a very advanced, thriving 1-year old! (One on Wednesday! :smiliedance: )

[sunshinemummy]

I bottle fed for the first baby and breast fed most of the time for the second. I wasn't comfortable the first time around and i copped a few looks for it too. I agree with schmell, there should be a support group for mums who bottle feed.

[Trixie]

I'm moving over to this forum, so happy to find this thread. I have both bottle and breastfed my children breastfeeding dosn't always work out.

[SamanthaJane]

Just a question...

How long after the jug stops boiling (i.e. when my jug light turns off... lol) do i need to wait until the water is considered "cooled boiled water" :confused:

[Little Gorilla]

Just a question...

How long after the jug stops boiling (i.e. when my jug light turns off... lol) do i need to wait until the water is considered "cooled boiled water" :confused:


It would take a while for it to be cooled boiled water...my kettle I would says over 2 hours.

Easiest way to make a bottle is to have about 8 to 10 in your fridge with water in that has been boiled.

Then when you need a bottle, boil up some water, tip out say 20mls (can't remember how much I tipped out, but enough so that the bottle will be nice and warm) from one of the bottles you have in the fridge, top back up with 20mls of the newly boiled water and then add formula. Easy peesy.

[SamanthaJane]

Okay thanks :D

So can i put boiling water straight into the bottles, or will it damage them?

[Melo]

I've put boiling water straight into the bottles before SJ, and they were fine. I just left them on the bench to cool down.

[SamanthaJane]

Thanks! :D

[Melo]

No worries.

[reAllytee]

I used to boil the kettle every morning when we got up & that was then ready for the whole day i would just heat it as needed.
For overnite i would boil one kettle full & half fill bottles then refrigerate them then all i had to do was add more boiling water at the time.
Then i got to the stage where i would make the overnite ones up & refridgerate them to microwave as needed because Boof was impatient !

[FourAngelKisses]

Just make sure the water has been boiling for 5mins before you turn the jug off to make sure all the germies are killed.

[Little Gorilla]

Just make sure the water has been boiling for 5mins before you turn the jug off to make sure all the germies are killed.

I've always just boiled my water in the kettle - which I would say only boils for about 30 seconds....I never really thought about how long the water had boiled for until I saw info on bubhub that it should boil for 5 mins - do you think this makes much difference:) .

Gosh, the things I have learnt on here:cool:

[EskimoMumma]

It honestly depends on your water quality though to determine the length of boiling time. Usually it is just fine to let the kettle boil itself, but of course, to be better safe than sorry you could do 5 minutes.

[FourAngelKisses]

I used to just throw a jug of water (covered to stop things dripping in off the roof) in the microwave for 10mins. Did it at breakfast time every day so I wouldn't forget.

[~EmsMum~]

I used to just throw a jug of water (covered to stop things dripping in off the roof) in the microwave for 10mins. Did it at breakfast time every day so I wouldn't forget.

that s ounds like a easy way! :D

[au01]

Good on you Samantha for starting this thread.

I have been on both sides of this situation when I couldn't BF my first DD I got negative comments about putting her on formula.

My 2nd and 3rd DD I have breast fed and still get comments from 'friends' that I should put her on the bottle so she will sleep better and get her on schedule. ??
Why is this? I ask
It is not them getting up during the night to feed her.

It should not matter what anyone else thinks.
Can people not understand that you do what you think is right for your child and you.

[SamanthaJane]

Just a little reminder that this thread is here.... :wave:

Feeling a little sad today after some nasty comments were made.... :gloomy:

[Niki]

:hugs: :hugs: Sam i hope the comment werent about u because you are a great mum

[SamanthaJane]

Yep It was about me... :gloomy: Thanks for the hugs :hugs: :hugs:

[Kizmet]

hey sam, I hope you are ok! I hate that nasty comments get made towards bottle feeding mummies! We are all giving our kidlets the best start in lie that we can! :hugs:

My DD has been bottle fed since she was 2 weeks old and is now a thriving 11 and a half month old :smiliedance: huzzah for bottle feeding as without formula i wouldnt have my DD here with me today!:smiliedance:

[RedPanda]

Was it about bottlefeeding? People should just mind their own business. Honestly, it took me MONTHS to develop a thick skin to bf comments. Try not to let it get to you.

[mummymo]

Hi my baby is nearly 6 weeks old and I have just started to ff him. Now I'm trying to dry up my milk, my doctor told me to wrap my chest really tightly with a towel, my partner has gone away and I'm having trouble getting it tight. Has anyone else got any ideas or any other ways I can do it? :)

[FourAngelKisses]

Bandage??

[blueangel]

Wow, I only just discovered this thread. What a great idea, I only wish I had found it a few weeks ago!

I have had soooo many problems with BF and I battled thru attachemnt issues, reflux, fast let down to finally have my DS refuse to feed from me when he was 4 months. I tried every feed for 4 weeks to get him to BF but he would just tke one suck and scream at me. I spoke to ABA, lactation consultants, doctors, anyone who would listen.It was heart wrenching. I was expressing all feeds for a week or so but it was just too draining and my milk supply was dropping.

In the end we went to FF but I have been feeling so guilty about it. Every time I make up a bottle I read on the side of the tin 'Breast is Best' and it makes me feel worse :gloomy:.

Anyway I am coming to terms with it. DS has been a lot happier and much more settled so that has to count for something!!

[FourAngelKisses]

Every time I make up a bottle I read on the side of the tin 'Breast is Best' and it makes me feel worse :gloomy:.

Don't you hate that!! I used to cross it out with texta so I didn't have to look at it. Like I REALLY wanted to spend $40 a week on formula when I could have fed my kids for free.

[SamanthaJane]

I know the feeling, blueangel, just remember you are doing what is best for your baby in your circumstances.

Happy Baby = Happy Mummy :yes:

mummymo ~ I didn't really use anything when my milk was drying up, i just let it run its course. So i can't help you there... Wish i knew some more tips tho because it was so painful for me!

[blueangel]

Don't you hate that!! I used to cross it out with texta so I didn't have to look at it. Like I REALLY wanted to spend $40 a week on formula when I could have fed my kids for free.

Thats a great idea! :laughing:

[FourAngelKisses]

IMO I don't think it should be allowed to be written on the can.

[blueangel]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing but it is probably some legal obligation or something. I suppose they would put it on there if they didn't have to.

[SamanthaJane]

Yeah they have to, just incase people are "misinformed" :rolleyes: Like we don't know it all already!

[Shazbutt]

mummymo - I just let drying up take it's course when i started ff my two. DD1 was at 3 weeks, and i ff DD2 from birth. Now THAT was uncomfortable, as my milk had to come in and everything with no relief. :( Whatever you do, DON'T be tempted to just let a bit out, you'll only cause yourself to make more milk, and more pain!

Maybe a bandage would be better than a towel, if you do anything at all. The pressure on mine (even a bra) was too much, and even though it was painful when engorged, it was more comfy to leave them loose as much as possible. Good luck!

[FourAngelKisses]

Yeah they have to, just incase people are "misinformed" :rolleyes: Like we don't know it all already!

Yep, they open our mouths, stick a funnel in there and shove it down our throats as hard as they can.

[mummymo]

Thanks for the advice :) yeah definately wont be letting any out! Panadol or something stronger will be my friend I'm guessing. They are starting to get full so I may have a bit of a painful night. I've read in a few other threads that cabbage leaves help so might try that one person said the pill helped hers, started back on that today so I'll see what happens. I love that theres somewhere to go to ask people from personal experience :)

I felt so guilty the first time I was going to start him on formula and the other day I'd had enough, once I was sitting feeding him with the bottle I had the biggest smile on my face. You definately have to do whats best for both you and your baby not just the baby :)

[Shazbutt]

Definitely. A stressed out mumma makes for a stressed out bub.:(

The day i started DD1 on formula, was the first day we'd both been happy since she was born. Before that i was crying at every feed, and secretly kind of resenting her because she wouldn't settle and was always crying (i didn't have enough milk and she was losing weight rapidly). The first time she had a bottle of formula, she slept for 4 hours straight. From that moment on i enjoyed motherhood.

With DD2 i was alot calmer from the start and knew i was giving her the best start that I could....we were both happy because of it.

Good luck with it, i have hear good things about cabbage leaves too, though never actually tried it. It's only the really the first few days that it hurts, then you just leak for a while longer! :o LOL

[FourAngelKisses]

The day i started DD1 on formula, was the first day we'd both been happy since she was born. Before that i was crying at every feed, and secretly kind of resenting her because she wouldn't settle and was always crying (i didn't have enough milk and she was losing weight rapidly).

You and me both!! It was the same with all 3 babies, which is why I am bottle feeding this one from birth.

[cassi*girl]

Well I swore by Cabbage leaves (with the thick vein bit chopped out) that were really cold OR the other thing that gave me heaps of relief was to put wet (wrung out) face washers in the freezer between 2 layers of either glad wrap or freezer bags (so you can pull them apart!!).
Loved it.
You could almost hear the sizzle when I put the really cold face washer on my boobies, but boy did it make a difference.
Those 2 things combined with panadine 4 hourly. I did express a tiny bit in the shower just if I felt there might be a lump forming. This helped too.

Good luck.

Oh it only took about 48 - 72 hours which seems like forever, but goes mighty quick I think!!

Sandi :)

[blueangel]

Something I have heard but never tried was freezing Newborn Nappies!!! You pour a bit of water into the nappy and pop it in the freezer. It is the right shape to fit around your boobs. The midwives actually do this at the hospy where I had bub.:yes:

[ourfirstbubba]

this is a wonderful thread, thanks soo much Samantha Jane

There is so much guilt placed on us Mums who formula feed for whatever reason. When I was pregnant I pictured me placing my baby on my breast and that my baby would feed and it would all be so lovely....it didnt happen this way but I have never felt guilty...when I was breastfeeding I used to dread my baby's feeding time.....I found it painful and was spending so much time trying to get Natalia to attach correctly that we would both end up in tears...me from pain and her from hunger and frustration....as soon as I swapped to bottle feeding, I have not had a problem- my hubby feeds her, so does my Mum and my MIL...we all get to bond with the baby.....

I really need to get this off my chest- when she was first born I cant believe how many women asked me if I was breastfeeding...why would anyone want to know that?

I will never forget my first experience in a David Jones parents room- I walked in and got my babies bottle ready and two other Mums who were breastfeeding looked at me as though I had two heads....I felt like telling them I am not less of a Mum because I did not succeed at breastfeeding.....

anyway, thanks again for this thread......next time round when we have another baby I will b/f whilst I am in hospital but also will be wise enough to not be pushed around by midwives who think that they know your baby better than you do...

take care

[mummymo]

So many choices might try the wrung out face washers in the freezer its my closest option hope it only last a couple of days. Thanks for all the ideas :D

my little man slept for four hours a couple of times last night that was the best i havent had that much sleep in a row for a while, hes a good bub im enjoying him more now because im not in pain when he eats :D i can concentrate on other stuff other than ow this hurts. the joys of being a mother its funny how it all works out the tiny little people we hold in our arms are well worth every minute of pain :D

[1st-timer@34]

Great Thread :thumbsup:

I have never felt any guilt over ff. My bub had jaundice and was under lights for 3 days because I wasn't making enough milk. I had to comp feed in hospital to give him enough milk to get rid of the jaundice. So when I got home I decided that I couldn't risk anything happening to my baby. I tried expressing for a couple of weeks but there was not enough for a good feed, so I decided to just let it go. I had no pain and my milk dried up in a couple of days.

Even though I have no guilt, it still peeves me that I have to explain that I bottle feed because i didn't want my child to starve to death.

[Shazbutt]

I hate that everyone (docs, chn's, and middies) say that there's no such thing as not having enough milk...'helloooo you stupid gits, would you like to wait and see a baby starve just to prove there is'?!

[FourAngelKisses]

I hate that everyone (docs, chn's, and middies) say that there's no such thing as not having enough milk...'helloooo you stupid gits, would you like to wait and see a baby starve just to prove there is'?!

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Why do they think people had wet nurses for back in the old days?

[Shazbutt]

Hmm, i forgot about them! :rolleyes: Imagine how weird it would be for someone else to bf your baby for you! :o If it HAD to be done (like in those days) then yeah, but otherwise, ugh...

[Mrs Dolphin]

Wow what a great thread - and about time too!!

OurfirstBubba - You sound exactly like me! I too thought it would all be rosy and lovely to breastfeed but after fighting for 3weeks with my DD and her losing wieght I decided to FF much to my frustration. I soooo wanted to breastfeed but I too was dreading feeding my DD and we would both be in tears, I wanted to enjoy the baby that I had longed for and now since swapping to FF we are both SO HAPPY!!

Sure, I would love to have breastfed longer but that's life I guess...doesn't always work out how we think!

With my next one I will definitely give breastfeeding another go but if it doesn't work out then I won't muck around in putting he/she on the bottle.

[mum2bubba]

Great thread.

I am planning on breastfeeding this baby for the first month or so but after that I would bottle feed. With Hayley I found it alot easier (less stress etc), I hate when ppl say that "you will bond better with your baby if you breastfeed" that is a load of **** (well for me anyway) I'm not saying I hated bfing but I much prefered bottle feeding as we were less stressed, Hayley was sleeping better at night and it wasn't just me doing all the work, other ppl could bond with her. I was sad for about a day after giving up of bfing but yeah, for me bottle was better.

:yelclap: to all the bottle feeding mums (and the breastfeeding mums too) each to their own, and you don't have to justify yourself to anyone.

[FourAngelKisses]

I didn't bond at all with my babies when trying to breastfeed them. If anything, I was resentful towads them because they were causing me constant agony.

[Kizmet]

I didn't bond at all with my babies when trying to breastfeed them. If anything, I was resentful towads them because they were causing me constant agony.

me too!

[FourAngelKisses]

So I'm not a freak for feeling that way. :smiliedance::smiliedance::smiliedance:

[Kizmet]

So I'm not a freak for feeling that way. :smiliedance::smiliedance::smiliedance:

if you are then i am too :laughing:

[Ana Gram]

I didn't feel any bond with DD until I started bottle feeding. You guys are not alone.

[Mrs Dolphin]

I didn't feel any bond with DD until I started bottle feeding. You guys are not alone.

Yep Same here... once I started bottle feeding I actually bonded with and enjoyed my DD.

[Tulp]

People should just mind their own business.

That's what I think too. I was hoping to breastfeed DS for at least a year. I am also a member of the ABA. But after 2 months both DH and I decided that it would be better to FF since DS was getting frustrated with not getting enough and I was getting upset with not making enough. A whole month an a half I was in pain, had an infection and DS was drawing blood. Still I carried on and kept trying but was miserable. We're FF now and everyone is happy.

Having people shove it down our throat why what we are doing is not good for our child does not make anyone feel any better. DS is doing very well and we believe he's going to be one amazing person and no one can tell us otherwise.

Once again thank you for starting this thread.

[Tulp]

I hate that everyone (docs, chn's, and middies) say that there's no such thing as not having enough milk...'helloooo you stupid gits, would you like to wait and see a baby starve just to prove there is'?!

Well said!!:yelclap:

[kristi001]

Great THread!!!

YaY for FF mummies :) :yelclap:


I ff Harrison from 3 weeks old. He was on S26 Gold but has recently moved on to heins Nurture... :)

[mum2bubba]

I was breastfeeding (well TRYING to breastfeed) Hayley in public (was waiting for Grant to finish work at Coles, she was about 1.5 months) and this Greek lady came up to me really close to my breasts and started gooing and gahing over her, it was really intimatading and annoying to say the least, she was in my personal space, not ony was I new to the whole breastfeeding thing (let alone a new mother) but when you have a complete stranger in your face (or breasts) it drives you batty. I could have gone somewhere more private I guess but the change room was actually locked and the security guards were nowhere to be seen plus its a free counrty.

Anyway I politely told this lady to get lost and she just looked at me wierd and continued to look at Hayley (Hayley was actually crying because I was getting annoyed at this lady for being a bit too close) I finally decided to get up and move. When Grant finished work I said to him "thats it, for now on in public I am taking bottles" (which I did).

Theres my vent for the day.

[Tulp]

DS was on S26 for about 4 months and kept spitting up quite a fair bit. Had medication which did not work, docs and nurses kept telling us it'll be over after 6 months. Poor little bub, he was spewing 1-2 hours after his feed. But no one said anything about switching formula. Anyway we switched to NAN gold and he's perfect with it. No more huge spews, and he's happy. Thank you NAN.

[kiah]

My milk dried up (and took my boobs with it). My bub is thriving and I just give her everything I've got. It might not be out of boobs but it's from my heart.

I would have liked to have kept breastfeeding but it was just not possible.

[mum2anthony]

well I wanna say I love FF... LOL.
Couldn't BF and TBH AJ sleeps a WHOLE lot better on formula... :)

Good on ya FORMULA!! You make my day, lol

[daddaddad]

All, I'm new here and have not read all the posts in this thread but let me tell you my view on bottle feeding, the male/father view.

I watched my wife put herself through the wringer - twice. Together we machine pumped, hand expressed, syringe fed, finger fed, cup fed... we tried sheilds, tablets, drops, creams, vegetables, heat, ice and another dozen things that I've since forgotten about.

With both my daughters, my wife took herself to edge of sanity (maybe a bit further) in order to please an expectation of society. The first time went for 11 weeks! Simply, DD1 was starving.

I remember the stress in the house. I remember not enjoying having a new born in the house. I remember the "tutt tutts" from the NMA nurse and the so called breast feeding specialists each time we asked about other options.

I remember the relief I had both times when I was finally given the green light to buy a bottle. I remember being exhausted but watching them both sleeping soundly...

I understand women who insist on trying to breastfeed. I applaude a woman who puts her childs (and her own) well being ahead or a social stigma.

You'll know when enough is enough. It is your choice.

I have two beautiful daughters, they love both their mum and dad, they love cuddles, they have never had a serious illness (touch wood) and they were both bottle fed.

Enjoy your baby. Enjoy being a mother.

[KaM]

I am a mum who has only ever breast fed her mum and still do. But wanted to come in and give you guys my support as well. So no lynching me!! :laughing:

I always read the debate threads and think to myself. . why does no one ever tell the other side of breastfeeding. . why does no one praise them for doing whats right for their baby .. it honestly infuriates me.

So here goes. .

I give you all a :yelclap: for choosing what is best for your bubs. There is 2 sides to every story. A mother does what she has to , to ensure the best for her bub, be it bottle or breast!!

Anyone who says bottle feeding is lazy . .O M G . .what morons. I give you guys another huge clap for doing all the sterilising .. taking everything with you when you go out . .getting up in the middle of the night to fetch a bottle and heat it .. A breastfeeder has it all there. . no need for so much. You guys are troopers!! I complain about how much I need to take.. . couldnt imagine if I had to take bottles and asuch as well.

Breastfeeding may be best for bubs but it isnt always best for mums. There is mastitis. . sore and cracked nipples.. blocked ducts. . more frequent feeds. . daddy's that feel they miss out on something .. you get the idea . .2 sides to every story!!

Once more girlies :yelclap: :smiliedance: to you girls. You work hard to give your bubs the best you can and NO ONE can criticise you for doing that!!

[rubyredlips]

V refreshing! Short story: my rubes was breastfed til she was 4 months then she stopped putting on weight. We put her on Formula. She is now a fantastically healthy ALMOST 1 year old and has never had more than a slight runny nose!

You know whats best! :yes:

[Kizmet]

I am a mum who has only ever breast fed her mum and still do. But wanted to come in and give you guys my support as well. So no lynching me!!

I always read the debate threads and think to myself. . why does no one ever tell the other side of breastfeeding. . why does no one praise them for doing whats right for their baby .. it honestly infuriates me.

So here goes. .

I give you all a :yelclap: for choosing what is best for your bubs. There is 2 sides to every story. A mother does what she has to , to ensure the best for her bub, be it bottle or breast!!

Anyone who says bottle feeding is lazy . .O M G . .what morons. I give you guys another huge clap for doing all the sterilising .. taking everything with you when you go out . .getting up in the middle of the night to fetch a bottle and heat it .. A breastfeeder has it all there. . no need for so much. You guys are troopers!! I complain about how much I need to take.. . couldnt imagine if I had to take bottles and asuch as well.

Breastfeeding may be best for bubs but it isnt always best for mums. There is mastitis. . sore and cracked nipples.. blocked ducts. . more frequent feeds. . daddy's that feel they miss out on something .. you get the idea . .2 sides to every story!!

Once more girlies :yelclap: to you girls. You work hard to give your bubs the best you can and NO ONE can criticise you for doing that!!

:smiliedance: :hugs:

[Wish_Bear]

All, I'm new here and have not read all the posts in this thread but let me tell you my view on bottle feeding, the male/father view.

I watched my wife put herself through the wringer - twice. Together we machine pumped, hand expressed, syringe fed, finger fed, cup fed... we tried sheilds, tablets, drops, creams, vegetables, heat, ice and another dozen things that I've since forgotten about.

With both my daughters, my wife took herself to edge of sanity (maybe a bit further) in order to please an expectation of society. The first time went for 11 weeks! Simply, DD1 was starving.

I remember the stress in the house. I remember not enjoying having a new born in the house. I remember the "tutt tutts" from the NMA nurse and the so called breast feeding specialists each time we asked about other options.

I remember the relief I had both times when I was finally given the green light to buy a bottle. I remember being exhausted but watching them both sleeping soundly...

I understand women who insist on trying to breastfeed. I applaude a woman who puts her childs (and her own) well being ahead or a social stigma.

You'll know when enough is enough. It is your choice.

I have two beautiful daughters, they love both their mum and dad, they love cuddles, they have never had a serious illness (touch wood) and they were both bottle fed.

Enjoy your baby. Enjoy being a mother.

:smiliedance: :yelclap: :hugs: What a wonderful post, from one FF mum to you, a big THANKS!!!