Is this ok?

[Beck17]

Hello to all mummy's and mummy's to be!
I know breastfeeding is good for bubs, but I was just wondering if I bought a milk expressing machine, would it be ok to just bottle feed bubs that way? This is my first bubs, but I would feel more comfortable bottle feeding bubby, but still with breastmilk of course because I know it's good for bubby. I've thought about breastfeeding over & over again. I'm willing to try, but I know I'd feel more comfortable bottle feeding. Is there anything wrong with that? My fiance said it's fine that way, but I'd really like some reassurance from you ladies. Has anyone else wanted to do the same??
Beck

[Miss_Vicki]

i bf with my first an didnt have much luck , an didnt help her lower jaw was so narrow an was hard to latch . but anyways

for the 2nd one ive decied im goin to Express an goin to get my self a electrc pump an switch bettween bottle an boob

do whats Best for your self U will know
is there any reason particualr u dont wants bub sucking on your boob? (hope u not offened )

when i told the hospital i was breast feedin they Made me breast feed in hospital an wouldnt let me leave to did it right :O
snickers little did they know bf was helpin me to get her on :O

[Ana Gram]

I expressed bottle fed my daughter till my milk dried up 6 weeks later. I personnally don't see the drama with it as the baby is still getting breast milk and the added bonus of it can be a shared responsibility and you can get some much needed sleep. I suggest you go for the electric pumps rather than the hand pump as you will get RSI very quickly with the hand pump.

[Zan]

Hi, yes it is an option, but a very time consuming one and unlikely to succeed for the longer term (though I do know someone who did it for 6 months, but she did find it very binding).
Have you considered trying to breastfeed and then if you don't feel comfortable expressing and giving a bottle at the times when you don't feel comfortable?
A few other things to consider
1. a lot of people find it impossible or very very hard to express.
2. a baby will extract far more milk than any pump can.
3. Mixed feeding (bottle and breast) early on in the breastfeeding relationship can cause nipple confusion/bottle preference (it's easier for bubs) problems.
I guess it depends on how much you want your baby to get breastmilk, how you feel after the birth, how easy you find it, etc. Just to say don't rule anything out, or get to set on a single mode of feeding until you see how you feel.
Regards
Zan

[Briannabear]

Only you know what your comfort levels are, therefore only you can decide how to feed your baby.
I dont believe theres a right or wrong way to feed your bub. As long as they are getting their nutrients and are growing well it doesnt matter how you get them there! :rolleyes:
I personally have successfully breastfed for 6 months now, and Im planning to continue for a while yet.

I had concerns when I was pregnant as to whether I would be able to do it. I am very fair skinned and extreemly sensitive. My skin reacts to everything, and my nipples have always been ultra sensitive too. I thought that it would be too painful to actually breastfeed; so I decided to give it a go, and if neccesary Id switch to the bottle.
I must admit it was a bit awkward for the first few weeks, but once I got the hang of it there was no worries. I actually really enjoy breastfeeding my baby. (and lets face it, theres less cleaning up to do!). :)

However, its your choice, and you shouldnt let anyone else sway your decision either way! Stand firm in whatever you choose to do.

Good Luck!! :D

[suziebear]

Hi,
The nurses in hospital helped me starting to express my milk when my son was just 10 hours old as I did not want to breast feed but wanted my son to get breast milk. There are a few machines on the market and all different so I would not head out and buy one til you know which suits your needs. I hired one and you find many of the larger chemist hire the machines out and you just purchase the attachments pack (ie all tubes and bottkles that your milk travels through) which you keep. Hiring the machine worked out alot more cost effective for myself. I expressed for two months and at my ped appointment the doctor advised that my son was perfectly happy and healthy (and very much growing strongly) and had all the benifit of the "early" breast milk and would then be fine to put on formula. We did this and have never looked back. He is a happy and healthy little 6 month old and had the benifit of breast milk and I had the benefit of his father/friends etc being able to give him a bottle for me to do other things or catch up on some needed rest.

Good luck. If you would like any more info please just pm me.

[madvoice]

For the first 6 weeks I combined expressed breastmilk in bottle with breast. There was no nipple confusion for Raleigh and it helped me get some much needed sleep because hubby or my mother (who was here for a month) could help out when need be. I still express some (don't get as much out as I previously did but I think that's because I've cut back on expressing) to save and freeze just in case.

If it works for you, then by all means have a go :D

[dee dee]

Hey Beck17,

When my dd was born I began by breastfeeding her, but we had a few problems so we stopped. Like you I was still keen for her to have breastmilk, so I decided to express. I started expressing while in the hospital with one of their electric pumps, and as soon as I got home from the hospital i hired one from a company called medi rent. I highly recommend getting an electric pump over a manual one, as they can become very very tiring.

I had no problems with milk supply and was able to express enough milk to meet my daughters needs. The only thing with expessing is that it is time consuming and can use up a lot of your free time. I expressed and fed my daughter breastmilk exclusively for 3 months. After discussion with my paediatrician he suggested that it would be fine for my daughter to gradually switch to formula as she had received lots of benefits from drinking ebm for her first three months.

Dont let others make you feel bad about your decision. Midwives in the hospital will never tell you this but breastfeeding is definitely not easy, and not everyone takes to it like a duck to water. I say there is nothing at all wrong with expressing, and go for it!! Good luck

[Beck17]

Thanks everyone for your advice & help. I've decided I'm going to do what I feel comfortable with & I'm sure bubby will love me all the same. But thanks again for your help:)

[reflect169]

so, what are u deciding to do then honey???

i was also going to express, though i was ging to do it, so my man could get up at night and feed, as well as me!

love ami xxx

p.s. how far along are you now? :p