Feeling a bit blah about my decision to bottle feed

[TillyG]

Hi girls

I went to a breast-feeding info session this morning (my midwife recommended I go and get the info at least and then make a decision) but I've come away from it feeling like if I don't breastfeed, I'm ruining my child's life and health .

Now, don't get me wrong, I've read all the literature, I've done my research, etc etc. But I just came away feeling like I'm going to be judged BIG-TIME if I choose to bottle-feed and it's made me feel really quite sad and angry.

I bottle-fed DD from the start as breastfeeding just wasn't working for us and I wasn't fussed *how* she fed, I just wanted her to feed.

I'm just worried I'm going to have trouble after the birth of this one with regards to my feeding choices.

I'm due to see my midwife in about 4 weeks and she's ever so nice but I just worry because if the other midwives on the ward are like the lady who led the session today, I'm just worried I'm in for a real "ear-bashing" from them :no:

Just so fed up

[Me]

hun it's a decision that only you can make. Don't do something you're not happy with just out of fear of being judged by other people who, TBH, will only be in your life for a few days after the birth.
:hugs:

[Bunnyhugs]

Do what's right for you and your family and tell any midwife on the ward to mind her own business if she says anything to you about it.

Have you considered expressing and feeding bub EBM from a bottle? My SIL did that from virtually day one and it worked wonderfully for her.

[mum2JB]

I had problems feeding my bub & I deceided to bottle feed at 6 weeks as he wasn't getting enough milk & I was totally worried about coping flak for it but most people where great of course there will always be the well meaning person who thinks its there duty to inform you that breast is best : ) but I would seriously consider bottle feeding again. Not only was my partner able to help with night feeds and me able to catch up on sleep but he was getting what he needed & bond with us both & we were happy! I'd say do whats right for you & Ignore people that want to
Criticize. I actually found once I had made up my mind to to continue & as soon as I said it my midwife was fine

[Cicho]

I Bottle fed both my babies and will be with the new one also. When I had my DD what I felt like were the "BFing police" telling me how hard done by my baby would be and how she would have allergies, asthma etc...

Don't let anyone pressure you into anything you don't want to do. This is your baby, not theirs.

Both my bottle fed babies turned out fine!

Do what you believe to be best for you :hugs:

[TillyG]

Thanks so much girls, your replies have really cheered me up :yes:

DH has just phoned me (as I had sent him a text full of lots of swearing LOL) and reminded me that the midwives were like that in the UK too (really pushing the breast-is-best angle) but that when it came down to it, once I decided to bottle feed they rallied around and helped out.

I guess I'm just a bit anxious about the whole birth/newborn thing anyway so feeling a bit worried about everything.

As for expressing, last time around I could not get a single drop out... I tried so hard but it just wasn't coming. Which is why, about 16 hours after giving birth I finally turned to the midwife and said "please, just give me a bottle!". Fortunately, at that hospital they had little 50ml bottles of ready-made formula that you just took the lid off and popped a teat on (or used a spoon or syringe if you wanted).

I know that this time, I need to go in with my sterilised bottles and just go from there with it really. Will talk to my m/w about what I need to bring in when I see her next.

Thanks again

xxx

[chaiseandlarasmummy]

Reading your posts made me so mad that you feel terrible for the decision that only you need to make. It's a stupid debate that has just become way out of hand. So long as bub is getting fed it shouldn't matter how they are being fed.

Try to forget what everyone else says and do what you think is best for you and your baby. Don't worry about the midwives, i think most would be understanding. You do not need to explain yourself to them anyway this is YOUR baby plus you'll only be in hospital for a week, then wont have to deal with them anymore.

Just on another note, my sister was ff. Or worse carnation milk fed. She is now 30, a doctor and has had no health problems not as a child either. She is also one of these very lucky people who can eat anything and not put on any weight. Shouldn't she be under achieving, overweight with health issues? Or thats what they want us to think will happen to our ff bubs.

I am actually bf my dd2 and am enjoying it but honestly there have been no difference in my 2 girls as yet (dd1 was ff) they've had the same amount of illnesses are developing at the same rate. Maybe i'm just lucky.

Don't feel bad about whatever you decide.