Breast or Bottle?

[Moops]

Just wondering if the first time mummies have thought about if they will breastfeed or bottlefeed? I was never really keen on the idea of breastfeeding but I'm definently coming around to the idea.

Was also wanting to hear any thoughts/experiences from those experienced mummies out there!!

[bronny-jane]

i think bf is great... i only bf dd3 for 2 weeks, and gave up and i missed it:crying:

no sterilizing bottles, if theres a black out you dont have to worry about how to warm the bottle...and breast milk is the only thing in the world that you cant buy...ok well you probably could:D

[goose]

I breastfed Jacob for 4 months till i lost my milk and will be BF this time around also..

I am more equip with information also if my milk supply should dwindle and i hope to BF for longer.

Im already excited about these lactation cookies ive heard so much about.. They sound yum.. ;)

[Sandra/Paul]

I am a new 1st time mum and I am breast feeding.

I have had a few problems here and there but we are definitely getting on top of things. I also express into a bottle and give William breast milk that way too.

Im hoping to continue for a long time yet....I am on the cookies.....unsure if they are working, I did manage to express 100ml from the side that only usually provides about 25ml but that was only 1 time. I dont think I used enough brewers yeast in my cookies.....but just about ready for round 2 of cookie making.

Ive always thought that breast is best. Its all natural and if your bub has yukky eyes or noses, you squirt in the breast milk and whammo all fixed....so much better than those horrid chemicals.

Good luck on your choice :)

[mim_adam]

I breast fed adam till he was 14 months old. It wasnt smooth sailingat the beginning with get him attached and knowing if he was on right but am glad the perservered cause i miss it now. Its a little sad knowing i will never breast feed adam again. However i am glad i have given my boobs a little rest before the next one arrives.

[Rianna]

This will be my first bub and I am really keen to give breastfeeding a go, I just really like the idea of it. Hopefully I won't havetoo many problems but I guess you never know til you get there.

[Toffee apple]

With DD BF & used nipple sheilds ( latching on problems ) & used EBM so when i wasn't BF i was using my trusty pump ,so it seemed, i always had a feeling it wasn't going to be easy & i remember seeing mums just be able to "plonk" their baby on the breast & away they would go ,& i wished it was that easy for my , then almost overnight when DD was about 5 months old there was no more need for the sheilds :smiliedance: & life became alot easier ,i turned into one of those just "plonk my baby on the breast !
I went on to BF till DD was 13 months & unlike most mums i really couldn't wait to stop :o ,& i feel like i am the only bf mum in the world that never really enjoyed doing it , but i feel that breast is best too & that was the path we took ,i am proud of myself & dd for sticking it out ,cause in the begining there seemed no hope of making it past the 12 month mark.
I found their to be so much help out there as well & the Australian Breastfeeding Asoc has GREAT info on their site.

[Lozie]

Breastfeeding for me! Done it twice and i will again! it's just soo much easier, dont have to get up at night to get the bottle and dont have to clean bottles, plus all the special time with bubs i love Breastfeeding! I Bf for 3 months with Jacy but my milk kinda dryed cause MIL was sneeking him bottles:mad: and caleb til he was 7 months after that he was draining me too much plus he would feed for an hour each side so i thought time to give it away. This time i plan to go as long as i can:D

[Vespera]

Breatfeeding for me too and hopefully for as long as possible.

Found out the other day that my mum breastfed me til 18 months - thanks mum!

[Kizmet]

we will give breast feeding another red hot go but this time i wont make myself feel horrendously guilty if it doesnt work out. I had an interesting breastfeeding experience last time and ended up having to switch dd to formula. She thrived on it and we had a great feeding relationsip and still bonded very well:thumbsup:

[Rainbowbrite]

Breast all the way here :D Still feeding MJ who turned 2 last week!!

Wasn't easy though, believe me. Was in agonising pain, used to cry everytime I fed her, used nipple sheilds etc. But that said, we can go out for the first 6+ months with nothing but a clean nappy :D

I plan to feed this bub for as long as he/she wants, just like MJ :yes:

[EcstaticEm]

Definately want to try breast feeding. Am hoping Beany is a good feeder:yes:

[Hoping]

I'd love to bf if I can. Don't know if my little boobies will be able to produce milk yet but I am hoping to be able to bf bub#1 for 6 months if I can. Although I have heard that it can be quite hard and that it can make you quite sore as well.

Crossing my fingers that bub#1 will latch on quite quickly like my friend's bub. It started feeding as soon as it was placed on her chest after delivery!!!

[stellarella]

Just wanted to say congratulations ladies and good luck (to those of you hoping to BF) on your BFing journey :yelclap:

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is a wonderful resource. They can help you with your BFing goals and help dispel any myths (which you will be faced with frequently).

The vast majority of woman are perfectly capable of BFing if they have access to the right support. It is extremely rare to encounter insurmountable BFing challenges...most will just require a bit of faith in your body and that of your new born babies.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is - Don't have a tin of formula in the house 'just in case'...Do expect it to be difficult in the beginning...Don't worry if your baby wants to feed every 20 mins for the first 6 weeks of its life :D

And please seek help if you need it! :wave:

[goose]

I'd love to bf if I can. Don't know if my little boobies will be able to produce milk yet but I am hoping to be able to bf bub#1 for 6 months if I can. Although I have heard that it can be quite hard and that it can make you quite sore as well.

Crossing my fingers that bub#1 will latch on quite quickly like my friend's bub. It started feeding as soon as it was placed on her chest after delivery!!!

If my little boobies can produce milk im very sure yours can too.. :o

Size of (.)(.)'s doesnt matter so dont worry about it.. ;)

[Kittylou]

I'm definitely hoping to breastfeed this time. I had a lot of problems with DS and ended up giving up after a week because I was just completely overwhelmed and stressed out by it all and crying all the time. I'm hoping that this time, with the benefit of experience, I'll be a much more relaxed mother and be able to persevere.

[mama hen]

I'll be breastfeeding this time around as well. My DD did not want to latch for the first 10 days ... so expressed and perserved and we got there on the night of Day 10.

It was well worth it for the 4 months that I did it for. I gave up in the end due to several painful bouts of mastodis (sp?).

But now wish that I had continued as I do beleive that breast is best ... not to mention much cheaper and easier.

[vespertine]

I breastfed my first until he self-weaned at 16 months. I did have sore nipples in the beginning, but persevered. I didn't let formula enter my head, I decided it just wasn't an option for us. After we got past the initial hiccups, everything went beautifully! The way he would grunt whilst feeding, and pat my boob with his tiny hand, and the way his eyes would go sleepy in bliss., how eagerly they go for the boob after a sleep. It's so cute! We had a fantastic boobing relationship and I was really sad when it ended. Can't wait to breastfeed next time too.

[pookiesossige]

Wasn't easy though, believe me. Was in agonising pain, used to cry everytime I fed her, used nipple sheilds etc. But that said, we can go out for the first 6+ months with nothing but a clean nappy :D

The first month of both my babies was just like this- I had to decide to either give up or perservere. I had decided to give up with DD after 4 weeks- the pain made my toes curl over every time. But then a few days later, you know what? I got to the end of the day and then wham :idea: it dawned on me that I had gone through an entire day's feeding without pain!! And it never was painful again :smiliedance:

I LOVE being able to grab the nappy bag and head out the door without bottles etc. I'm way to lazy for that :laughing:

One more thing- there's a couple of things that I think are super important to know: Mastitus- any flu-like feelings while breastfeeding usually indicate the start of Mastitis. DON'T STOP FEEDING. Get to a doctor and feed feed feed to keep those boobies drained and comfortable.

The other thing is to ignore all the cr@p out there about feeding schedules- some people try to stretch out the time between feeds even when their babies are still very young... My feelings are not to bother. Make it an easy, stress-free time for yourself by just feeding whenever bub starts to grizzle or become unsettled. I got to 6 months with Ariene and realised that she had never really cried much at all- I didn't know what it really sounded like!. Unlike DS whom I was a bit more easily influenced with when it came to these things.

[Rainbowbrite]

I was the same re feeding. MJ fed approx 3 hourly day & night till she was about 10months old. Just feed them when they want it, no science to it what-so-ever.

[Milliner]

BF all the way!!! BF DS till I fell preg and he was 13 months, I hope to BF longer this time.

[Moops]

Is it ok if I ask a really vain question? I don't really have anyone else to ask that is why I have posted it.

Not that it is going to affect my decision as to whether I breastfeed or not but does bf make your boobs saggy/flat/small? Or does this just happen anyway when pg?

Sorry for being ignorant!

[Kyahli]

ok i have ALWAYS been flat chested, i mean, cant fill a A cup!!! preg with #1 i went up to a C cup, went back to flat chested when i had finished breastfeeding at about 6 months... have lovely stretchies on (*)(*)!!! werent saggy or anything though i was only 18 too!!
now, with #2 i already gone to a C cup and investing in more bras!!!
hope to breastfeed, though i would like to express so that others can feed as well and so i can bf longer if possible...

[Rainbowbrite]

Mine have stayed the same, sag wise :p I'm between a DD & F though.

[stellarella]

I have very small, round, perky boobs....they got huge when DS was first born, I seriously looked like I had a boob job, they were round and massive:eek: ...they have gone back to normal now. Although I can't say they have not been affected at all because I have not finished BFing but they are still as perky as ever.

It has more to do with genes whether or not your boobs will sag.

My mum BFed 2 children, me til I was 2 and my brother til he was 1 1/2 and she was a total hippy, never wore a bra. She is now 44 and she has beautiful, perky boobs.

My cousin hasn't even had children and she is only 26, her boobs are like 2 bags of skin.

[Lozie]

I have saggy baggy nana boobs:o:laughing: They have always been like that i am a full C, but when i pg they get beauiful :D i dont wear bras unless i'm going out so i have no support for 'em poor things, When i stop Bfing they do got a bit baggier but only till things go back to normal. Or maybe i stop noticing:rolleyes: Just wear really supportive bra's and u should be fine.

[vespertine]

My boobs are exactly the same as they were before I fell pregnant (well, if there is any sagginess, it's so minimal I can't tell!), and I fed my boy until he was 16 months and self weaned. :D

[AliyahBlake]

I breastfed Aliyah with very few problems (she basically latched on after birth and taught me how to do it!! The midwives thought she was my second baby, not my first!) - I had the sore and cracked nipples for about the first 2 weeks, but once I got through that, I fed her for 6 months. I would have done it longer, but had to go back to work and was unable to successfully express, so then changed her to formula.
I think I was luckier than most as not everyone is successful with breastfeeding. I just think that if you want to do it, give it your best shot, don't let cracked nipples turn you off as they will get better (try Lasinoh ointment - it works a dream!!), and don't feel like a failure or guilty if you can't do it. I certainly recommend breastfeeding to everyone as it was a beautiful experience in my eyes, but in the end do what is best for yourself and your baby - do what causes less hassle and stress! :)
As for the changing of boobs, mine were a B cup before I had Aliyah, went to a nice C cup while breastfeeding, and are now a B cup again. The shape of them has changed - I wouldn't say they're saggy, but they're certainly not as pert as before. I still think they're ok though, but we'll see what the next bub does to them! I have noticed that one is slightly smaller than the other since breastfeeding, which I've been told is quite common.

[Shana]

I seem to be going against the thread here . . but while I will start on BF for the colostrum, I don't intend to stay with it long. BF just doesn't appeal to me. I know a lady who BF her son for just over two years and I never thougth anything of it until he was big enough to a) push up her shirt and search for her bb himself and b) get off her lap and stand there still sucking away . . . . that just changed my image of b'feeding forever. I thought - nup, BF is for infants not children. So I think that just turned me off. Plus the other thing I've seen women do is put thier child on thier bb whenever they grizzle or cry - yes it keeps them quiet, but what if they are tired, uncomfortable, over stimulated, need soothing - not hungry? With formula you know how much they've eaten and when so you can better judge is if they are hungry again or look for other upset causes. I have seen children also who keep vomiting up breast milk after every feed b/c they simply get fed too much and thier stomach can't take it all.
I am not against bf at all - just not for me.
Personally I have no problem with formula. I do not know of any child that hasn't grown into an perfectly healthy adult (or has not been a healthy child) due to formula.
I'm a bit mad at the whole 'breast is best' slogan that put's down formula feeding. Just like all the other debates - it's what ever works for the mum and bub, hey? And I don't see the point of being stressed over one or the other as long as baby is getting nutrition and thrives.

[Rainbowbrite]

As someone who breastfeeds a two year old, can I just say that not all 2 yr olds are like that. As for this part of your post Plus the other thing I've seen women do is put thier child on thier bb whenever they grizzle or cry - yes it keeps them quiet, but what if they are tired, uncomfortable, over stimulated, need soothing - not hungry?

The whole point of bf is IT IS a soothing tool. It is used, alot of the time, instead of a dummy.

Also, this part With formula you know how much they've eaten and when so you can better judge is if they are hungry again or look for other upset causes. I have seen children also who keep vomiting up breast milk after every feed b/c they simply get fed too much and thier stomach can't take it all.

I've seen many more formula fed babies throw up after every feed than breastfed. A baby will only take as much as they want, wether it is breast or bottle. Just because they are sick, its not alway s because they have fed too much, maybe they have reflux???

Just another
I do not know of any child that hasn't grown into an perfectly healthy adult (or has not been a healthy child) due to formula. I know of a few kids that have had bad reactions to formula & have alot of allergies taht are thought to be caused by the formula they were given.

Anyway, didn't mean to pick your post appart, I apologise for that. I didn't like the idea of bf either UNTILL I realised that it was wonderful for soothing a tired, upset baby, its not just there for hunger.

[Lozie]

I agree RB, I think it would be a little norrow minded to sit back and say that when u havnt tryed it. All babies/children are different and to put it down to "I seen some else who done this" is silly, you are going to Bf for the colostrum, but when your milk comes in u might like Bf'ing? U dont have to Bf until the baby is 2yrs you can stop whenever you want, Just keep an open mind hun :yes:.

Fair enough u can see how much fomula baby has had but as RB said baby will let you know when they have had enough, not throw it up because they've had too much, baby might have reflux or is just a pukey baby, my Ds1 was even when i started him on formula. Get some more info on both before u make a choice.:)

[Shana]

I know all those things can be related to formula fed babies too, I did not mean to imply that formula is the miracle solution to those things, just that I would feel more in control being able to measure how much food they get. I guess my experience as an observer just hasn't endeared bf to me.
I'm a little confused to the bf as a soothing tool . . . .I completely understand the sucking/cuddling etc will sooth the baby, that I get, but they are feeding at the same time . . . so are they not being encouraged to eat as the solution to all problems? Genuine question there - not critisism. I guess I liken it to if you gave them a bottle every time they cry . . . sure it may sooth them but they aren't hungry every time they cry so it's not necessarily addressing what's wrong - do you know what I mean?
And yes, I also know you need the right formula for the child - but that's not the fault of choosing to bottle feed . . . you don't continue to give a child the wrong formula.
I guess my main point is: some women cannot bf and I think it's wrong to make them feel like they are a failure for needing formula. I know many many women who have used formula with no adverse reaction from the child. I just think it's not the big baddie that a lot of ladies like to make out it is.
I'm not trying to stir anyone up here . . . just advocating formula for those who don't mind it or need it. :)

[goose]

I guess my main point is: some women cannot bf and I think it's wrong to make them feel like they are a failure for needing formula.

Were not making anyone feel like a failure.. Nor would we.. :no:

This thread is about which we choose to do when our baby is born..

But yes things may happen and if for whatever reason some of us were unable to B/F then obviously we would bottle feed and i can guarantee you none of the fellow November mummies would criticise or make that person feel like a failure.. We would commend them for doing the best thing for there baby and encourage them..

I would think it was great that they tryed to b/f and commend them on the effort.. :yelclap:

We all know that breast is best right.. But yes formula these days is a great alternative..

I think some people get uppity when someone makes an uniformed decision on the two choices for there baby..

But as long as you do the research and do the best thing for your baby by making an informed decision then thats all that matters..

;)

ETA
You dont seem to be on our due dates list for november.. Would you like me to add you?? What date are you due??

[Shana]

Yes please, I'm due Nov 29. Thankyou.

I appologise - I seem to have been on the defensive about this and I don't mean to be. I mean absolutely no offence to anyone. This is my first pg and of course I have a lot to learn. I guess I just wanted to give voice to those who choose bottle. The majority of mum's in my circle of friends have chosen a combination of breast (if they can) and bottle and rave about formula. I have just personally seen a lot of very happy mums and babies on formula. I also like the idea of bottle b/c dad can feed baby too and for me, this is important that dad can be involved in this way.
I am in no way against bf, and not ignorant to it's benefits, I'm just don't want to tell myself I must bf and put that pressure on myself. I am open to what will work and be the least stressful for both. There are so many things to think about and deal with when you have a new born - and being a first time mum. I think I just don't like the pressure I'm feeling to do things certain ways . . . tell you what -pregnancy has brought out the stuborn, territorial, opinionated side of me I didn't know was there!!! What is that? :)

[goose]

You dont need to apologise shana.. :hugs:

There may be people who judge you for choosing to bottle feed your baby, but i assure you it wont be us november mums.. :hugs:

And your right there are many happy mums and babys who are happy and healthy on formula..(My son was b/f till 4 months but was then on formula and is very happy and healthy..)

Its a shame that its an added pressure in a negative way on mums esp first time mums but dont worry we are a supportive bunch here.. ;)

And be warned.. Pregnancy brings out plenty of sides and opinions you never knew were there..
We dont think your stubborn.. Just hormonal like the rest of us.. :laughing:

Do what you feel is best for your baby and your family and all is well.


Kristy

Be sure to join us in the Whats going on chat thread too.. Although be warned we do tend to gossip on a little bit..

[melbryan]

I have always chose to breastfeed but in the end I have always tried anything to have a settled baby which has always lead me in my experience to formula.All my babies have had reflux. I would never judge another mum for what they do but I expect not to be judged in return. Both my babies were breast fed for close to 6 weeks -3mths. I would do the same this time round if it helped. I don't like entering the for and against of breast or bottle I just think everyone is entitled to do what they want. I am sure no one will be asking my sons' whether they were Bottle or breast and it might hinder them from getting a job. In the whole scheme of things things I guess it's just not that bigger deal to me.

[Rainbowbrite]

I'm a little confused to the bf as a soothing tool . . . .I completely understand the sucking/cuddling etc will sooth the baby, that I get, but they are feeding at the same time . . . so are they not being encouraged to eat as the solution to all problems? Genuine question there - not critisism.

I'm sorry Shana :hugs: I was posting in a hurry this morning, no hard feelings :hugs:

As I said, I really didn't like the idea of bf when I was pg with my now 2yr old daughter. But gave it a go and with many tears shed, blood, cracked nipples etc, we soldiered on & am still feeding 2 yrs on. She only feeds at night now or if she is sick or upset.

On to the soothing, bub learns to suck both to get milk & not to get milk. They have to suck a certain way in order to cause the milk to let down. Even now my daughter will sometimes just suck if she is upset etc, but doesn't actually get any milk. Its hard to explain. But unlike a bottle, milk doesn't just come out when its touched.

Welcome to the november threads :hugs: I'm due on about the 21st so we will chat some more in the future :)

[Nan]

Hey RB! :wave: Another genuine question from me!! I BFed DD until she was 16 months and I found out I was preg as I wanted to give my boobs a rest!! lol My doctor told me it was a good choice because as soon as you get preg your milk turns back to colostrum anyway. Would it bother you that MJ is only getting colostrum? When I heard that I just thought "I guess she can come off then" because I knew she only wanted it for comfort & we now have other ways that I comfort her. She quite often will suck her fingers and put her hand or head on my boobs!!
Don't take this the wrong way but what if MJ still wants boobies when she goes to school? I'm not being rude...honest....just genuinely wanting to know what you'd do. *nods*

Back to the OP.....as you can see I will be BFing this time around too.

[Rainbowbrite]

No problem Nan, glad to help.

MJ only feeds at night before bed & if she isn't well. I don't think there is much there at all either, but she eats well otherwise so it really doesn't bother me if its just colostrum. Funnily enough, my doctor couldn't give me a good enough reason to stop bf, other than it may make me very tired, which seeing as its only once a day it doesn't.

I always thought that the milk turned to colostrum around 20 weeks though. But again, it has changed, MJ will tell you that :p She tells me every night, started a few weeks ago, that my milk is now "yummy milk" so it most certainly has changed, just not enough for her to want to stop.

As for feeding her when she goes to school, I don't think I could do it. I'd ideally like her to stop by the time she is 3. I'm not offering the breast anymore, she just asks for it, its part of her night time routine. I'm actually kind of looking forward to feeding both her and the bub. I just figure if I get engorged & bub has had enough, she may help me ease the pain.

MJ almost didn't have a feed the other night & it honestly upset me a little bit. I love cuddling up on the lounge with her before she goes to bed while she feeds. Though if she decided to stop feeding today I wouldn't really complain iykwim. It is the only thing that we have left that we have had since day 1. She is growing up so fast, she's 2yrs old, toilet trained, sleeps in a big bed in her own room (used to co-sleep) etc. Its like the only thing still connecting us together.

Sorry to ramble on, I hope that makes sense :o