FF as a lifestyle decision?

[~Belinda~]

Sasa, not at all! I think it's great you continue your BF journey. Who am I to judge what you have gone through? It's not like I can say "keep trying to BF, it's worth it at the end of the day!" because I have heard heaps of women perservere and come out at the end so happy that they did keep it up!

For me, my milk went out and Madeleine just seemed to not be getting enough. My nipples were so sore and I was crying at every feed. Even with support from an LC and everyone around me, I was scared of getting depressed! And I was someone who didn't even get the baby blues in hospital, even though all the midwives told me I would!!! I hated that.

So good on you for BF'ing, well done, no offence taken at all, was just explaining I guess that all Bubs are different and it didn't bother me at all to make up bottles or FF my DD. I am so glad I made that decision. I bet if I did keep up the BF'ing, I would be saying how awesome that is!!! I bet!

Take care, Love Belinda

[amberj]

Wow, I can't beleive how many replies my thread has generated!

I just wanted to give an update, now that I have had my baby and he is 3 weeks old. I started off BFing and had lots of problems with it- nothing insurmountable, but my baby was quite jaundiced, and very big (4.2kg) and I had LOTS of complications with birth, so trying to persist through the BF problems to get him enough to eat was not something I could deal with. I started expressing and continue to, but we suppliment with formula, and my supply is dwindling, so he is largely formula fed now, with whatever breastmilk I can make as well.

FF is working well for all of us- my DH loves being able to feed Peter and we can share nighttime feeds. Peter doesn't seem to notice any difference between breastmilk and formula and is gaining weight and eating well. He does have a cold, but that could have happened either way, I guess.

From the "other side" I feel both more and less guilty about FFing than I thought I would. I care less about other people's opinions and am only concerned about what is right and best for my baby. Any guilt I feel is not about what other's think, but about hoping I am doing the right thing for Peter.

Just wanted to share a quick update in case anyone is trying to make a similar decision. My baby, myself and my husband are all happy- it hasn't been easy and not without some guilt, but I still think we are in a good place.

[Arimeh]

That sounds fantastic Jessica - congrats again on your little boy

And I'm pretty sure I'll end up FF this one as well - my DH just loves the closeness as well!!!!

[M22]

amber- that is brilliant

i agree with waht you've said- bottom line is you have to be happy and confident with your decision and that is what makes a happy mummy!!

congrats on baby Peter!!

[M22]

amber- that is brilliant

i agree with what you've said- bottom line is you have to be happy and confident with your decision and that is what makes a happy mummy!!

congrats on baby Peter!!

[myboysmumma]

amber- that is brilliant

i agree with what you've said- bottom line is you have to be happy and confident with your decision and that is what makes a happy mummy!!

congrats on baby Peter!!

exactly