Is that the only reason why you would FF from birth? It might not be like that this time round. Anyway, it's up to you hun and only you can make that decision. I had to FF my last one when he was a few days old as I had no milk and he was getting dehydrated. I have no idea why it never came in though when it did with the others. As for guilt, I don't hold any guilt this time as it was completely out of my hands, so it wasn't a choice I made to go to FF. And as for everyone else's opinion, well that doesn't matter either because it wont matter which one you do there will still be people who say you should be doing the other.
I never breastfed. It was just something I knew I didnt want to do. It was hard when I was pregnant because I copped alot of negativity about it and I don't think anyone had a right to stick their nose in. Fair enough to say how good breastfeeding is but its your body and your the mumma. Formula is fine for babies and I have never heard anything go wrong with it aside from if you need to switch. And you know that your bubba is getting everything he or she needs in each bottle.
So no I dont feel guilty although for the first few days when I was emmotional and tired I did a little but mostly only because of what others had said and made me feel like I wasnt going to be a good enough mum.
I lost the weight easily enough and like someone above said - a little more
Sam, I agree, people make you feel so bad for not BF'ing. I never once felt any guilt, my DD is so healthy and happy, that's all that matters to me! No way I was ending up with PND because I couldn't breasfeed!! Bottle was fine and kept me and Bubs happy
^ I know , its horrible the way some people will look at you for not Breastfeeding! Someone actually told me my daughter would die if I formula fed. Its rediculous and ovbessly when your pregnant you need as much support as you can get rather then other mums looking down on you
My daughter has never had a problem either , shes a very happy and healthy little girl
DD was on formula "top ups" in the hospital after she was born as it seemed nothing was coming out of my breasts. So she stayed on formula from day 1.
DS went onto formula on day 1 aswell due to not attatching well an hour after birth, none of the midwives helped me when I told them he didnt seem to be interested, they just told me where to find the bottles (I'm still quite peeved about that) as it turned out I would have been able to feed this time, I expressed a little on day 5 but he was used to the bottle & refused to attatch so he's continuing on formula.
With DD by the time I got home from hospital (Day 5) I had lost all pregnancy weight plus an extra 2kg.
With DS by the time I got home from hospital (Day3) I had lost all pregnancy weight plus an extra 5kg. Unfortunately I have been "eating for 2 since LOL & have put a kilo back on but it looks more like 5kg! Very frustrating!!
So it very much depends on the person, I lost the weight with no worries but my friend who breastfed still couldn't lose hers over a year after the birth of her DD.
With DD I didnt feel guilty about formula feeding as I thought it was my only option (others did a good job of trying to make me feel guilty alot though)
With DS I have felt guilty because I wish I had of tried harder in the hospital & got the staff to help me, I know I could have fed him if I had of presevered (sp?)
I say do what you feel is right for YOU. Everyone is different & sometimes the stress of trying to breastfeed can take over when the baby will be perfectly healthy being on formula from day one (My children are living proof of that!)
As a b/f mum - I still struggled to lose weight inbetween bubs anyway, that's the way my body works boooohooooo ....
Also, IMO each b/f relationship is different with each child. My sister FF both her kids from a week old and although we had different views, I could see how heartbreakingit was for her to keep trying to B/F - lots of things contributed. SO instead I just shut-up and supported her - which is what good friends/family should do!
As long as YOU are comfortable with the decision you make, try not to weigh in on what other people say.
Wishing you sooo much good luck for the coming weeks and can't wait to see your BA!
Leigh- Your story sounds very similar to my Mum's. She tried bfing me from birth but had a low supply and we had all sorts of dramas. Long story short, she ended up bottlefeeding me from 2 weeks and she thinks it was the best thing she has ever done. I do have ezcema and hayfever but who knows if that has anything to do with her not breastfeeding me. My Mum bottlefed my 2 younger brothers from birth and they are the healthiest, happiest kids.
It is completely up to you hun and noone but you can make this decision. You need to do what you are comfortable with. Make sure you take your bottles and formula to hospital so you're all prepared. You never know you may change your mind once there. Whatever decision you make will be the right one for you.
I have low supply too, it is a struggle
Registered User
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks