Breast feeding or Formula!

[*The_Mrs.*]

So I thought it might be nice to take a little poll on here. Who is planning on breast feeding, and who is using formula. I have nothing against either, i just like to here peoples opinions on this matter.

P.S. I am breast feeding
WHY: I am a first time mother, and I have always wanted to try this. Besides the fact that it is great for the baby, i heard it has a great bonding experience.

Anyone Ever breast fed after a cesarean? Curious how that works too.

[Inertia]

I am very much hoping to establish bfing with my baby. I have tried every time and it never worked out well because of the HG. Proper nutition and hydration in the mother is vital - and I had nothing left by the time I delivered my babies.

Why?: Its what I am suposed to do! I carry my baby for 9 months, and then I feed my baby for at least a year as thats my bodies job! We are lucky today to have formula when we can't!

[Liz]

Breastfeeding, because of all the benefits for both mum & bub, for the convenience, and coz... well.. that's how we feed our babies. If my body can grow the baby, it can feed the baby.

Jessica, with wanting to breastfeed, I'd encourage you to find out everything you can about it in advance. Be prepared for all the ridiculous comments you may get, such as you're starving your baby at 2 days old coz your milk isn't in yet, or your milk mustn't be good enough if he's still waking at night.. etc etc etc.. so you can ignore them! Surround yourself with successful breastfeeders who can help you through the rough patches. It isn't always easy to breastfeed, but the hurdles can be got over with the right support. Best piece of advice I got, was only take breastfeeding advice from successful breastfeeders... and this includes midwives & lactation consultants!

I notice you're in Oregon.. I think it's Nursing Mothers Association or something over there? It'd be worth getting in touch with them while you're still pregnant. They would have the best support & advice for feeding after a c/s too.

All the best... and enjoy it!

[Serenitylee]

Breastfeeding, for all the reasons said above. I know some of the hurdles and pain that some women go through but I have been told If you are strong and determined to make it work then it will all be ok in the end.

I will be attending breastfeeding classes at 36 weeks at my Hospital.

[*The_Mrs.*]

Inertia- About the hydrating thing. Are you talking about during pregnancy? Is it best to keep yourself very hydrated and nutritioned. Does it help with breast-feeding?

Liz- I am very interested in this, and I think I might just take your advice on calling them. I love getting all the advice I can. I have read up a little bit so far, and I did read that sometimes it can take up to two days for your milk to come in. Its does sound bad, but is it true that newborns actually are not that hungry the first couple days anyways.

Anyways I hope I can get all this down!!
Thanks girls

[Maybebabie]

Intially breastfeeding but I know I will end up formula feeding when i return to work full time (about 7mths) and probably earlier if I have another lactose intolerant baby. So I am hoping for at least a combo of both.

I was so relieved about the change in dd after we went to formula as the stuff i was giving her during breasfeeding wasn't doing a good enough job. In hindsight I would have liked to breastfeed longer than the 5mths I did.

[Inertia]

Indeed Jessica. I mean you body can make it no matter what crap you eat - but it needs hydration, and my problem wasnt what I was eating. I simply couldn't keep anything down. Physically I was a wreck, but me and my body did the absolute best they could. It just wasn't to be because of the hyperemesis.

But when breastfeeding - drinking something like 6 cups of water a day is very important.

[Muffy]

I have done both with my kids.
Logan i BF until about 2 months...
Bella i BF for only 6 weeks and changed to formula but now i am re-lactating so i can BF again as i actually miss it.

[Liz]

I have read up a little bit so far, and I did read that sometimes it can take up to two days for your milk to come in. Its does sound bad, but is it true that newborns actually are not that hungry the first couple days anyways.

It can sometimes take up to 5 days for it come in. Newborns are born with fat-stores that they live off whilst drinking colostrum, and colostrum is so rich, they don't need that much of it in any one feed anyway.

As others have said, just keep putting bub to the boob. The baby sucking, and even the baby crying helps bring your milk in. The last thing you want to do when the nurses hound you about your 'hungry' baby in those first few days is give any top-ups, this takes the baby away from the breast, and your breasts need all the stimulation they can get to kick into gear.

[MantaRay]

Babies tummies can only hold about 5ml (not sure what that is in ounces, but we are talking a very small amount which can be given with a little syringe) anyway, so they definitely don't need milk in the first days. As Liz says, the colostrum is very high in both nutrients and antibodies - it contains everything your baby needs until your milk comes in.

C-sects can cause complications - sometimes it can delay your milk coming in. Also the drugs can make baby sleepy, and often you are separated from baby for a while, both of which can impact on the baby attaching well at first. If you have a c/s, if it is possible, try to have baby with you in recovery. Feeding within the first hour is ideal for establishing bfing. If you are planning a c/s or expecting to have to have one, joining La Leche League will be even more beneficial for you, so they can give you the information and support you need to overcome any issues. GL.

[vickey]

So I thought it might be nice to take a little poll on here. Who is planning on breast feeding, and who is using formula. I have nothing against either, i just like to here peoples opinions on this matter.

P.S. I am breast feeding
WHY: I am a first time mother, and I have always wanted to try this. Besides the fact that it is great for the baby, i heard it has a great bonding experience.

Anyone Ever breast fed after a cesarean? Curious how that works too.

hello yes i breast fed after a cesarean it takes abit longer for the milk to come in

[tellytubby]

Awww totally breastfeeding!!
I loved breastfeeding DD! so beautiful (and convenient!!) Pop out a boob and there's dinner! LOL! So easy!

DD was born and then i was rushed to theatre (had complications). I didn't get to see her for about 4 hours later, and i established breastfeeding fine! So not sure if thats like having a c-section?

Oh also - i didn't have a drop of milk when i was pregnant, totally dry! But yea - still no problems in the b/f area

[Sterla]

I had an emergency c/s and have been breastfeeding my DS for over 2 months now. There were a few early attachment issues, but I don't think that had anything to do with the c/s. The worst with the c/s was that I didn't get to hold bub until 2 hours after he was born so I missed out on that skin-to-skin contact straight after birth.
Also, my milk came in on Day 2, so no delay there with having a c/s.

[AwesomeFoursome]

Breastfeeding.

For all the reasons everyone else said.