Formula Feeding vs. Breast Feeding vs. Mixture

I'm really stuck on what to do when it comes to feeding Drew. I participate with WIC who obviously pushes breastfeeding hardcore - so I've been reading up on that. And I'm fully aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. At the same time - the women in my family often have a hard time breastfeeding (my mother couldn't do it, my aunt couldn't do it, both of my cousins couldn't do it) so I'm scared that I might not be able to either. Not being able to breastfeed put my cousin into a big bout of PPD because she felt like she failed her little boy. Now I spoke with the woman at WIC in regards to doing a mixture of breastfeeding and formula feeding and she said that any amount of breastfeeding is worth it.

So my question is - what are your opinions on a mixture feeding? Also - for those that breastfeed - did you pump so that "Daddy" could also do feedings? I guess I'm just confused as to how it's all going to work since I will be returning to work promply after 6 weeks and SO will be left with Drew during the day.

Hopefully this made sense

Hi there, first of all......try not to think about how it didn't work for other members of your family. My mom didn't breastfeed any of us, my sister didn't, none of my nieces did. I was the only one in the family to nurse all 5 of my kids.  Just like we take on a lot of the traits and practices of our families, we tend to follow their advice or their experience.

"Back then", there were no BF coaches, lactation consultants, etc. like there are today to help you right in the hospital. I say that if you're interested - and you're certainly educated in the benefits of BF, GO FOR IT.  Give it a try and have confidence. It's not an *easy* thing to do for a lot of women, including me in the beginning. I had supply issue with all 5. With that said, I think it's perfectly fine to mix formula and BM feedings after your supply is well established. The more you nurse, the more you produce.

I ended up supplementing my kidlings for the supply reason and so that my husband or kids could feed the baby as well. Good luck! You can do it!

You sound a bit like me. I want to BF but I am pretty posative it isn't going to work out, but I plan to try. I too will be returning to work at 6 weeks out and I am worried about being able to pump enough.

My advice is try. If it doesn't work... then it doesn't. You can always suppliment later.

That's my plan. there are times when my hormones make it hard to look at it this way, but in the end, it never hurts to try.

Good luck!

If you are going to supplement it is best to not do it until after 6 weeks. Sometimes hospitals will offer to supplement until your milk comes in but this is a really bad thing. Since your SO will be watching drew at 6 weeks he will have plenty of feedings to help with. Breastfeeding in the long run is 100 times easier then bottle feeding. Don't listen to stories of people who say they couldn't. You are your own person and your baby may be the best nurser.

My best advice is to drink 120 oz of water a day, nurse every time he makes a peep and you should do fine.

I tried BF Max at first. It was going good for him at first and then it stopped. He just couldn't do it anymore, it was not coming in fast enough for him. He was acting as if he was starving and vomiting. Switched to bottles after his surgery and has been on formula since. He is fine, healthy and growing.  I know the benefits of BF but remember formula is just as healthy.  I say give it a try, it is worth it. But if it doesn't work thats ok, at least you tried.  Don't let anyone talk you into something that you are not sure of. Good luck!

I feel very strongly about breast feeding, so much so, that I made myself crazy!  The guilt and insecurity that comes with being a first time mom can be quite shocking!  You really need to find what works best for you and what you can live with.  While I agree with other much more experienced posters with the fundamentals of breast feeding, sometimes what the books and experts say just don't work for you and your baby.

I breast feed and supplement.  The LC I worked with recommended that I supplement in the beginning because my baby was jaundice and my milk didn't come in right away.  Now, the book will say,  something to the effect of don't supplement even if some tells you to because your baby is jaundice, just keep BFing them.  That didn't work for me, I supplemented when my daughter was 4 days old and as yellow as a banana, I did what I felt was best for my baby.  Guess what, there was no ill affects, she continued to breast feed perfectly.  My LC told me to BF first then give 1 ounce of formula after.  That worked for us.  Her jaundice eventually cleared up and there was no nipple confusion and it was nice that other people could feed her.

My daughter is 4.5 months old now.  I am back to work FT and I pump.  I never get enough to give her a whole feeding so when I do leave her with someone, she always gets a BM & formula combo bottle or a pure formula bottle.  She spits up more with the formula, that's the only issue we have.  I am only on my 2nd can of formula since she has been born, so she doesn't get a ton of it but I am so glad she will take it when we need to give it to her. 

Try not to worry too much yet, you might have a baby that latches and nurses like a champ and you might produce a ton.  Just wait and see.  The only thing I wish I would have done differently is work on a freezer supply.  I have no frozen BM, she gets what I pump that day.  I come home at lunch time to feed her and bring home the AM milk.   I wish I didn't have to do that, I wish I could just thaw some milk. 

Good luck!

I was able to BF both my kids, but really had to be resolved to stick with it through all the early roadblocks (ie. sore nipples, exhaustion of new baby, unsupportive relatives).  After the first 2 months, it became really easy, cheap and totally worth enduring the toughest times.  For a WLS post-op patient, another BIG challenge is eating enough!  I had to constantly snack almost all the time to keep up the calories to make enough milk.  Throw out the crackers and other carbs and go for the nuts, protiens and veggies.  Also, DRINK LOTS OF WATER!  Fortunately, I was able to BF my 1st for a year - never needing formula - and my second for 6 months, supplementing with Similac.   Daddy will have plenty of other opportunities to bond with the baby, so don't worry about that, seriously.  Personally, I think that's kind of silly to worry about.  If your SO is attentive and has an ounce of paternal instince, he'll be right there helping you out at every moment.  Send him for snacks and water regularly, then while he's gone, tell your baby what a great Daddy he has for helping you BF.  The WIC lady is right, despite her alterior motives to save the state money.  Taking care of yourself is so very important.  Actually if you BF, the benefits to you are significant, too (faster healing, shrinking uterus, lower breast cancer risks, oxytocin release promoting bonding and sense of well-being, etc.)  Also, get the La Leche League Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.  It's the BF Bible and got me through many questions along the way.  Good luck!!!

Thanks for all your opinions and experiences. I think I'm just going to give it a try - like you all said, if it works, great - if not, oh well.

I had latching issues because emma was a little early and she hurt her jaw during delivery and never really got the hang of it. I tried for 3 months with a lc and pumped until my supply ran out.

The thing is that you have to first go into this with a positive outlook. You CAN do this. Try not to let others and their past dictate what you can do with your child. Also the lactation consultants are wonderful. My SIL went back to work at 6 weeks and her baby is 6 months old now. She still doesn't need to supplement. She pumps 3 times at work (she is a teacher). It takes dedication. I mean who wants to spend all of their breaks and lunches pumping??? But...women do it all the time. Also, her hubby uses the expressed milk to feed their daughter from the bottle on occasion for bonding and night feedings.

If you give it 100% effort...truly...then I really think you can make this work. I gave it 100% with emma and although a little sad it didn't work...more her cir****tance than mine...I felt good when my milk ran dry and I had to supplement and then switch. I gave her my milk for as long as I could and for the very important early months.

And even though it didn't work with emma I am bound and determined to make this time work! I think it is all in the determination. You can do it! Shari

I was in the same boat with my first one.  My husband so wanted me to BF and I was sure that I wouldn't be able to.  My mom was against it and just doesn't understand the whole BF thing.    So I told my DH that I would give it a try.   I did and was a success.   I so loved it.  I never thought I would.  I'm not one to flash the bobbies around. :)  But once Brady was here I just didn't care.  I wanted the best for him.    I also felt really bonded to him.  I struggled at first because I was stressed as to if he was getting enough to eat but I totally used the Laxation nurses at the hospital.   They were so supportive.  I even called them once I was home.  
I'm not one to say BF is the only way or that it's so much more nurtrional than formula.  I think formula is just a nurtrional.    I just think it doesn't hurt to give it a try.   I just loved the bond I had with BF.   I did pump so DH could feed at times and once I went back to work.