Breastfeeding question?

Question

I have chosen not to breastfeed my child when she arrives, but is it possible to breastfeed at first, maybe for a few days then change to bottle? or would it be better to bottle feed right from the start? Just i hear that the first milk is very good for baby's immune system. Thanks x

Answer 1

ANY breastmilk you will give your baby is EXCELLENT. I commend you for even giving it a thought. Good for you. Please consider giving your baby the colostrum. This is the thicker, more yellow milk that is in your breasts before the milk "comes in" a few days after the baby is born. It holds the most nutrients. It would be so beneficial if you could give your baby that! I will be fine if you do that and then switch to a bottle. Heck, you might even like breastfeeding so much that you'll stick with it! Remember, you can also bottle feed and supplement with your breastmilk. You could bottle feed and then nurse in the morning and evenings. Or you could pump your milk and feed your baby what you pump through a bottle. Good luck! This was a great question!

Answer 2

I believe that breastfeeding is best for your baby. If you do decide to breastfeed your baby you need to start right after they're born. If you don't your milk will dry up. You can continue to breastfeed or you can switch to a bottle, but keep in mind that if you start bottle feeding your milk will dry up. You would have to do one of the other or both. The first few weeks are the worst though. But stay strong you can do it if you put your mind to it. I told myself when I started breastfeeding that I wanted to make the pain worth it. My daughter is 9 1/2 months and I'm still breastfeeding her. I plan to do so till she's a year old.

Answer 3

I'm a paediatric nurse and although i don't have children myself i deal with lots of breastfeeding scenarios.
What you should do is not breastfeed your baby but get a breast pump and use this to get the first few days milk after the birth. You should never breast feed and bottle feed your baby, its not good for the baby.
Your right the first milk is good for the babies immune system because it has colostrum in it which helps build the babies immune system.
However more than half of the babies born in the UK are bottle fed and they are no different to the babies who get breast fed so please don't worry yourself over this.
Good luck with your new baby xxx

Answer 4

Yes, definitely. The experts say any better than none. If you're willing to do this, I was just wondering why you don't want to carry on, at least part-time.

I had to have a c-section and as a result had difficulty feeding my little girl at the start. The nursery staff at the hospital gave her formula, but I was still trying to feed her whenever I could. Then I exclusively breastfed her for 3 months (apart from the odd bottle of ready-made formula every now and again during growth spurts). Anyway after 3 mths, I started mix feeding and have found it great.

I feel that mixing breast and formula allows you to have the best of both worlds. Breast at first does make you sore, but it soon wears off. It gives you an amazing bond and after the soreness goes it becomes a real pleasure. In the house, it is so much more convenient like when baby wakes up famished in the night. Its so much easier to put him/her on the breast than mess about for 5 mins preparing and heating bottles. This means you will get back to sleep sooner as it can take ages to send off a baby who is coming down from a crying fit.

Formula allows convenience when out and about. I didn't really get on with pumping as it caused problems to my supply. My little one has been a slow weight gainer and the bottle has allowed me to monitor how much she is taking. Finally, I respect it's the mother's right to choose but I have difficulty understanding it. Formula's expensive stuff and with the benefits of breast for baby it's makes little sense to me anyway.

Personally mixed has worked for me as I have a little girl who so far has been happy accepting both breast and bottle.

Visit the forum below for more advice if that helps.

Good luck

Answer 5

The colostrum comes first it full of the anti bodies and is wonderful for them. then comes the hind milk, which is still better than bottle. If you are thinking bottle is easy, then maybe think again, i found it was great to stick mine on the breast instead of getting up and warming bottles. Its also the only time you can sit still. its a good excuse to say make me a drink etc. I hope you find you enjoy it and carry on but if not good luck it is ok to change, you still gave the best in the first few days.

Answer 6

the first three months are crucial
u pass on antibodies and other essentials which
help the baby's immune system.
any decent health visitor will say the same thing i think

u could always express into an expressing machine if that would help. that way u get a break and the baby gets ur goodies!!

i think ideally both is a good idea. breast feeding also helps u to bond with baby as it will leave an impression with the child and makes them feel loved and secure. bottle allows dad to take over at key times!!! (experience!!)

hope that helps.
xx

Answer 7

Yes, you can start out nursing and then switch to a bottle. The colostrum is very important.....acts kind of like their first immunization and gets their digestive system going. Commit to at least the time you are in the hospital so that she'll get the colostrum. Better yet, give it a couple of weeks. Every drop is a HUGE benefit to both mom and baby.

Answer 8

Even if you don't want to breastfeed, you really should for the first week because that's when the colostrum is being produced which is really important for the baby. You can change to the bottle when you have had enough.

Answer 9

It is possible to breastfeed for a few days and then stop. You might even decide you like it after giving it a try. The first milk is not really milk; it's colostrum. There's very little, so it won't seem like you have "milk." Usually mothers' milk comes in three to seven days after delivery. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 10

Yes, it's possible to breast feed at first for a few days then change to a bottle. The only drawback is that your baby will be used to the feel and texture of a nipple in her mouth, and so you may have trouble getting her to feed from the teat of a bottle.