I am 36 weeks pregnant with my first!! My L&D prep classes just ended, and they were talking in the last class about breast feeding, and how long most women do it. She said that a lot of women don't continue to breast feed past the first month. I intend to bottle feed for personal reasons (please no opinions) But I am just wondering, how long did you breast feed before you went to formula?? And how long did you originally intend on breastfeeding as opposed to how long you actually did? THANKS!!!
2007-12-22 02:22:49 · 17 answers · asked by Noah's Mommy 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Thanks Kimi!! that is the honesty I am looking for!! :)
2007-12-22 02:28:59 · update #1
I pumped for about 2 weeks maybe 3 then started bottle feeding cuz I really wanted a beer. Thats the God's honest truth and people can think what they want but I wanted a beer lol. I mean I know they say you can pump it out and start up the day after. But I worried that it might not all be out and it was just easier to go to the formula. With this one I'll probably pump the first few weeks. But I have been dying for a margarita for awhile now.
2007-12-22 02:28:12 · answer #1 · answered by Kimi 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I intended on breast feeding all of my children.
With my first, I was 17 years old, knew nothing about breastfeeding and felt I had very little instruction and support from my nurses at the hospital when I delivered. I felt like they thought "Oh, she's 17, she isn't committed to it and will end up bottle feeding anyway" so they didn't take the time to really get me started. They didn't tell me how to know if she was getting enough, they didn't tell me how much I would be able to express with pumping, they didn't help me get her to latch properly, etc. So I only breastfed her for two days after leaving the hospital.
With my second child, it went much better. I had help from a lactation consultant in the hospital and got a good start. I planned on breastfeeding for a full year, but my son became disinterested and began refusing the breast at 9 months and we went straight to cup during the day and a bottle before bed.
With my last son, I once again intended on breastfeeding for the full year, but he began refusing the breast at about 6 months and we went to bottle feeding then.
Nobody should ever feel guilty about their feeding choices. Never. Babies thrive on either formula or breastmilk. Personally, I think if women are able they should at least give it a shot and try it unless there are medical issues or whatever else that are preventing them from doing so.
Good luck regardless of what you choose.
2007-12-22 02:41:15 · answer #2 · answered by Take A Test! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When I had my son, I was trying to breastfeed him. . .and was planning on breastfeeding him until he turned a year old. Well, it took a little while for my milk to come down so he was getting fussy and I started formula feeding. After I got home from the hospital I was actually feeding him formula one feeding and then the next I was breastfeeding. My milk dried up after a few weeks so I had to continue with formula. Breast feeding is a really good option but the formulas they make now have the same nutrition for the baby as the breast milk does. Whatever decision you make will be the right decision for you. Good luck
2007-12-22 02:28:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
When I had my twins I bottle feed them because there is no way I could have done it on my own. With my next baby I am going to try breast feeding. I really don't want to, but formula is super expensive. I will breast feed until their teeth come in. So up until 6 months or so. If I really hate breast feeding I will probably try to go at least 3 months. I like bottle feeding.
2007-12-22 03:18:18 · answer #4 · answered by Torrey 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter was breast feed for about 6 months, never really had formula much, and doesnt seem to have any difficulties in life.
My son was breast feed for less then a month before begining formula, I blame other things for his problems in life. (his biological mother drank alcohol while pregnant and ended breast feeding to enjoy the bar more often)
Seems to me back in psych class there were positive mental benefits to breast feeding for the first 6 months. I suggest stopping sometime before your child starts high school. lol
2007-12-22 02:43:20 · answer #5 · answered by Insane Wayne 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I planned on breastfeeding, and only ended up doing it for a day. After trying it I just realized it wasnt right for me or my baby, and I would much rather bottle feed. So I went straight to formula bottle feeding on the second day and stuck with that. My son is now a happy, healthy 16 month old...and I still have perky boobs :0) I don't regret my decision to bottle feed and I will probably continue to bottlefeed any of my future children. Its a personal decision, so whatever is right for you.
2007-12-22 02:34:14 · answer #6 · answered by kcgirl 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I breastfed my first daughter for 7 mo. I LOVED it!! I stopped bc I had my wisdom teeth pulled and could not take the pain pills if I was breastfeeding so she went to formula. With my second I did not breastfeed as long and I felt guilty about it at first but She did perfectly fine with formula. I stopped with her b/c my first was 16mo when she was born so it was a little much for me. I am 6 weeks pregnant now and I plan on breastfeeding this child as well.
Good Luck with whatever you decide.
2007-12-22 02:32:32 · answer #7 · answered by Proud Mommy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I breastfed my 1st for 5 months. Wanted to go to 6, but I was so ignorant about breastfeeding. I had no clue you could re-lactate, or do different things to build your supply.
I nursed my 2nd for an even shorter time. Which I'm not happy about. I was instructed by my doctor to stop. Whatever hormone you get while nursing that help replenish your nutrients ... I didn't produce enough of. I was severely malnourished and 20 lbs underweight. I nursed for weeks after instructed to stop, and by that time, I could barely get up out of bed.
I know that was bad, but I really really didn't want to give him formula. It's disgusting, artificial, and he wouldn't be getting any antibodies or immunities with it. And sure enough as soon as he was put on formula, he got an achy stomach, gas, colic, etc ...
2007-12-22 02:52:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I breastfed my daughter until she was 6 months old. I started giving her formula at about 4 months because my milk supply was running low. I wanted to breastfeed her until she was 6 months old and I did. I watched my sisters kids get sick after being sick after being sick and I 'heard' that babies that are breastfed are more apt to not be sick. Well lets put it this way, my daughter is 2 1/2 and she has probably been to the doctors three times for being sick. My sisters kids have been sick NONSTOP for the past 2 months. One even has a bad case of Bronchitis and the other has a bad ear ache. I know all kids are different but I think breast feeding has a lot to do with it. I am NOT one of the woman that protest to women saying you must breatfeed. Do as you wish, I don't judge but I thought you'd like to hear my side of breastfeeding.
2007-12-22 04:11:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
With my first one, I intended to breastfeed at least until I went back to work. I ended up nursing until she weaned herself right before her second birthday.
With the youngest, I knew from the get go that I'd nurse him until he was ready to stop. He was three and a half when we weaned.
Neither of mine were on formula at all. I didn't have to worry with bottles and such, that whole washing, mixing formula, storing bottles, warming bottles blah blah blah just seemed to be too much trouble for me.
2007-12-22 03:41:49 · answer #10 · answered by nightynightnurse 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋