Breast may be best but formula gives you a rest! (The Breastfeeding Debate)

Member Name: rhianjo

Product:	The Breastfeeding Debate
Date:	26/06/09 (49 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Breastmilk is natural and free but sometimes it just doesn't work

Disadvantages: Getting to do it properly, no-one else to lend a hand

I was in the great position of using both methods so I've experienced both sides of the argument. During my pregnancy I was for breast feeding because it's natural, it's free, it would be easier I thought. But I did get some bottles, formula and a steriliser just in case. After giving birth to my son I was determined to breastfeed and perservered in the hospital.

The midwives in the hospital and the community were great with helping me to try and do it correctly. Not all that easy considering I really couldn't sit down lol. But when my son was 3 weeks old I had to crack open the formula one night I couldn't do it solo any more. I confessed to my midwife and she was excellent, no judgements, but "let me show you one last way" with 8 million cushions. That way worked. But as my son was feeding every 20 minutes I kept using forumla to top him up. Yes bottles are a pain but as long as you think ahead they don't have to be really awkward.

I kept going with the breastfeeding til he got to 4 months and then he just got frustrated because he wasn't filling himself as fast as he wanted so I packed it in. But I'm very proud I got to 4 months by just doing it one day at a time. I loved the closeness especially when he fell asleep and I would just hold him for ages. I didn't get that the same with a bottle.

But I believe that everyone makes the right choice for them and their baby. You have to consider the mum as well because a healthy mum makes a healthy happy baby. I was really anaemic for months after the birth and my milk was shocking. It took my husband to point out what was better a full happy baby or a breast fed baby who was starving and crying most of the time. I was too busy wrestling with self-made guilt of using formula. Only 1 health visitor has told me that wasn't the right decision of which I took no notice.

My main points:
90% mums you speak to who breast fed struggled for 6-8 weeks before it clicked and both of you did it properly.
My milk was dreadful and was no where near what he needed to satisfy his huge appetite.
My son fed from breast and bottle with no confusion.
If you are struggling to breast feed try expressing or formula for one feed a day to give yourself a break.
Don't berate yourself because you can't or didn't do it, I was formula fed and I've done okay.
If you trying to breast feed every day you breast feed is another day to be very proud of I think it's hard work!!
If I have another child I would do the same again without hesitation.

These are just my thoughts, I really like reading other people's thoughts on this subject because it's so emotive.

Summary: I mixed fed my baby from 3 weeks and he's thriving on it.