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Breast or Bottle Feeding
Just curious who is Breast or Bottle Feeding? Through my entire Pregnancy I said I was going to bottle feed and than my husband really wanted me to breastfeed and at the last minute I changed my mind. So I breast fed for the first four days and than my nipples were so sore that I had to take a couple days off. So I've been supplementing bottles here and there. But when I breastfeed, I don't think he's getting enough milk. He will eat for 5 minutes, doze off, than wake up 10 minutes later and feed again. Yesterday he did this for almost 2 hours straight. Than I went to pump later that night and I had nothing. Is it possible that I'm not producing enough milk? Because whenever I give him a bottle, he sleeps for 3 hours. Also when I do pump, it takes me about 2 hours to get 3 ounces. That can't be normal! How would anyone ever keep up with their babys feedings?
Just curious what you ladies were doing and if you had any tips! I don't mind giving him bottles here and there but I really wanted most of his feedings to be breast milk.
Just curious what you ladies were doing and if you had any tips! I don't mind giving him bottles here and there but I really wanted most of his feedings to be breast milk.
Whether to bottle feed which does seem to be more convenient or whether to breast feed can be a real stress on a mother. If you want your baby to get all the immune qualities from your body, breastfeeding is best. It's also been proven that breast fed babies have less allergies and less gas and tummy upset (especially if mommie doesn't eat too many spicey foods - that goes through the milk) They are overall, healthier babies.
If actual breast feeding is not going well, I still think it would be a good idea to pump and give your breast milk to the baby. There are lactation specialists' that do this for a living and with their help, you really can succeed and enjoy breast feeding. Does this mean that a bottle fed baby will not thrive and grow...of course not.
Breast feeding develops a deep bond between mother and child and actually helps the mother's body to return to pre-pregnancy state faster. Some women even say that it helps them to lost the baby weight faster.
Even as kitten and puppies do...they seem to find a teet and prefer that teet over all the others. As many of you know, they will fight each other to get THEIR nipple. I think the same is true for babies. They are more comofrtable laying in one position and sometimes pick the breast that it most comfortable for cuddling with mommie.
As some women have said on the Forum, it's like the baby considers on of your breasts the "evil breast" and won't go near it. It may sound cruel but if the baby realizes that they are not going to get any milk from the anything but the "evil breast," they will eventually adjust to the other breast. Sometimes that requires a mother to listen to some extra fussing from the baby. That's hard to deal with. The baby can really work themselves up into a fit to get the breast they want.
My daughter had one of those babies, so she pumped the "evil breast" at the same time she was feeding the baby on the baby's "favorite breast." That keep her from becoming engorged on the "evil side." Eventually all of her babies would take from each breast, as they matured a little bit.
You really are doing what is best for your baby's health, breast feeding if you can. Keeping your nipples well lubricated in-between feedings can really help with that soreness and nipple crackin you can get between feedings. After breast feeding, make sure that breast is completely dry and use a lotion your doctor recommends to keep the nipple supple.
All in all, you do what is right for YOU and your baby. Babies do seem to settle down to the breast feeding quite quickly between 2 and 3 weeks old.
Even a week on breastmilk is much better than not breast feeding at all. Your colostrum has alot of anti-bodies in it. Just what you baby needs for a good start in life. Try not to give up too easily. But also don't beat yourself up, if you find that breast feeding is not for you. There are plenty of healthy, strong kids out there that have been raised on the formula's out in today's market. They are easier on their little tummy. The proteins in the forumla are broken down in the processing of the formula, that makes it easier for baby to digest.
You can be sure that baby wants nothing more than to be cuddled up with mommie against her bare chest, enjoying the rich milk she can't get from anyone but mommie.
Best of luck to all of you. Whatever decision you make is the best one...Trust in what your heart tells you.
All the Best,
Heather
If actual breast feeding is not going well, I still think it would be a good idea to pump and give your breast milk to the baby. There are lactation specialists' that do this for a living and with their help, you really can succeed and enjoy breast feeding. Does this mean that a bottle fed baby will not thrive and grow...of course not.
Breast feeding develops a deep bond between mother and child and actually helps the mother's body to return to pre-pregnancy state faster. Some women even say that it helps them to lost the baby weight faster.
Even as kitten and puppies do...they seem to find a teet and prefer that teet over all the others. As many of you know, they will fight each other to get THEIR nipple. I think the same is true for babies. They are more comofrtable laying in one position and sometimes pick the breast that it most comfortable for cuddling with mommie.
As some women have said on the Forum, it's like the baby considers on of your breasts the "evil breast" and won't go near it. It may sound cruel but if the baby realizes that they are not going to get any milk from the anything but the "evil breast," they will eventually adjust to the other breast. Sometimes that requires a mother to listen to some extra fussing from the baby. That's hard to deal with. The baby can really work themselves up into a fit to get the breast they want.
My daughter had one of those babies, so she pumped the "evil breast" at the same time she was feeding the baby on the baby's "favorite breast." That keep her from becoming engorged on the "evil side." Eventually all of her babies would take from each breast, as they matured a little bit.
You really are doing what is best for your baby's health, breast feeding if you can. Keeping your nipples well lubricated in-between feedings can really help with that soreness and nipple crackin you can get between feedings. After breast feeding, make sure that breast is completely dry and use a lotion your doctor recommends to keep the nipple supple.
All in all, you do what is right for YOU and your baby. Babies do seem to settle down to the breast feeding quite quickly between 2 and 3 weeks old.
Even a week on breastmilk is much better than not breast feeding at all. Your colostrum has alot of anti-bodies in it. Just what you baby needs for a good start in life. Try not to give up too easily. But also don't beat yourself up, if you find that breast feeding is not for you. There are plenty of healthy, strong kids out there that have been raised on the formula's out in today's market. They are easier on their little tummy. The proteins in the forumla are broken down in the processing of the formula, that makes it easier for baby to digest.
You can be sure that baby wants nothing more than to be cuddled up with mommie against her bare chest, enjoying the rich milk she can't get from anyone but mommie.
Best of luck to all of you. Whatever decision you make is the best one...Trust in what your heart tells you.
All the Best,
Heather
Well I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who had a little trouble! It is so hard because you try and pump to keep up with their feeding but when they feed every 3 hours thats nearly impossible! And I can't possibly breastfeed at night..I'd be up every 10 minutes with the way he breastfeeds. Plus we use the Good Start, ready to feed...you just shake, open and pop on a nipple. Daddy & I get much more sleep this way!
Now when you pump...how long do you do it for and how many ounces do you get? I think I am producing an ounce a half hour and I feel like it should be coming way faster than that.
Awww that is a lot of weight in 2 weeks, but thats great! She's nice and healthy! Caiden lost 11 ounces in the hospital but he's up to 9 pounds 2 ounces. So still under his birth weight but is getting there!!
Now when you pump...how long do you do it for and how many ounces do you get? I think I am producing an ounce a half hour and I feel like it should be coming way faster than that.
Awww that is a lot of weight in 2 weeks, but thats great! She's nice and healthy! Caiden lost 11 ounces in the hospital but he's up to 9 pounds 2 ounces. So still under his birth weight but is getting there!!
Gina.....I was totally for breast feeding when I was pregnant....and it was so hard for her to get the hang of it while we were in the hospital.....she did finally get it..but favored one side....and I never knew what she was getting and if I was producing enough for her....
Once we got home..its like she lost the concept of latching and gave up...and I tried and tried and it got to the point where every time she got so frustrated that she screamed at the top of her lungs and I fed her a bottle of formula instead. However, I did want her to get my breast milk because I know how good it is for them, so I am pumping and giving it to her..but of course I do not produce at her speed. So, I pump....get a bottle or two...and then I supplement with formula when needed. Similac Adance Earlyshield is one of the formulas that is the closest to breastmilk, and I dont think she really knows the difference. The piggy is already up to 3 ounces every feeding and has gained so much weight. Her two week appt was today and she already weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces!
I plan on continuing to pump and supplement when needed!
Once we got home..its like she lost the concept of latching and gave up...and I tried and tried and it got to the point where every time she got so frustrated that she screamed at the top of her lungs and I fed her a bottle of formula instead. However, I did want her to get my breast milk because I know how good it is for them, so I am pumping and giving it to her..but of course I do not produce at her speed. So, I pump....get a bottle or two...and then I supplement with formula when needed. Similac Adance Earlyshield is one of the formulas that is the closest to breastmilk, and I dont think she really knows the difference. The piggy is already up to 3 ounces every feeding and has gained so much weight. Her two week appt was today and she already weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces!
I plan on continuing to pump and supplement when needed!
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