Breastfeeding...and bottle???

i plan on bf, however i just want to do it via pumping, and feeding my ds with a bottle. does that make things less beneficial for my baby?  i know the fact that he's getting bf is a plus, but i read on my avent bottles, that the best way to avoid colic babies is to not use a bottle, and just the breast. when i had my dd 6 yrs ago, i found it easier, and less painful to pump, and then feed her through the bottle, however that was so long ago that i can hardly remember how she took to it. another thing is, has anybody gave both breast milk, and formula? i plan on storing and things like that, but suppose my supply doesnt come as expected, and i have to feed him formula also? any bf advice would be appreciated!

[Tanker Chic]

I had to supplement with formula until on my milk came in.  Once my milk came in, I stopped supplementing with formula.  

Hannah

[dbestone]

did u notice a change in him, like being gassy, or a change in his bowel movements? do you only give the breast or do you bottle feed also?

[Cheyenne_08]

Why would you not breastfeed the natural way?? I had to pump because my son was in the NICU, and the pumping constantly only kept my milk constant for 3 months...! Ashtyn did fine on the bottle....but eventually had to go to Enfacare Formula because the hospital pump was not working anymore. Good Luck.

[dbestone]

my dd was in nicu also. i had started pumping before she came home, and storing the milk. by then i was used to the pump and she was used to the bottle. whenever i would try to give her the breast, like in the middle of the night, she gave me a problem. so to the bottle she went. the pump kept me constant for 3 months also, and that was when i returned back to work, so at that point i had stopped anyway and put her on enfamil with iron. when i return to work this time, i want to try bfing, but if im sure i wont produce as much and have to resort to both breast and formula.

[Shaosh]

Yes when he comes you need to nurse him as much as you can... You can even pump alittle after you nurse him.. Remember you will not get a whole lot at first.. Dont give him the bottle to early either.. nipple confusion.. Try as long as you can to avoid yucky formula.. Have a postive out look on nursing... That you will get alot .. Good luck I know you will do great.. Oh advent is good and so is Dr. brown bottles..

[tiredbuthappy]

since you've pumped already, i won't give you the whole run-down on pumping vs not. you know the pros and especially the difficulties from experience, but if you have any questions, let me know. i also have a great site for people who exclusively pump.

but to answer your question, my dd got both formula and milk the first few days of her life while my milk came in. she was a preemie and we had no choice but to start packing on the pounds. after that it was all breast milk for 6 1/2 months. now she gets 50/50- half of her feeds are formula, half are frozen breast milk. i haven't noticed any difference since we found a formula that works for her. for some reason nestle is better for her than similac or enfamil. she shows no preference for which she is getting either.

also, if you had a supply with your first, there is no reason why you wouldn't have the same or more this time. if you choose to pump, the key to maintaining the supply is good pumping habits, especially in the beginning as you build up your supply.

finally, proper nursing is supposed to be much more comfortable than the pump. it's possible you had so many difficulties the first time around because of poor latch. a good lc can help you avoid that this time, if you do want to try nursing.

[Tanker Chic]

Right now I just breast feed with no bottle.  He will only latch onto one side so I dont' want to confuse him by using a bottle.  He has started to latch on alittle to the other side but not often enough.  I am able to produce enough milk with just the one breast.  Since it is supply and demand my body just produces more.  I pump the other just to keep from getting too lopsided and so it doesn't dry up.  

[dbestone]

thanks alot ladies! im sure it'll work itself out. besides, i always have you guys on to walk me through it if difficulties arise (YAY for Medhelp). im going to focus on the breast mainly as i'll be off for 2 months anyway. i guess i'll deal with the bottle, and formula if or whenever the time comes. thanks again...take care everyone!