questions about how long to breast feed

hi everyone. i was wondering what everyone's take was on breast feeding just for the first week or so. see, i don't really WANT to breast feed, particularly, because it will be stressful to have to pump when i go back to work. i do want the baby to get some of the essential nutrients from breast milk though. i am accpeting of the fact that not everyone feels this is the way to go, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the subject, however, i have already pretty much made up my mind that i don't want to do it for months and months. my question is really about switching from breast feeding to formula and how to do it, if it can be done at all. can you give breast milk for the first couple weeks, then switch to formula without incident? should you give some breast milk and some formula to get baby used to formula? how does the transition work if you were to switch from breast milk to formula? and if you are going to be only giving breast milk for a little while, should you always pump and give it to him from a bottle so he's used to feeding only one way?

any input on the subject would be greatly appreciated as my mom didn't breast feed and aside from her, i value your opinions more than anyone elses. :o)

thanks!

[Jah02e]

I started breastfeeding once she was born and since my milk hadn't came in yet she got dehydrated, so they suggested that I feed her and then top it off with formula.  Then once my milk came in that is all I gave her.  It has been almost two months and now I give her formula too.  I am lucky b/c she still takes to my breast as well as a bottle.  But I started off with just doing the bottle once a day and she seemed to take to it rather well.  Now she takes formula a couple times a day.  I am only going to breastfeed for a couple more months and then switch to all formula.  I wanted to breastfeed for a year at first, but sometimes it can be hard, especially b/c of my schedule so I just have to do what I can.

[Harley-girl]

Good question I was wondering the same thing. I know I am going to breast feed for 8 weeks only. In that time I hope to also get him/her used to a bottle and formula.  Then hopefully just breastfeed before and after work.

[girliegrl1723]

okay, so it is common for some people to do both. breast feed and give formula? thats what i wasn't sure of. i thought maybe you had to do only one or the other.

[ace24]

Yes it is ok to do both as long as the baby accepts it.

[jd1419]

I switched to breastfeeding and then formula when I went back to work.  I was not very good a t pumping.  It was easier that when I went back to work the baby took a bottle from Grandma--who is daycare provider for me.  My little guy would not take a bottle from me at all during the 1st few weeks.

I did also do the morning and night breastfeeding till 14 weeks and then quit.  It is very benefical to you and baby.  My guys now 4 and 2 this week have a very thin file at the dr's office--I  believe they are less prone to infections when you do breastfeed.

[misseltoe]

If you are only going to breastfeed her for a week I wouldn't give her any formula during that time.  

You are doing a very good thing by breastfeeding that first week.  The first week is really full of the best stuff milk wise.   You are giving your child a great start by breastfeeding that first week.  It will benefit her A LOT.  

I think everything will be fine if you only breastfeed the first week and then bottlefeed after that.  She'll most likely take to the bottle just fine.  Though, she might not like the taste of the formula right away.  Some babies don't, while others don't really seem to take much notice of the difference.

Remember you don't have to justify your decisions to anyone.

[jackiemoo]

I breastfed my son for three months. After the third month I would breast feed him for comfort but bottle feed mostly. He usually fell asleep the second he attached to my boob!

I would suggest similac. It is really easy on your babys tummy. The worst part of switching to formula os the cost. The average can cost between 13-15 dollars. It can become very expensive. With this baby, I am going to try to breastfeed longer only because of the money. I think that three months was plenty of time as far as bonding and health was concerned!

Good luck either way :)

[ange800]

I breastfeed and bottlefeed my first baby she had a bottle and breast from day 1 I would breastfeed her and top her up with formula at night she loved her bottle I did that for 6 months then she was fully on formula. I recommend to give  a bottle right from the start everyday wether it is breast or formula milk so your baby gets used to a bottle. Its your choice what you feed your baby dont let other people make you feel guilty for not breastfeeding for a long time. My midwife said to me I dont care what milk you feed your baby with as long as she is being fed and my plunket nurse made me feel guilty for even giving a little formula a day its your choice good luck.  

[Crritter]

I started out with formula and felt bad, plus my little guy was so colicky I thought nursing would help, so I added nursing when he was 6 days old.  My son did both just fine.  I would nurse during the day while my DH was working, and sometimes at night, it really does soothe baby, but the formula fills them up and helps them sleep better, and I could tell how much he was eating at night with the bottle.  It just depends on what your baby will do for you.  I also had to put my son on soy formula, but his Dr. was the one that switched my son and it made a world of difference too.  Even though I nursed my son till around 10 weeks, he still got every infection you could imagine, his Dr. said that we just had bad luck and in a few years would be past it.  I think you have a right to try whatever you are comfortable with and don't care about what others say, my mom wasn't thrilled that I nursed at all.

[HIS GIFT TO US]

I BF my son til he was 8 mo
I pumped alot of the time at 6mo I gave him his first taste of formula he did fine (meaning no gas or tummy problems) thats the biggest problem I've heard moms say when it comes to giving formula to an infant, but all ***** are diff & some do great from the get go on formula but I will tell I pumped at wk & sometimes it did seem that all I was was a pumping queen:) but he has been so healthy he was 13mo when he got his 1st cold

I started pumping at about 5 days after having him so he would take a bottle it worked.
At 6 mo when I gave him formula I only mixed a sm amt into my pumped milk & ea day I mixed a little more til finally he was taking a full bottle of formula by around 5 days or so. I think thats the key no matter how long anyone wants to BF when you decide to stop don't just quit cold turkey slowly ease out of it (both of you will benefit your boobs won't hurt near as bad by slowly stopping & your little one will have less tummy aches)
Good luck!!! It'll work out just fine for the both of you!!
LOVE&PRAYERS

[siren of the sea]

just a little info, my ped. and lactation consultant had me take fennugreek (an herb that helps in digestion) to help my milk come in. boy does it work. i bf and gave bottles to my little guy. i never pumped- he had formula at daycare and breast milk at home. my milk would wait untill about 4:30 in the afternoon then come in so when i got home i was ready for feeding time. it was more bonding than you can ever imagine. i was kinda skeptical at first if i could do it but i would never have done anything else!

[cutiemama]

You can definitely do both. I BF my DD for 8 months but she also was given a bottle of formula every night from about the time she was 2 weeks old. Good luck. Every day you bf your baby is better than not at all but you also have to do what feels right for you and not because people are pressuring you.

[Harley-girl]

I plan to breast feed my little on but what if he/she does not take to the breast at all??? I had not planned on buying any formula for quite some time. Do you all recommend that I purchase some before I deliver? I would hate to come home from the hosp with a hungry baby and no milk to give.
Did any of u buy formula for the arrival of the baby in case breast feeding did not workout.

[emcy2]

I am not going to be breast feeding, I understand all the benefits but to me if the mother is not happy then the baby will not be happy either.
My reasons are wide and varied, I tried it with my first many years ago and lasted all of two hours, I also have a non malignant tuma which needs no aggravation.
I admire all you ladies who will be breast feeding.

[Morgan277]

Of course the longer you breastfeed (up to a year) the better.  Beyond that I have heard there are no real benefits to it anylonger.  But if you are looking to just do it for a couple weeks, any breastmilk is better than none and its great that you are giving it a try.  It may be really difficult at first so try to find a good local support system to help you.  I found it horrendous til about 6 weeks.  the sore nipples and awkwardness of it all was too much to bear.  but I stuck it out and weaned my dd at 13 months.  You can try LaLeche league in your area for support but just keep in mind they are very very gung ho on this whole breastfeeding thing- I understand on one hand but they have to let a person make a decision on their own.  You may feel a little pressure from them to continue but stick to your guns.  Otherwise they are extremely helpful problem solving in those first few difficult weeks.
good luck!

[xrayu2]

I breast fed 10 months to a year for each child.  They say if you cannot or do not want to do it that long that 6 weeks gives the baby time to get essential nutrients of the breast milk and allows time to get some of the immunities that breeast milk provides.

[markysmom]

I just wanted to say I think its also great that you are going to try to bf. I tried..but gave up rigth away and I do regret it. My son wasn't the problem..i was. I had a c-section and it just hurt to hold him so bad I really couldn't stand it. Plus I was so out of it from the spinal the first time I tried...so i really didn't get to give it a fair shot.
None of my nurses told me that I could try again the next day or even the following day...and I didn't realize I could go back and forth. If I knew 3 years ago what I know now I would have tried again.
It makes me kinda sad now...actually. My son had soooooo many ear infections and colds...but he is also in daycare since 7 weeks..so who knows.
Anyway, good luck to you! I think it's great

[Morgan277]

Of course the longer you breastfeed (up to a year) the better.  Beyond that I have heard there are no real benefits to it anylonger.  But if you are looking to just do it for a couple weeks, any breastmilk is better than none and its great that you are giving it a try.  It may be really difficult at first so try to find a good local support system to help you.  I found it horrendous til about 6 weeks.  the sore nipples and awkwardness of it all was too much to bear.  but I stuck it out and weaned my dd at 13 months.  You can try LaLeche league in your area for support but just keep in mind they are very very gung ho on this whole breastfeeding thing- I understand on one hand but they have to let a person make a decision on their own.  You may feel a little pressure from them to continue but stick to your guns.  Otherwise they are extremely helpful problem solving in those first few difficult weeks.
good luck!

[mumwith#4]

I too think it's great that you are giving breastfeeding a go! Having breastfed all 3 of my children I can tell you that the first time is the worst INITIALLY! That first couple of weeks is PAINFUL (isn't it girls?) I can totally understand why people would give up on feeding particularly for a first time mum. It also depends on the type of baby you have as well. My DD was born 9lb 1oz and was starving from the word go! Of course I didn't have enough of anything to feed her what she wanted and she sucked for about 45 mins to 1 hour per breast from the beginning which didn't help my nipples one bit (LOL!).

Eventually (and this is while I was still in hospital and she wouldn't stop screaming or settle) I asked one of the nurses if I could give her a bottle of formula to help her (and me more importantly) sleep. They reluctantly gave me a bottle which she gulped down immediately and then slept for 3 hours! I was thrilled. So when we got home I alternated between breast and formula in a bottle when I thought she wasn't getting enough or my nipples needed a break. It took a good 6 weeks for both of us to feel comfortable breastfeeding. I can tell you that in hindsight I was just a nervous first-timer who thought I didn't or wouldn't have enough milk and as it turned out I didn't produce enough because I was supplementing with a bottle.

My next baby (a boy) and #3 (also a boy) fed perfectly from birth until 11 and 12 months respectively without bottles at all and having gone down both tracks I can tell you that breastfeeding is by far easier for both particularly if you really want to succeed. As for those who choose to only do it for a short amount of time for whatever reason I say fantastic that you have attempted giving your baby a great start to life...breastmilk is liquid gold and formula is not nearly as good but it does the job and let's face it - the mother's needs are equally important so do what's best for both of you!!!

[stephd]

I did not breastfeed nor did I plan to but just so you know I did not buy anything for when the baby came home.   Only because you never know what the hospital will put them on, whether it be Similac or Enfamil.  Course I was in for 3 days so my DH had time to go buy a can before we came home but I was very fortunate, my DS could take either brand.  Good luck to you.

[emcy2]

I have already bought formula, they also sell it pre mixed so i am going to take some to hospital with me!!!

[markysmom]

They gave me the choice at the hopsital of Similac or enfamil...
I chose similac advance- its a few dollars cheaper ...and a dollar is a dollar.
They send you home (at least at my hospital) with a little care package. I lived very close to stores..so I just sent DH out when we got home to get a can or two.
Also, you can go to similac's website..sign up...put in your edd and all that fun stuff and they send you a free sample kit..it's a good amount of formula and tons of coupons which were awesome. we set up a few "pretend' accounts also for extra stuff :)

[siren of the sea]

the hospitol has these great glass jarred premix ready to eat bottles. breastfeeding isnt easy. most hospitols have a lactation consultant to help show you how. you can buy a container to keep around for after it makes it easier than going out the day you come home!

[siren of the sea]

its like 6:30 am and i woke up remembering you have your ultrasound today. GOOD LUCK on the little one cooperating. is your hubby going too? i woke up with a pimple under the skin on my nose. i cant see it but it HUUUUUURTS. its almost friday yippee!

[JJety]

I did not buy any, but I had some in my cupboard from all of the free enfamil and similac samples that I received.  If I had not received any samples, then I would have bought a small can for the reason you describe - just in case.  

I have heard that if you do have formula on-hand and breastfeeding is getting frustrated that you're more likely to just turn to the formula and easily give up on breastfeeding.  That's a personal choice, though.  

For me, I did not realize my DS was not latched on far enough until he was about 2.5 weeks old.  I was more sore that I could have ever imagined, and my right nipple had a large split in it.  I had even gone to a mommie's group at the hosptial and had the nurse watch me - she said everything was fine, but it wasn't.  The formula helped me get unsore, by supplementing my pumping, and then I was finally able to figure out what I was doing wrong.  For this baby, I will try better to breastfeed, but I will still have a small can on-hand, just in case.

[Harley-girl]

Hell yes he is going. This will be his very first visit to the OB wth me. I sure hope he/she cooperates too. :)
I hate those pimples they feel like a bad bruise.

It is storming so bad here with thunder/lightening that you have no idea how tempting it was just to call in and get some sleep.

Baby continues to kick so I am now hoping that it will be a daily thing. :)

[Hope2OneDay]

I also plan to breastfeed, but NOT only because it's healthier for my baby. I've read how it benefits the mother as well. My friend breastfed her second child for the first year, and said that she lost all her "baby weight" VERY quickly. She said she was at her lowest weight EVER during that time. I'd heard that it helps you lose the extra weight, but she is the first person who verified it.

It also helps your uterus shrink back down more quickly, although you'll still feel the "crampy" sensations. I just think that if my baby and I can BOTH get something out of breastfeeding, then I'll give it all I've got before turning to formula full time. I may still do the occasional bottle if the baby is willing, but formula is SO expensive, no matter HOW many coupons you keep getting in the mail! LOL

[Harley-girl]

Hey I did register with the similac website and still no freebies. :(  I wonder when they will come. I registered over a month ago.

[JJety]

I laughed when you said you set up "pretend" accounts.  My mom has an account, my MIL has an account, and my DH has an account.  LOL!

[Morgan277]

I bought the powder formula to use while breastfeeding b/c the liquid goes bad quickly and alot would go to waste when I was trying to breastfeed more than give formula.  it was very convenient and i didnt waste money.

[markysmom]

Well...this was a little over two years ago..but mine came closer to my EDD...maybe a month or two before.
I think we got a total of 4 or so..cause we registered a few times - with various emails  :)

[jian]

Hey, this thread was really informative.Thnx a lot guys.
I was in the impression that you NEED to BF at least for some weeks before starting with anything else.How releaved am I.

Harley, Waiting to hear what you R having.

[Harley-girl]

Thanks!!!! I will not post it until tomorrow as my appt is not until late afternoon and then we are going to dinner to celebrate.

[jian]

So we get to see the first post from you tomorrow, with the announcement!! :)  Wonderful.Enjoy your day.

[stephd]

Its not that you NEED to breastfeed.  Some say its better for the baby and stuff.  Like it prevents allergies and all the ****.  Well I dont necessarily believe that cause I have a friend that was breastfed and she has tons of allergies.  I think nowadays the formula is so advanced from back in the day that it is almost as good as breastmilk.  Its a personal choice.  I said I wasnt doing it and caught hell from the breastfeeding nurse on my OB dept.  Cause she said I was a perfect candidate for that.  Oh well I didnt want to.  Formula is just as good and I am planning on using formula again!

[siren of the sea]

oohhhh the excitement and intrique of boy or girl!! have i read your dh is named jeff? mine is a jeff. you know he will probably do like my ex did, see the umbilical cord and say ya my kid is hung!. we never got a 100% reading so i never knew for sure if a boy or girl. have a great dinner to celebrate and i will rush to my comp tomarrow am. i am jealous of the storms. we are finally below the hundreds (this summer we hit 113 for days!) and i cant wait for fall. well it lasts like 2 days here but still! my ex sil has a gaggle of kids and has all the companies (ex: diapers, formula, baby food) send her coupons. she tells them she loves their brand but its more expensive and she gets plenty of coupons.

[Harley-girl]

Don't fret as soon as my fingers log in tomorrow and I can post I will. :)  Yes, his name is Jeff.
Nothing wrong with freebies and coupons, kids are so expensive.

Called my OB and they do not videotape the u/s. Bummer!! But they will give me photos.

[1twinmom]

Hey, with both sets of my twins I pumped for two weeks and then when the post partum depression set in I had to quit. My first set did very well with formula. The colostrum that comes before the milk is the best for your baby. They also had formula in the hospital too. My second set is now receiving donor breastmilk in the NICU and will until they come home and the nurses say formula is just fine for when they come home. I think every woman has to choose what is right for her. My sister LOVED breastfeeding and I never felt that way. Please don't let anyone pressure you into doing it out of guilt. Formula is great.