exclusive breast feeding

I know many had come with the same topic, but very recently i'm mind is totally into this.
my sister gave birth a week ago- she is breastfeeding, formula feeding also pumping breast milk. she said her doctor asked her to give formula milk & breast feed  alternately the first few days until milk comes in.
This is my first pregnancy & have no idea at all.
Is it true that we should alternate between breastfeed & formula milk. But i heard colostrum is good for babies.
I'm planning to exclusively breastfeed, no matter how many days it takes for the milk to come in- can i do like this?
advice pls. ladies.

[energy_train]

This is my third baby and neither of my other kids have had a day of formula in their lives.  I'm not against it, it just worked this way.  Any lactation consultant will tell you that alternating before the first month is up will cause nipple confusion and the colostrum is all the baby needs those first few days- he/she will get plenty. Your body knows what to produce and I've NEVER heard of a doctor telling you to alternate until milk comes in. More nursing means milk comes in quicker.  My milk came in the day I went home from the hospital with both kids. With my first, my daughter, it came in before we left (2 days after delivery) and with my son, it came in about 2 hours after we got home (again, 2 days after delivery).  I again am planning to exclusively breastfeed.  If you give a baby a bottle before the first month is up, nursing becomes very frustrating for them because the bottle gives IMMEDIATE gratification where as when they nurse, they have to work a little harder to get a let down.  If they don't know the difference, nursing is easy.  If they understand the difference, many will start to quickly prefer the bottle and nursing becomes something they won't do. I would NOT switch between the two at first.  Many people have to do both if going back to work but they don't introduce the bottle until at least a month old. Breastfeeding isn't as easy and as natural as it sounds- many days it's frustrating, painful, and a constant wonder if your child got enough or if their latch is right or you have mastitis or thrush but it's SOO rewarding and such an awesome bonding experience and I wouldn't trade a minute of it. I am only telling you this because I went into it with my first thinking it would be super easy and Oh so natural like it looks. I quickly found out that it isn't as easy as it looks, but IS very worth it- especially looking back.  Good luck with your little one!

[kindergal]

My twins were a bit premature....36 weeks.  My daughter was 4lb. 15 oz and her body temp. dropped some.  The pediatrician on call had us do a bit of formula trying to raise her temp. It worked and we did not have to send her to the NICU.   I had to pump in the hospital because at 36 weeks, mine were unable to give that hard suck needed for breast feeding.  I am still pumping at home as we are still struggling with latching on and staying on.  We have had to add a bit of formula from time to time if my milk was low....some days I have tons and others I do not.  Of course, I am trying to feed two so that maybe has a bit to do with it.  
You have to do what is best for you and your child.  My daughter is slowly getting the hang of it.  My son just looks at my nipple and gets cross-eyed!  HA!  I told my Dr. he is like a teenage boy seeing his first boob!  HA!  
Yes, if possible get the lactation consultant to work with you right away.  She can also show you ways to get breast milk in them without a bottle if your child has a hard time latching on at first...we used a syringe and a dropper/tube for a few days.  Unfortunately, at my hospital the lac. con. was gone by the time I had my c section on a Friday and she does not come in on Sat. or Sun. so I did not get time with her until the day we were leaving...ugh!  I do not mind pumping and bottle feeding because my dh can help me with feedings...and with two I need help!  But, it would be much easier if they could do it regularly.  But like I said, we each have to do what works for us and what is best for our children.  I would encourage you to have a bit of formula on hand just in case you find you need it.  I remember my brother in law having to do a midnight run for formula when my sister's milk was not in at all after several days and her baby was still very hungry.  He did the bottle and then had no trouble latching on and nursing from her once her milk supply came in.

[jenandjon]

Unless your baby starts losing alot of weight (they normally lose a little that first week or two) I would just exculsively breast feed with no formula.  Mine have never had a day of formula, just fresh and pumped milk.  Hope things go well for you.

[sdbaby]

Thanks for ur replies ladies.
I was like if that was the case, I could get some feeding bottles, formula ready in hand. But I would like to breast feed. But my dr. hasnt told anything about formula milk, when I said I'ld breastfeed , she said "good".
Hope everything goes well. We all are getting closer to our due dates. Goodluck.

[carpediemforlife]

I just finished a breastfeeding class and Energytrain is exactly RIGHT! Breast is enough at min the first 30 days or longer.... before you introduce a bottle using breast milk or formula. Its not an easy process but get with a lactation consultant to help you out.