There was no question when I had Carter that I was going to breastfeed. Or at least give it the first six weeks and if I still hated it after that, then I would re-visit the decision for breast or bottle. Though it was FAR from my favourite activity, we I nursed that kid for 9 months and then began formula in preparation for my returning to work, and since I work on active construction sites, the option of pumping at work was well – NOT an option.
Not to mention the overwhelming ‘encouragement’ for so many people/books/doctors that “Breast is Best!”. My doctor, herself, is a breast feeding consultant and very much pro nursing. Not that she’s ever even tried to influence my decision, but, I would just feel like I was letting her down if I decided to bottle feed instead.
[No pressure!]
A number of my friends bottle feed their children after trying nursing for a very short time or not at all. A couple didn’t even make it through the first three days of nursing before moving on to the bottle.
[To each their own, I know that.]
But I see the ‘freedom’ that they get to experience with bottle feeding. Husbands help out, older children help out. They get to nap and even have the opportunity to leave the house sans bebe.
It all sounds so appealing.
I find nursing confining, uncomfortable, restricting, embarrassing (in public), inconvenient. I could go on and on… but I do it because it’s efficient, cheap and did I mention CHEAP? (Yes, it could be free, but it’s not because there are creams, nursing pads, and pumps – which all still don’t add up to the cost of formula).
Why all this blabbering.
I’m on the fence this time. I don’t know what I’d prefer to do. Nurse or bottle feed.
It’s a personal decision and I just haven’t made mine yet.
** I just needed to write it out and think it through. I am really not looking for ass-vice as I know the benefits and negatives of both. I don’t need to hear about how breastfed babies are smarter (which I think is complete bullshit, by the way) or bottle fed babies can dance by 6 months. Whatever. Please don’t link me to shit that will just piss me off. I’ve read it all before. kthxbi!
Shania says:
I think there are no comments because we’re all scared to piss you off! ;} You’ll choose what’s best for you and heck on everybody else.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Gina says:
I definitely think that everyone should do what is most comfortable for them. I personally loved nursing my babies, but I think that if you are uncomfortable doing it, then the bay will sense it too and what kind of experiance is that for them? Better for both of you that you comfotably and happily bottlefeed.
The only thing that bothers me about the whole breast vs bottle thing (other than the fact that I hate when we women do that hateful shit to each other) is when non-breastfeeders get “offended” by people nursing and expect us to go hide in some dirty bathroom, or when people think it’s “gross” or “icky” (swear to god, a woman I know actually said that to me when we were both pregnant – and I laughed because I knew her well and knew she wasn’t particularly discriminating about other bodily contact and thought it was pretty funny that THAT was where she drew the line.
Gina’s last blog post..Big Fat Copycat Post
May 8th, 2008 at 11:00 am
girl says:
I am a breastfeeder. I nursed all my children but I won’t lie and say that sometimes I didn’t wish I had atleast given them a bottle occasionally, no matter what was in it. I am 100% glad I nurse but sometimes I just wanted a break especially when my Doogal bit me so hard I bled and still wanted to nurse on the wound.
You have to do what’s right for you period. And no one should question what IS right for YOU.
I do however agree with Gina. It pisses me off when people snub me for nursing in public. It’s not like I am hanging my vagina out for all to see.
girl’s last blog post..I broke Mother’s Day
May 8th, 2008 at 11:14 am
LD says:
I had this exact issue myself before I had Chloe.
Totally agree. Totally.
I made the decision to bottle feed and went to the hospital with bottles and the pre-mixed formula ready to go.
And then I decided to “try it” and she latched on and I chose to breastfeed. It was easy and has continued to be easy. Exact opposite of breastfeeding with Matt.
If it hadn’t been that easy it would have been bottles. I don’t care what people say.
But, we are supplementing. I go to bed and Mike does a bottle so i get some sleep.
LD’s last blog post..Who Needs a Personal Trainer?
May 8th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Lexi says:
To thine own self be true!-and screw the rest.
I tried SO hard to BF bc Formula is so expensive…and it didn’t work out. And it is nice that dad can take a night feeding once in a while.
If you do decide to go the bottle route…Target-brand formula is $10.89 for a big-assed can.
Lexi’s last blog post..YAY!!!
May 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Jen says:
Sounds like yesterday’s conversation got you thinking, eh friend?
As you know, I bottle feed…I’m still feeling a bit guilty for not trying to breast feed longer, but, hey…I’m sure Baby B will be just fine.
Whatever you choose, it’s the right decision..right?..right!
May 8th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
dana says:
I remember having this same debate myself. After four months of nursing, it was hard to continue. And the guilt I felt for contemplating ending nursing was miserable. Funny enough, my son lost interest in breast feeding a few weeks later. The bottle was faster for him (I pumped into bottles every so often).
dana’s last blog post..Attack of the Pod Preschooler
May 8th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
the weirdgirl says:
I did a combo, pump and formula, but it was all through the bottle. He wouldn’t latch on and I wasn’t producing quite enough breastmilk to fill him up. And you know what? It was fine. Do whatever works for you.
Honestly, I didn’t even feel guilty. I think there is a whole guilt machine with motherhood. Somehow we’re supposed to feel guilty about this, this, and this, and if we don’t feel guilty then we should feel guilty about not feeling guilty. Who needs it?
(P.S. I also think that whole breastfeeding = higher IQ is bullshit too. Those studies don’t account for all the data, such as the breastfeeding mothers studied tended to have higher IQs than the non-breastfeeding mothers. Higher IQs in parents tend to produce higher IQ’d children, etc. etc.)
the weirdgirl’s last blog post..Ah, and it has that clean citrus smell too!
May 8th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
ali says:
i nursed all three of mine until they were six months. and i introduced the bottle early so i knew they would take it. that’s what i did..and that’s what worked for me
May 8th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
andi says:
I wish you luck on figuring this out. Just think, for all the obsessing that we mothers do about these very issues, in the long run is it going to matter all that much? Is Junior going to have to answer how he was fed as an infant during a job interview? I’m kinda doubting it.
I nursed both of mine. Didn’t particularly enjoy it with #1, but felt like it was something I was supposed to do. With #2, I surprised myself by actually enjoying it (you know, after a truly nasty and painful beginning and one ER visit, ahem). I was also over being embarrassed to feed the second one in public. I was discreet and feel confident that no one got too much of my boob in their field of vision.
Bottom line – do what keeps you happy and sane and is good for your kids.
andi’s last blog post..Keeping you in the loop
May 8th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
pam says:
So, wow, 13 days to go huh? Man, that’s like really soon!
(not chiming in on the BF subject, don’t feel the need to share my experience with you, it doesn’t matter, don’t care which you choose as long as you’re happy, baby is happy and you promise to post lots of pictures of soon to be born baby, thanks)Oh, and if said baby DOES dance by 6 months, DEFINITELY youtube that.
pam’s last blog post..“My Mom” by Braden Nash
May 8th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Mrs. Schmitty says:
I bottle fed all of my kids. I had a really difficult time the first time around which scarred me for the other two. I think it’s all preference and you should do what is right for you and what you feel is right for your baby.
Mrs. Schmitty’s last blog post..2008 Blogger’s Choice Awards
May 8th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Mrs. Mustard says:
My dude would NOT take formula, even when I wanted a reprieve. He would hardly take a bottle with breast milk in it. So he nursed for 14 months. And never got to go out alone unless it was between feedings. Fun.
I’ve heard nursing baby #2 is much harder simply because of the toddler being in your face/on your lap/wanting attention all the time. I’m determined to do it anyway, but I know it won’t be a cakewalk, that’s for sure!
Mrs. Mustard’s last blog post..Baby, you can stay in there just a while longer
May 8th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
candygirlflies says:
Repeat after me:
“Happy Mummy, Happy Baby!!”
You do WHAT EVER it takes to be happy. WHAT EVER that may be.
(And for the record… I bottle fed all three of my kids. They are all healthy, strong, and– dare I say it??– “above average”. Don’t let ANYBODY make you feel guilty, no matter what decision you make.)
Wishing you much love– and happiness!!
xoxo CGF
candygirlflies’s last blog post..A most appropriate dessert.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Brenda says:
I totally understand. I was there a while back. I was determined to BF Kyle…and I did for a few weeks. But man, it was hard. He was great and I enjoyed it, but I couldn’t stand the lack of sleep and lack of freedom.
So I switched to bottle….for my sanity. Happy mommy means happy baby. and I haven’t regretted it.
I know it’s a hard decision. I know you will do what you think is best hon. ((hugs))
Brenda’s last blog post..It’s here again!
May 9th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Miss Britt says:
OK, I am so offering ass-vice here.
Ready?
Chill out. Don’t feel the need to decide now. Every baby is different. And you AND your baby will figure this out when it’s time.
XO
Miss Britt’s last blog post..Terrified
May 9th, 2008 at 8:51 am
janelle says:
i totally understand your predicament. but can’t you do both? breast and bottle feed? i did with my noah from about 4 weeks until 9 months when he went to all bottle. i would breastfeed during the day and the nights but he would have a bottle either at dinner time or bed time. giving me freedom to concentrate on my other son or cooking or to go out for a few hours if needed to have me time…
all the best =)
May 9th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Michele says:
I agree with whoever said “Happy Mommy=Happy Baby”, but it still doesnt make the decision any easier to make.
I came via Dad Gone Mad’s Links of Love to say hi. Very pretty blog you got here. Pink and green is my favorite color combination.
Michele’s last blog post..Handsome Males Seek Links of Love
May 9th, 2008 at 10:12 am
shawna says:
FYI–I never had a pump nor creams and loved breastfeeding! But I only did it for a couple of months as I didn’t seem to produce enough milk for my guy.
shawna’s last blog post..Not Always Easy Being Green
May 9th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Michelle says:
Good luck deciding!
I always knew I was gonna breastfeed, but you know what? It wasn’t as easy as I thought it was gonna be, especially with my second. But oh, the pressure to breastfeed! Made me seriously doubt myself. I wasn’t trying hard enough, blah blah. But in the end when we did switch to formula everyone was happier for it.
I think you will know what is right for you once that baby comes. And I hope you won’t feel guilty, whatever you end up doing (the guilt isn’t worth it, trust me).
Michelle’s last blog post..Rocky
May 9th, 2008 at 11:38 am
justmylife says:
It is a personal decision, I bottle fed both of the boys and breastfed the girl, the last one. I hated hearing all the crap I was given on both sides of the debate. Bottle vs. Breast. All my kids are rotten! There is no difference between any of them, they are all smart, cute, walking, talking and get on my nerves! Trust your heart and head, do what is best for you. In the end, it is the love they get that counts! But that is just my opinion.
justmylife’s last blog post..Another spring holiday, can I take it.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Heather says:
I agree with Janelle, can you do both?
My daughter couldn’t master breast feeding. We tried for months, with lactations consultant and nurses, and she only latched on twice. So I pumped, and it sucked HARD (look at that pun!), but it gave her the breast milk AND it gave me some freedom. Since she was small, we also supplemented with formula.
Unfortunately, my milk never fully came in, and by month three, I was all dried up. I was so thankful we’d given her formula, so when we had to make the switch to formula full-time, it was much easier. And honestly? I wasn’t too sad about not pumping anymore.
This is all a long-winded way to say, “thank goodness for options!”
May 9th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Deb (Missives From Suburbia) says:
I found a certain amount of freedom in nursing, too — freedom from washing bottles and from listening to a screaming child while trying to get the temperature “just right”. (I never could figure that out fast enough.) But now that I have a second one on the way, there’s a part of me that really hopes the kid will take a bottle — my first one never did — because nursing all the time for 14 solid months really took a lot of effort.
Found you on BlogNosh. Love your design work. I may tag you for a redesign soon.
Deb (Missives From Suburbia)’s last blog post..How I Spent My Mother’s Day
May 13th, 2008 at 3:30 pm