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Categories » Newborn 101 » Breastfeeding » Breast or Bottle?

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Breast or Bottle?
HayliMoser

Rank: bean
Posts: 12
Joined: 1/8/09
Full Term
Breast or Bottle? | 1/9/09 7:41 PM
When my daughter was born last May I had planned the entire pregnancy to breastfeed. I read all the information I could find, I went out and bought a pump, I bought books on it and did everything I could think of to prepare myself. When she came I was so thrilled with my first breastfeeding experience even though the nurse was no help and I realized very quickly that reading it was totally different than putting it into practice. Well, that very first feeding was so special to me I couldn't wait to see how it went from there...however that was the last time I had a successful time feeding her. The nurses took her to the nursery and when they brought her back she had a passy in her mouth and after that she never latched on again. Everytime I tried she just cried and cried and I did all I could, I relaxed myself and tried my best to calm her down but nothing worked. I tried to pump whatever I could in the hopes that I could still give her at least some milk but I never got more than 2 ounces total out of both breasts. Of course I was so disappointed and angry at myself that I couldn't do this for my baby and eventually I gave up and stuck with the formula feeding. Now I'm expecting my second child in June and I'm having trouble decided if I want to give breastfeeding another try or not. Any advice?
Juliagulia78

Rank: sprout
Posts: 76
Joined: 10/30/08
Full Term
RE: Breast or Bottle? | 1/9/09 8:13 PM as a reply to HayliMoser.
First, I just wanted to say that I am so sorry that you did not have a very good first experience with breastfeeding!

I was dead set on breastfeeding as well and did the same thing: reading, reading and more reading and bought a pump. I can completely understand when you say that reading and preparing is completely different from putting it into practice. Even though you read that it is hard, you have no idea until you acutally try it, you almost expect it all to come naturally with little effort...not so!

I had a very hard first 2 weeks, especially the first couple of days! It was extra hard when I became engorged and she couldn't latch on and I could only pump a little. I almost gave up several times, but somehow I found the strength to continue on (don't know where that came from with all of the exhaustion) and once I past the 2 week mark, it was a BREEZE! I ended up nursing for 17 months and I LOVED IT!!! So special, so sweet, SOOO HEALTHY for BOTH of you, and FREE!!!!

It may be hard at first, but if you can both get the hang of it then you will not regret it!! And if it doesn't work out for you, then at least you tried. It definitely DOESN'T make you any less of a mommy or mean that you failed if it doesn't work and you have to switch to formula. Some women just can't produce enough milk and some babies just can't latch on.

I say DEFINITELY give it another try! It may not be for everyone, and that's okay, but the benefits are so great if you can. Oh and tell the L&D nurses no pacis this time! Good luck!
snowball164

Rank: out of the nursery
Posts: 135
Joined: 6/15/08
Full Term
RE: Breast or Bottle? | 1/10/09 3:44 AM as a reply to Juliagulia78.
Juliagulia78:
First, I just wanted to say that I am so sorry that you did not have a very good first experience with breastfeeding!

I was dead set on breastfeeding as well and did the same thing: reading, reading and more reading and bought a pump. I can completely understand when you say that reading and preparing is completely different from putting it into practice. Even though you read that it is hard, you have no idea until you acutally try it, you almost expect it all to come naturally with little effort...not so!

I had a very hard first 2 weeks, especially the first couple of days! It was extra hard when I became engorged and she couldn't latch on and I could only pump a little. I almost gave up several times, but somehow I found the strength to continue on (don't know where that came from with all of the exhaustion) and once I past the 2 week mark, it was a BREEZE! I ended up nursing for 17 months and I LOVED IT!!! So special, so sweet, SOOO HEALTHY for BOTH of you, and FREE!!!!

It may be hard at first, but if you can both get the hang of it then you will not regret it!! And if it doesn't work out for you, then at least you tried. It definitely DOESN'T make you any less of a mommy or mean that you failed if it doesn't work and you have to switch to formula. Some women just can't produce enough milk and some babies just can't latch on.

I say DEFINITELY give it another try! It may not be for everyone, and that's okay, but the benefits are so great if you can. Oh and tell the L&D nurses no pacis this time! Good luck!



She said it! I agree with giving it another try. I wasn't too successful with my first...(only made it 6 months)...but i gave it another try with my 2nd and he breastfed past 12 months.
Like she said the first couple weeks are the hardest.

But no bottles or pacifiers.

Sometimes once they get a bottle they realize it's easier than the breast and then refuse to nurse.

Give it a go and get support behind you. Husband, mothers, aunts. If everyone around you encourages you...it makes it a lot easier to press on.

 

 

babydoll07

Rank: seedling
Posts: 48
Joined: 12/26/08
Full Term
RE: Breast or Bottle? | 1/10/09 3:56 AM as a reply to HayliMoser.
Definitely, definitely try again.

If you're worried about the pacifiers, make sure that the hospital uses nuk, or orthodontic nipples. They're shaped the same as your breast, so it should mean less nipple confusion. And whatever you do, don't be afraid to be really ADAMANT with hospital staff. I truly believe that the hospital will do whatever is easier for them. My last son was in the NICU, so I had to pump to make my milk come in because he couldn't nurse and I would throw FULL ON FITS when I saw them using regular nipples. Especially when one nurse said he "was having trouble drinking from the orthodontic nipple". I said "funny, he's been doing it for the last three days. Don't use regular nipples ANYMORE." That was the last regular nipple they used. And we were able to go from bottles to breast, with hardly any trouble and I nursed him until he was about 18 months old.

Also, don't worry too much about what you can pump. Some women can't pump as much as they make. (happened to me a lot)
mkramer411

Rank: sprout
Posts: 63
Joined: 12/29/08
Full Term
RE: Breast or Bottle? | 1/12/09 1:50 AM as a reply to babydoll07.
I tried to breast feed with my first two children. I was not successful at all. My body wouldn't produce enough milk for them. They both lost weight and I ended up supplementing with formula. By the time they were between 1 1/2 & 2 months old, I was giving them only formula. That was 15 & 16 years ago. I have considered trying with my third (due on Jan 26th) But have opted to not even deal with the disapointment. I wish you well in whatever works for you.
Cate Cradle
RE: Breast or Bottle? | 1/12/09 4:53 PM as a reply to HayliMoser.
HayliMoser:
When my daughter was born last May I had planned the entire pregnancy to breastfeed. I read all the information I could find, I went out and bought a pump, I bought books on it and did everything I could think of to prepare myself. When she came I was so thrilled with my first breastfeeding experience even though the nurse was no help and I realized very quickly that reading it was totally different than putting it into practice. Well, that very first feeding was so special to me I couldn't wait to see how it went from there...however that was the last time I had a successful time feeding her. The nurses took her to the nursery and when they brought her back she had a passy in her mouth and after that she never latched on again. Everytime I tried she just cried and cried and I did all I could, I relaxed myself and tried my best to calm her down but nothing worked. I tried to pump whatever I could in the hopes that I could still give her at least some milk but I never got more than 2 ounces total out of both breasts. Of course I was so disappointed and angry at myself that I couldn't do this for my baby and eventually I gave up and stuck with the formula feeding. Now I'm expecting my second child in June and I'm having trouble decided if I want to give breastfeeding another try or not. Any advice?



Hello,
I am Cate Cradle, a member of the Cradle team. Congratulations to all of you on your pregnancies and/or new babies! I would like to suggest an article that may be helpful with this particular topic:

Breastfeeding 101
 
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