With DS1 I breastfed him up till 1 year when he switched to sippy cups. With DS2 I breastfed him up till 9 months when he was technically considered "Failure to Thrive" because I apparently don't produce much. With DS2 we're running into the same issue. He was switched over to formula at about 8.5 months or so because he was less than 1 percentile in weight (like Ds2).

I VERY much enjoyed the breastfeeding in the beginning and during the day! At night or when I was hurrying to feed so I could head out to my soccer game or something it was a bit of a pain but worth it for the convience of being able to feed him anywhere at any time. I also liked that I was saving a TON of money. Formula is SO expensive. Luckily at all our weigh-ins (and we've had a lot with this one), our dr has been giving me TONS of formula!

There's no wrong answer. If you think you might want to, then maybe you should try it. You could decide you love it and go with it, or you could decide you don't and can then switch to formula.

As for the pumps question, I never used them. I'm a SAHM so I'm with them pretty much all the time anyway. It does kinda stink to only have a limited time to get certain things done away from the home when DH is home with him, but I didn't find it was the end of the world. Even at 6 weeks with all my boys I was able to feed them, go play a soccer game and get back in time to feed them again! No big deal!

Good luck to you with whatever you decide!

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Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

I wanted to say hats off to all you ladies for not making anyone feel guilty about their choice. I had to be on a medication for my bladder after delivery, so I could pump and dump, and then try again after the medication. After 6 weeks of not being able to breastfeed, my son didn't seem to get the hang of it. Everyone said I wasn't trying hard enough. What an awful thing to say to a mother! I'm going to try again this time, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it. It's wonderful if you can, but no matter what, you shouldn't feel guilty.

Do whatever works for you!

I planned to completely breastfeed both of my girls. I was able to fully nurse for the first six weeks then I had latch and supply issues. I tried my hardest. I ended up pumping for the first 6 months and supplementing with formula when needed. My breasts were enormous and I just didn't understand how those darn thing didn't have enough milk. I SWORE I'd do better the 2nd tme but ended up needing to pump and serve with the bottle.

Whatever you do, you are a good and loving mother!

When I was still in the hospital after having my first ds, the lactation nurse was a total witch with a capital B! She made me feel like such a loser. I was having a hard time getting him to latch on and the poor little guy wasn't getting anything, so he would just cry constantly. I told her I wanted him to have a bootle and she no! She told me it was natural and every mom should be able to do it. Let's just say my time in the hospital was very depressing. Both ds and I crying day and night. As soon as I got home I started giving him a bottle and he was wonderful! If I knew then what I know now I would have told her that he was MY baby, not hers and I would feed him any way I wanted and to get the F#@% out of my face!

Can you tell I'm still a little bitter?

Anyway, you need to do was is best for you and your baby. Either way they will be just fine.

Gosh maybe im glad I didnt have any help. I barely saw a nurse the whole time I was in the hospital with my oldest. I had to call my friends to find out what to do. I didnt want to impose for the help I felt soo stupid.

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Kelly mom to 3 great girls A Peanut, a monkey and a little burrito.