i bottle fed with my first child, just didnt feel comfortable enough to do it...im on the fence about this one...ive talked to a friend and she says to just try it...so it sways me more that way...but then i thought about pumps and whatever else goes along with it...manual/electric....YIKES...any info would be greatly appreciated!!!

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Jaime

"Live each day like its your last"

I would say just go with your instincts. Other moms can give you good insight into what you really need. I bottle fed all three of my kids. I briefly entertained the idea of breastfeeding, but knew that it really was not for me.

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Michele
Member of the Welcome Wagon
http://mommysavers.com/boards/how-navigate-mommysavers/

When I was younger the idea of breastfeeding always kind of grossed me out. But with the birth of my daughter, I decided I would at least try it out. Turns out it wasn't gross for me and it actually is the easiest thing in the world! Neither of my babys ever had bottles. I even have the cutest little picture of my husband attempting to feed my daughter with a bottle - she had the most disgusted look on her face. We didn't even attempt it with my son.

I think it makes a difference on whether you are a stay at home mom or work outside the home! you can also breast feed mainly and supplement with formula when needed too, I think it just depends on your situation
I breast fed my dd for a few weeks, but she had reflux (it took them a while to diagnose what was wrong with her~she was only a little over 5 lbs when she was born and in the first 2-3 weeks was losing more weight, she was so tiny and it was so scary!) so that didn't work out because she couldn't keep anything down, and was feeding literally every 20 minutes around the clock, it was awful!
I am due with the second one in august and do plan to try again, hopefully this one will not have the issues and it will work out, good luck, the decision is yours! I was a firm believer in breast feeding until we realized medically she couldn't handle it, so when I was forced to put her on formula with the cereal and medecine, and she actually was healthier, I realized there is no sin in formula feeding and actually was quite thankful it was an option for me!

I also say go with your instincts. You could always try it and if you find you aren't comfortable you could switch to the bottle.

I breast-fed both of mine but I didn't 'enjoy' it like some people talk about. In fact, I felt outright tied down sometimes and wishing dh could grow breasts so he could get up in the night and help me out.

However, I was very motivated by how 'easy' it was (as in no bottles to wash or sterilize or formula to mix). It did take me a while to get the hang of it and I was very sore for the first bit.

I was also motivated by the savings. Breast milk is free and back in 1998 and 2000 our finances were really low so the fact that I didn't have to buy formula or bottles was extremely motivated to me.

I never did the pump thing .. but in Canada we get a year maternity leave so there was never any reason to pump. (Culturally here if a baby is under one and breast-feeding they can pretty much go anywhere with the Mom ~ even to weddings and such).

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I wanted to breastfeed, but we had latch problems, and even with the help of different lactation consultants, it just didn't happen. I chose to pump, and ended up getting a great deal on a nice Medela Pump in Style pump, and have been doing that for 4 months now. We've recently started adding formula to the expressed milk because I've had to go away for the whole day, and didn't have enough stored for DH. Now, if I know I'm going away for the day, I can supplement the formula and save up some of the expressed milk, and then DH can use that - she won't take straight formula.

You just do what you have to do. To me, it was important she got breastmilk, but I didn't care about the "delivery". I hope to pump for at least a year - now I've got a pretty good routine, so it's just part of my day. It's cheaper than formula too I do like the formula for back up though. Since we don't use a lot, I just get the ready mixed bottles.

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Trust yourself -- this is such a personal decision...some people are so pushy and judgemental about breastfeeding, I felt with DD #1 (who I nursed for 3 months) that if I fed her my milk it was very healthy and was made to feel like formula was "junk food" that is not right and it is sad when mom's can't support one another, so try not to fall into that trap!

I also felt "tried down" and resentful for DH for not taking a "more active" role with DD's I felt like I had to do everything and couldn't even enjoy a night our without being worried about DD's. Which was no fault of DH--he is an active Dad, he just couldn't feed or sooth her like I could.

I nursed DD's 1-3 for 3-4 months each and now with DD #4 who I considered not even trying to nurse, I am still nursing at 11 months!!! She has had bottles of breastmilk and bottles of formula on occasion and I no longer feel guilty about it. And as an added bonus I finally understand why people said it was "easier" because with DD's #1-3 it was easier to pack a bottle! Now I haven't had to worry about how long we were gone and about so many bottles drying on my counter! I can say that I feel like my bond with all of my girls is strong and that I don't feel the breast/bottle feeding has effected that aspect of our relationship.

This is getting long, but I had to add my 2 cents worth...which is basically, every Mom has a right to make her own decision about this without guilt! Every Mom has a right to sleep and happiness too and I say use all your tools to get those things accomplished! You love your baby and that will come through whether you ise breast or bottle!

I'm a full time pumper, too, because we had latch issues. DD is my 4th baby and my 2nd one that I've pumped full time. My 1st baby I pumped full time for 15mos with no formula (the 1st 12wks are very important for establishing supply so I worked my butt off and had a really good supply). My 2nd child nursed full time (would not take a bottle) for over 2 years. My 3rd child did both but after a year she just nursed until she was a little over 2.

This baby is 3 months old and I'd like to work on getting her back to the breast (she nursed fine for the 1st week) because pumping is so much more work. At the same time I like that dh can help. I'm now pumping 7xs in 24 hrs and get about 40oz. My freezer is full but I always give dd fresh milk because of the antibodies and other good stuff that gets 'killed' off in the freezer. I've been lucky in that I haven't had to give dd formula. There is an exclusively pumping board on ivillage and it has been very helpful/supportive. I think it takes a certain type of personality to stick with the pumping . I use a Pump in Style advanced.

OP, nursing in public is something that takes practice. Just practice at home (maybe even in front of a mirror) until you feel more comfortable. If you accidentally 'flash' someone then so what--why do you think God made boobs?

I think BF is a personal choice it all depends. I know of mothers who pump alot and I know If I had to do that no way could I have BF

I did get aLOT of people who told me BF was wrong esp my MIL she told me I was a bad mother for it. I honestly felt it all depends on the baby and mother.
I was glda I did BF and plan on doing it again but there are things that do happen and its not for everyone the thing that matters is you and the baby you need to do whats right for you not everyone else.

Im waiting to hear how bad a mother I am from My MIL again becaues I BF, cloth diaper and stay home. those things work for me. I know I amd a bad mother but I didnt need to hear it from my mil.

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Kelly mom to 2 gymmonkeys!!!

I have 2 boys- one I breastfed until he was 2 the second one was bottle.. he was toungetied and couldn't latch on- I was devistated.. I was a breastfeeding snob... well lemme tell ya- the nurse said to me in the hospital " Honey that baby boy is not gonna ride the short bus just cause you can't breast feed him" I needed that kick...
I guess the point of my post is- I am a firm believer in what is best for you and your baby - NEVER let anyone tell you one way is better or that you will be doing wrong by your baby one way or the other....
with both boys I was finding pros and cons to both ways.....
both ways were great- and they are both cute, smart and healthy!!!

so I suppose i am not much help other than to cheerlead!!! LOL

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I am a cooking and couponing loon!