Bottle Feeding Breastmilk, Newborn

Bless your heart!!!! My son (now 14 months and still breastfeeding) and I had a terrible time for about the first two weeks. He was crying because he was hungry and I was balling because nursing him hurt so bad. THIS PHASE DOES PASS!!! I promise! Try to give yourself two more weeks and struggle through the pain. You will be glad you did. Once you get past the initial "learning curve" for both of you it will be much easier to pump a bottle and leave for a few hours knowing you baby will be fed. Try to remember your baby is only doing what Mother Nature intended her to do. If pumping or formula is better for you then so be it, but at least give her some time to get settled. Look for a La Leche League in your area. They helped me tremendously through the first few weeks. Send me a private message if you need a shoulder to cry on!!

I haven't done yet, but I plan to. I'm pg with our 2nd child and I'm not going to nurse for the reasons you stated. I don't want to feel trapped, I'll need help with feedings when family is around since I'll have two kids to care for, etc.

I breastfed my first child and I know I can't do it this time, so I plan to pump and feed that way.

Good luck, I hope it works for you!

I pumped and bottlefed and really enjoyed it. It can be a pain to clean all the pumping equipment, plus bottles, all the time, but I found it to be less work than actually breastfeeding, because my hubbie was able to help me. One of us would feed the baby and the other would wash the stuff afterwards. We have moved to formula now, so it is ALOT easier, but I liked the fact that my son got the breastmilk for awhile at least. It worked really well for us, but the only way you will know if it works for you is to try it out. But don't feel guilty about not breastfeeding. Sometimes us moms try to do too much and it is never a bad thing to try to make the work easier:) Good Luck!

When I started breastfeeding, I had a little bit of a flat nipple, so I was given a nipple shield to use. I looks like a tiny sombrero with a few holes in the end. It helped lessen the pain so much that I would use it on both sides and continued for a few months. I went back to work after 2 months, so I had to start pumping since I refused to use formula. Your baby is supposed to be more effective than a pump, so you might start having problems if you only pump, but for the occasional feeding, it shouldn't be a problem.

First of all, make an appointment with a lactation consultant, if you have one near you, because if it's unbelievably painful, then she might not be latching correctly. Secondly, you can pump and give bottles and still keep nursing. I just wouldn't throw in the towel on nursing just yet. But so that you can take a break, go for it. Both of my kids nursed and took bottles from day one - no "nipple confusion." You can also try a nipple shield for a little bit - they don't nurse quite as well, but man, does it make it less painful. Then when she's a little bigger, try without the shield. Good luck!

Hang in there! I too felt the same way but believe me, it does get easier! Much much easier! I highly recommend that you make an appt with a certified lactation consultant (Morton Plant Hosp has a GREAT one named Lucille that can help you!). It is free and you can do phone or in person by appt. This will help you with proper pain free latch ( it shouldn't hurt) and also with possible pumping/bottle feeding the right way. She can answer all your questions!

As for pumping and bottle feeding, it is not not not recommended until the baby is a little older ( maybe 2 months I think). This is because you are still currently establishing your milk supply based on the baby's needs.... Hence the importance of feeding on demand whenever she starts rooting or acting hungry and feeding as long as she wants. Once your body has adjusted and is making all she needs, then you could consider pumping to have others help with bottles here and there. Another reason to wait ( and talk to a professional) is because a pump will NEVER pull out as much milk as a baby will at a feeding. Pumps work well, but not like a baby therefore your body will think less was eaten/needed and produce less in response. This can start the bad downward spiral of making too little milk, turning to supplementing, which results in even less nursing sessions and on and on.... Until baby is eventually eating more formula than was intended because of the cause and effect.

Right now you are in a major adjustment time, actually the whole family is! Have other family help with the toddler more rather than them feeling the need to help with the baby's feeding. You are doing the very best thing you can do for your baby and yourself! Keep going to establish good supply and bottles can come in time (feels like forever, but it's not). See a lactation consultant or Le Leche League and ensure proper latch. Dr Sears books ('Breastfeeding' and 'Attachment Parenting') are great as well as forums and info on sites like Dr Sears, mothering.com, kellymom.com You can get good info there too on feeding while out and about... Using a good sling or just sticking to nursing rooms until things are better established and it's easier to latch without feeling exposed. That will all come with time, baby needs time to learn and get good at it too!

You have made a wonderful decision, hang in there, it's worth it!

I exclusively pumped for my two daughters. 14 months for the first and 12 months for my second. It is what worked for me and my family. For the first few months I would pump every 3-4 hours to establish a strong supply. I then was able to pump when I woke in the morning, once in the afternoon and then before bedtime. I was able to pump approx 10-20 oz per pumping session. Some tips: pump until you empty each breast then continue to pump for 2-3 more minutes to increase the demand which will give you more supply; drink a lot of water and increase the amount of calories you eat each day; invest in a good, electric double pump (first baby I rented a hospital grade one - LOVED it but it's not really portable, second baby I used Medela Pump in Style: very good); learn how to store your milk - I think 4 hours room temp, 24 hours fridge, 3-4 months freezer, 6-12 months deep freeze - check La Leche League to be sure; check out www.exclusivelypumping.com
I have had a variety of reactions from people regarding this but I am very proud of the fact I was able to supply breastmilk for my two babies as long as I did. For a number of reasons (including extreme prematurity) it was what worked best for me and my babies. You can do it - I didn't think it was that hard - you just have to be committed to it. Good luck, you can do it!

I had to pump with my second child because he was in the NICU for a while after he was born. He was fed breastmilk and formula because I couldn't produce enough to just feed breast milk. I, too, had a small child at home and it was tough to pump and take care of my older child and a newborn. I only pumped morning, noon and night and mixed it with formula. I only lasted about 5 weeks because I just became miserable having to pump during the day with so many other things to do and being at home by myself. So, I put my baby on formula exclusively and never looked back. Do what makes you happy. Your baby will be fine either way.

It's absolutely doable. The important thing is the baby will get the benefit of your breastmilk. As far as the tenderness and soreness - that won't go away if you start pumping exclusively until you put something on your breasts to help them. Get some Lansinoh cream for nursing mothers and slather it on there. If you are worried that you just applied it and baby is hungry, you can wipe it off and then re-apply when you are done nursing or pumping. It really will help. I always applied right after nursing or pumping every time.

Good luck!

Please don't make your decision this quick! The baby is only 3 days old and you are having the same reaction I had. But I am so glad I kept at it. The latching on takes a few weeks to learn. If you can't relax and enjoy the time of bonding with your baby, I would say you need to just give it formula.Babies can feel your tension. My daughter was a little under 2 years when her new baby brother was born and I tell you, IT TAKES ALOT OF TIME TO GET USED TO HAVING TWO. I would often feel sorry for myself that I couldn't go out and do things i could with one child. For six months I hardly got out. But now things are great and I am so glad I kept breastfeeding him! We both love the time we spend with eachother and he is Mama's little man!

Nothing is wrong with pumping and/or feeding your precious little one formula. I totally feel your pain...my first 2 kiddos would only nurse and never took bottles so I was trapped and could never leave them with anyone or get help from my hubby. Of course it's harder the 2nd time around b/c you have another toddler to care for. I had my 3rd almost 7 months ago and started out exclusively breastfeeding (as well as pumping bottles); started supplementing with 1-2 formula bottles around 4 months and now at 7 months she's on all formula.....and I'm loving the freedom from the pump and the ability to take my 2 and 4.5 year old out and about without worrying about finding a place to nurse, as well as keep my 2 year old contained while I did it.

So don't beat yourself up....just do what's best for you, your new little one, and your family! Congrats!!!

That's what I'm doing. I have an 8 day old(and a 3 yo)and I pump quite a bit. at first he nursed exclusively but by day 3-4 it hurt so bad I just had to pump! Also, don't be afraid to give your baby some formula too. Good luck, I know it can be quite frustrating but don't give up, it will get better.

I pumped and bottle fed my first daughter. Did it for a whole year. Yes it's a pain but I figure it's worth it. At night I would pump and my husband would feed her. That way i wasn't up all night. Lots of team work. Make sure you get a good pump. we rented the same model that the hospital used. Was able to do both breasts at once. Wasn't cheap , about $50 a month. Good luck

I exclusively pumped and bottle-fed my breastmilk. I had terrible post-partum depression, and I can completely relate with the feelings you are having about breastfeeding. Pumping is great, although it is also time-consuming. But I bonded better w/ my son b/c I was constantly frustrated EVERY time he was rooting and I knew I would have to breastfeed soon. It was very difficult for me and made the depression worse. You have to do what is right for you and for both of your children.
Not that I advocate stopping breastfeeding, but for me and my family, and mostly my sanity, I stopped after 3 wks and went onto formula. The depression was too much for me and it was affecting bonding w/ my new baby. I would definitely try the pumping first though, b/c that helped a lot.
Good luck and remember it is SO normal to feel that way! Breastfeeding is EXTREMELY difficult, especially at first. It is OK to stop if you want or pump exclusively. You have to do what is right for YOU and your family.

I am pumping breast milk, feeding from the breast, and using formula! My on is two weeks old. I planned to feed only by the breast but he was losing too much weight and was forced to supplement with forumla. I then started pumping some milk because he was being so fussy and unfocused while breastfeeding but I wanted to give him the breast milk. I feed him forumla at night as it keeps them satisfied longer. I know get 3-4 hours of sleep at a time ;-)

If you are miserable then the baby will be as well. Do what is right for you and your baby will be fine! At least that is what the lactation consultants tell me.

I was the same way. Everyone told me about how wonderful breastfeeding was and what a bonding experience it was, blah blah blah. I hated every minute of it. I pumped and fed my son for the first 6 months of his life, and then I ran into supply problems. Make sure you pump very regularly - if you miss a couple, you'll see supply issues. But it's totally worth it!