Breastfeeding?

So we tried for 4 weeks both breastfeeding and pumping and supplementing with formula before deciding to switch completely to formula. We had a few issues with breastfeeding, our LO had a tongue and lip tie, and I had flat nipples and my supply dropped off in the afternoon every day so when we swapped over she was a way happier baby because she was actually full and able to sleep. However, the biggest difference was in myself, I was so much happier and less stressed. In my opinion the benefits she gets from a happy mum who actually now enjoys motherhood when I hated it to begin with, far outweighs any benefit from breastmilk/breastfeeding. Don't get me wrong though, I definitely felt so guilty at the start but honestly life became so much easier and less stressful once we switched to formula. I had so much more time to spend with bub instead of worrying about pumping and cleaning the pump and all that. We've bonded so much more since stopping 😊

Thank you for sharing this. This resonates with me a lot. I'm so glad you and your kiddo are happier now ❤️

I breastfeed my 6 month old but bottle fed my two oldest that are now 10 and 7 they were bottle fed for my own mental wellbeing and that breastfeeding is incredibly hard! You've done amazing to get this far and she will already have loads of antibodies from you so dont worry 🥰 she will be absolutely fine over the winter l, no matter what they'll always pick bugs up but mum hugs and snuggles make it all better!
I couldn't even think about pumping, so go you for even doing that for this long 🙌 ❤️

This happened with my first. He was a preemie so he had to be on formula at first, then I tried just breastfeeding him, even though I was over producing it wasn't keeping him full so I started supplementing again and my supply kept dropping and dropping and I fought for months to get it back so I could keep supplementing. Around 5.5 months, I was making drops and asked myself why I'm still doing this. I switched him to full formula, stopped pumping/nursing, and we were all soo much happier.
If switching is something you think is better for everyone, I say go for it! My baby didn't get sick once I switched and still is a very healthy 2.5 year old. You're definitely not selfish for wanting to make this decision x

My daughter never took to the breast. I kept trying for 5 months and she did get a bit better at it at around 4 months but was primarily bottle fed breast milk and formula top ups every day. I suddenly became engorged on one side and my pumping supply tanked and I just couldn't face having to go back to 9 pumps a day to get it back so we weaned off the pump by 5.5 months. I was so much happier not having to find time to pump every day and she didn't care what she drank so was perfectly happy on formula. She rarely got ill... If your baby does attach to boob you could always just keep offering when you/they want and just stop pumping if that's what you've had enough of. Whatever you decide, you've certainly done yourself and her proud by sticking at it for SO long. Well done Mumma! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 xx

We changed to bottles when out and about bc he was way too interested in everything going on & basically wouldn’t feed. He now only feeds when sleepy in a dark room. Bottles meant he can look around & take a while with the milk without me feeling exposed and frustrated 🤣

My little boy is the exact same now. I basically just sit there with my tit out waiting for him to come back to it 🙄

this is what I’d have to do and although I was confident feeding in public unfortunately not this confident 🤣 also find it really over stimulating now😩