Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding
**Follow Up Post – How Me and Baby Are Doing Five Months into Only Formula Feeding**
I want to start by saying thank you so much to all of you that read my post, Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding – Why I’m Choosing to Formula Feed My Second Baby. Especially thanks to all of you who left comments and shared your own stories and experiences. It means a lot to me and I have felt nothing but support from all of you!
I wrote that post before my baby was born and since then, I’ve received several questions about how my experience went in the hospital and how it’s going with formula feeding my baby so far.
So here is an update on what my experience has been in these first five months!
I had heard some intense stories about how much the nurses and doctors at the hospital try to push you into breastfeeding. This was a big concern for me and I was nervous about what I would run into. I had been open with my OBGYN about my decision early on and she was on board with it. However, when you are staying in the hospital, there are lots of other nurses and doctors you deal with that may have their own opinion about the whole formula feeding thing.
Thankfully, I can say that I didn’t come across anyone that pushy. When I was checking in for my C-section, one of the nurses talked to me about breastfeeding the baby and wanted to know if I had any questions. I kindly let her know I would only be formula feeding and she was amazing. She fully supported my choice and gave me some good advice. She told me that when anyone asked me about breastfeeding to just sound firm in my decision when I answered them. She told me that if I sounded at all wishy-washy or even possibly open to trying to breastfeed again, then the nurses would push really hard at that point. She explained that they are trained to do that (at least at the hospital I was delivering at anyway).
So overall, my hospital stay went well. Most of the nurses were understanding and didn’t question my decision at all. A few of them did try to push for more information but I would just tell them I had a bad experience previously and left it at that.
At home, it has been a much better experience compared to when I breastfed my first daughter. As of today, I do not regret my decision at all and here are the two main reasons why:
1.) BABY IS HEALTHY
At just under five months, my baby is doing great! She hasn’t been sick. She is strong and active and alert. She is also a very healthy weight (in the 50% percentile). I think a big concern for some moms regarding only formula feeding is that their babies miss out on the antibodies that is produced in our breastmilk and worry their babies might get sick more easily. I know that was definitely on my mind when choosing to go the formula only route. However, my daughter is doing awesome and is a very healthy, happy baby.
2.) MOM IS HAPPY
I’m able to get more rest this time around because now my husband can help with the feedings. It works out great for us to take turns at night. We each get at least one longer stretch of sleep. This is huge for me because I am horrible when I’m tired! I am someone who desperately needs good sleep otherwise I feel completely off. On top of that, I feel like my husband is bonding more quickly with our second daughter and I’m wondering if maybe him being able to feed her from early on has something to do with it.
I also don’t have to worry about every little thing I put in my body. I was able to take my pain medicine without worry of how it would affect the baby and I can eat how I want.
All of these things add up to me being happier and less stressed this time around. Don’t get me wrong, things are FAR from perfect but at least in regards to feeding, I have no regrets and things are going very smoothly.
The only downfall I can see is the cost. Formula is expensive and when you breastfeed, it’s one less expense you have to worry about. To me though, the positives far outweigh the negatives. All I was worried about was making sure my baby was still strong and healthy and so far she is. My happiness is just an added bonus. 😊
So happy to have found your update on how things are going for you and your baby girl! I can only wish and hope to have as good of an experience as you have had. Only 5 more days until I will need to stick to my guns and ground and stand firm in my decision at the hospital for my baby girl. The whole wishy washy feeling totally makes sense in how nurses can see how your a little indecisive in your choice and can pressure you into it. I’ve even considered putting a printed sign on my door stating, “No Lactation Consultants!” Haha! I’m not fully convinced I should though. Glad to hear everything is going so well for you both! Thank you!!
I don’t know if you will even see this comment since this post was from over a year ago, but I’m considering going the formula route from the start with my second. How did you deal with your milk coming in after birth?
Thank you for reading my post and yes! I try to respond to as many comments as I can. 🙂 My experience was really similar to when I stopped breastfeeding my first daughter. They were extremely sore and I kept a sports bra on most of the time. I also used cabbage leaves and bags of frozen veggies (or whatever I had in the freezer) to put on them. It was very uncomfortable for a few days but then the pain went away as did the milk. I hope that answers your question! Feel free to email me with anything else! ~ Meghan | Electric Mommy Blog
Hey! What did you bring with you to the hospital to be prepared for formula feeding right away?
Hi! I actually brought with me some bottles of the Enfamil Newborn Ready to Feed Formula. It’s not the powder. It’s in liquid form and is already mixed and ready to go. I believe they came in packs of 6 individual, ready-to-use bottles. I brought two packs of those, which was more than enough, because the hospital I was at also provided me with the same formula. If you have any other questions, just let me know!