Some mothers have said the baby rejects the breast and pumping just wasn't enough

I'm leaning towards formula, I will be going back to work probably about a month or so after she's born (as I did with my first). I'm a waitress in a busy bar and pumping every few hours isn't feasible, I can't just tell my tables I will be back in 20 min I have to go pump. And I work anywhere between 5-10 hours a shift depending on the night. I will probably do the same that I did with my first is pump as much as I can at first but supplement and eventually just have to wean down on the pumping the more I work. Or I will just formula feed from the get go, i haven't figured it out yet.

Just keep in mind breast milk has life long benefits in reducing obesity, cancer and heart disease so just because a child was formula fed and is fine as an older child or even a young adult does not mean they will be fine. These diseases don't show up till later in life and we all know they are our number one killer. I would definitely encourage breastfeeding for even a short period if you can.

I'm the middle child of five. My mum tried to bf her first, and didn't like it. After 3 days, she used formula.

She didn't bother to attempt bf any of next four. We all turned out pretty ok.

Mum chose to ff mostly for convenience she said, so she could get a sitter to go out, have help overnight and be able to involve the other kids (once we were old enough).

Do whatever you feel comfortable with.

I formula fed my oldest and breast fed my youngest until she was 14 months old. My girls are 14 years old and 11 years old now and are both honor roll students and in AP/GT Classes. The only difference in health in the two is that my oldest (the one that was formula fed) never gets sick and has no health concerns, other than having to wear glasses/contacts. My youngest (the one that was breast fed) has allergies, severe eczema and asthma (she's on 3 different pumps) and gets sick alllll the time (I was religious about still eating healthy and taking my prenatal vitamins throughout the entire time I nursed).

I'm not telling you this to dissuade you from breast feeding, because I sure am going to breast feed this baby once she's born, but just to inform you that not all breast fed babies come out healthy as all get out vs formula fed babies and to not feel guilty if you choose one over the other. Good luck in your decision

My first three were formula fed and this one will be too. I am going back to work after only two weeks, and my husband will be mr mom, waking up at night and everything. We're buying babys only organic formula. My kids have all been very healthy and smart, so i'm not worried. If you can breastfeed, by all means do so, its free! You have to do whats best for your family though :)

Just because you breast feed does not mean your baby will have a better immune system and not get sick. I know plenty of breastfed babies that get sick all the time. I tried breastfeeding but was unable to since my milk never came in. My son was formula fed and has never been sick a day in his life and he is 20 months old. As for dry skin and breakouts im pretty sure that has nothing to do with whether you breast feed or not either. We all know breastfeeding is better but its not fair to judge kids on whether they get sick, have dry skin, or whatever else just cus one was breastfed and one was not. Every baby is diff.

Thank you for all the advice ladies!! I am going to try and breastfeed for as long as I can. On the other hand, if it doesn't work out, I'm not going to get too upset about it like I did with my first son.

My sd and 2 nephews were all both strictly formula fed, and I exclusively breastfed my son for the first 14 months. Based on my experience, I highly recommend you at least try breastfeeding.

All 3 get sick constantly...like once per month. My son is 18 months and hasn't been sick yet (and regularly gets exposed to whatever they get).

They all have issues with dry skin and breakouts which is one of the side effects of not getting breast milk.

My one nephew was breastfed for his first week and he is much better than the other two but there is without a doubt a difference in their immunities compared to my son.

Like other posts have said, just really educate yourself on breastfeeding... And I would suggest having a very small term goal in mind (even just the first week). Each day gets easier, and you don't often have issues with cracking after the first couple of weeks.

I don't judge anyone who ultimately doesn't breastfeed, but I do think it's crazy not to try. It means a lot for your lo's future...

I'm formula feeding and I'm doing it out of convenience and so I can get help from my husband/family. I don't plan on trying to breast feed at all and I was strictly a formula baby and I turned out just fine.

I will be formula feeding, I did with my son and I plan on doing it this time. The nurses and the pediatrician gave me a hard time about it in the hospital and I felt really judged. But I have really terrible pregnancies and I want to be able to enjoy my babies when they get here without the stress of learning to breast feed. People think it's this natural thing that just comes to us but most people I know had a hard time and really had to work at it. I am comfortable with my decision.

I have strictly formula fed all 3 of my kids and will as well with #4.

You never know how it will be this time around unless you try. It could be very easy. The worst that could happen is you switch to formula. I'd say give it a shot. It's better for the baby and better for you. If you decide you just are not enjoying it, you can switch to formula at any time. It's very difficult to do the opposite though

I had trouble bf my first daughter it was hurting and giving me cramps , and I was t doing it right ....so I just did strictly similac formula and my daughter is so amazing and wonderful and smart...and she's 2 now ...I'm going to just formula feed with this one too ...I'm just not cut out to bf ...go ahead judge me but that's what I plan on doing.

Just know that even a few weeks of breastfeeding is better than NO breastfeeding. I strongly encourage even moms who plan to strictly formula feed to try and nurse in the hospital so baby can get the colostrum.

I breastfed my first DS until he self weaned at 15 months, but he also got formula when I was away because pumping was a pain in the butt.

I want to work next spring, summer. So this DS might only breastfeed for the first 3-6 months before being switched over to formula.

I strictly formula fed my daughter (who is 1) and I will do the same with this little guy. I tried to bf with my daughter, but it was horribly painful and I had gestational diabetes so she had to eat within an hour of being born. I just chose to formula feed from them on. It was the best decision I could have made for myself and my daughter. It gave me an opportunity to tell my husband it was his turn and get a nap, shower or just sit for a bit by myself. The biggest reason I am formula feeding this one is that my daughter will only be 13 months when he is born. Between taking care of both babies, I already know I will have minimal time to myself. Choosing formula will give me the opportunity to have my husband/family help me if/when I need it.

My suggestion is to go to classes for bf. It should not hurt if it does the baby isn't latched on right. I bf my oldest for 6 mths. I kinda was forced because she was premature and they told me it was best for her When I stopped she developed a lot of allergies so when I had my 2nd daughter I was determined to do it for a year and I did it for 2. She gets sick less and she is super smart. This one I was planning on bf but he gave me a couple of stretch marks so he might get formula jk. I love breastfeeding their is nothing wrong with formula feeding. But you if you want to do breastfeed seek out help and stay committed. And invest in a good pump.

I formula fed with my 1st and 2nd. My last DD I did both but only up to 6 weeks then FF. I'm really going to try hard with this baby to breast feed but we will see.

My first two lo's were preemies I breast feed my first for a month but then stopped cuz he was just too little and wasn't working went to formula. My second I bf for about 4-5 months then decided to go to formula cuz I found it hard to bf. I wish I could have done it longer but I was younger and not very strong willed to do it. I am determined to bf this time around cuz it's cheaper and all that and I just really want to. I do not wanna formula feed at all hopefully it goes that way. I hope this helps a lil. Best of luck mama ?

I had two preemies and I had a difficult time breastfeeding them. I tried but gave up. And I ended up formula feeding both of them. I had to use soy because they were sensitive to regular formula. I plan on bf this one, I know a lot more about now it then i did then. I would recommend you just do a ton of research. And always remember, breastfeeding is not easy, its a learning process for you and baby, it can take months to get good at. But theres also nothing wrong with choosing to formula feed. You just have to do whats best for your family.

U can do both if u want..I did with my last 2 pregnancies when I'm home I breastfeed and when I gotta go to appointments or events I formula feed and it is easier for my boyfriend to help me with the baby while I'm doing errands or cleaning the house...

I had trouble breast feeding with my son also.. He wasn't a nicu baby but I got bleeding and cracked nipples and eventually had to start pumping. Then when my son was 3 weeks old I had gall bladder surgery and it made it even harder. The day I got out of the hospital from my surgery, my husband had to go out of town for work so I was left home alone with a 3 week old, recovering from surgery with a drainage bag coming out of my side and complications breast feeding so I gave up and went to formula. It was the hardest thing I had to do. I felt so defeated and crappy as a mother but I knew at that time it was best for me and baby. My son was strictly formula fed from then on.

Even with the troubles I had with him, I still plan on trying to breast feed for as long a possible this time around too. I know it will be hard if it doesn't work out again but any Breast feeding I can do will only help my little girl. Even I it's only for a couple weeks.

My sister strictly formula fed and her little girl is absolutely wonderful. I plan on breastfeeding if I can but am definitely not opposed to formula feeding. I'm a ftm so I can't give any real feedback yet, but I just wanted to say that whatever choice you make will be the right one for you and your baby and that's all that matters :)