Breastfeeding vs Formula - study question
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Topic: Breastfeeding vs Formula - study question
Posted By: padthai
Subject: Breastfeeding vs Formula - study question
Date Posted: 07 September 2009 at 8:44pm
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Hi everyone
I am currently studying for a Diploma in Childbirth Education...currently I am working on an essay about decisions parents make when choosing what to feed their babies. If you are able, would you mind answering the following questions about your experiences of breastfeeding/formula as I want to capture as many opinions as possible... Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa? If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? You can answer all or some of the questions...any help is gratefully received! Many thanks in advance. PT |
Replies:
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 07 September 2009 at 9:11pm
I bf both times because;
When Isabelle switched to formula I actually asked on here what people were using and thats how I made my decision as to which one to use. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 07 September 2009 at 9:37pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
-Chose to bf first time, but needed a breast reduction and couldn't bear the pain in one breast (long story). Also son was a bad latcher and wasn't offered help with it. Switched to formula at 3wo. 2nd child - have had my breast reduction so decided for my own health (as well as avoiding PND via hormone changes etc) to go for FF this time. If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? -First time, no not at all (my midwife made me feel terrible about it). I asked on here about types of formulas and got some info from one of the ladies on here about offering water as well. 2nd time (and different midwife) I was given the opportunity to have heaps of info, but obviously already know it having done it before. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? -No products really, but I did feel better that modern day bottles like Avent ones can help reduce colic etc in bottle babies. I also liked that S26 was a consistency close to breastmilk (which is what #1 was used to as I had been expressing). Hope that helps 
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 07 September 2009 at 9:46pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
I firmly believe breast is best. Its very convenient & cheap! Nothing really influenced me, I suppose seeing alot of my family BFing did however. If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? n/a Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? I could answer this with what breastpump & bottles we use, but they didn't influence my decision to BF. Just makes things a little easier with returning to work. |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 07 September 2009 at 9:58pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa? First time round no, I just breastfed because that was what I was recommended to do my my midwife, antenatal classes etc. Second (and third lol) time I was determined to breastfeed as baby #1 had complex allergies, but it didn't work out and after 3 months of EBM feeding I gave up. Fourth time I was determined to get it right and am still feeding at 14 mths, she's never even had a drop of formula,but it's been solely my own determination - lots of other people have told me it would be "okay" to give up, I just don't want to.
If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? My midwife with the gremlins was very supportive of me FFing (or mixed feeding which we did to start with) and in fact told me I was being too hard on myself with the expressing. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? Not really. People talk about a lack of info for formula feeding mums but I don't really understand that - we bought Avent bottles coz they happened to match the breast pump we had, and we followed the directions on the can. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: RoSee
Date Posted: 07 September 2009 at 10:05pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
Very much so... it is well advertised that 'breast is best' so I chose to breastfeed. After 7 weeks I felt like Ty wasn't satisfied from breastmilk and so started giving him a formula top up after each breastfeed. It became increasingly harder to keep him interested in breastfeeding so after around 4 months I switch to exclusively bottle feeding. I think the amount of pressure to not bottle feed is completely ridiculous. I have an extremely happy healthy SETTLED bottle fed baby. If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? Common sense. I believe that because of my own diet it was best to bottle feed as being a single parent with a newborn there is little time to create 3 healthy meals a day with all the required nutrients! I was eating fast meals when I had time so thought he would not be getting what he needed from breastmilk. I also found there was little information once I had decided to formula feed... everything is about breastfeeding, there is little information for those who want to bottle feed. I guess word of mouth was the only thing for me to help decide which bottles, formula etc... to use. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? No ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
September '11
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Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 07 September 2009 at 10:40pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa? I think it all comes down to making an informed decision, breastfeeding was the only option for us as I wanted to give my baby the best start, I have severe food allergies/asthma/eczema & anaphylaxis so it was crucial that I breastfed to try and prevent these being passed down to him and with all the antibodies, iron and immunity they get from Mum's milk - it's really a no brainer! Mum's breastmilk is made specifically for baby, it truly is amazing how the body/nature works. It's a shame that not every woman embraces breastfeeding, but definitely is a case of each to their own. What works for some doesn't always work for others. Formula never came into the equation for us. I think the fact that I was living with my parents (Solo Mum) and my mother was VERY pro-breastfeeding, that helped me a lot. Support with breastfeeding is a must, we had a real hard slog with several mastitis infections and latching issues for the first 3 months, but shear determination got me through and we managed to reach 23 months without ever using a bottle, never expressing and no formula! I would have continued longer if it wasn't for me needing an op on my ovaries when he was 23 months, with the cocktail of painkillers/meds I was on following that operation I wasn't prepared to bf and risk them passing through my milk. Hope my answer helps :) Best of luck with your assignment, I was contemplating doing that course last year, whats it like? You enjoying it? (I'm assuming its the one through Aoraki Polytech) |
Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 07 September 2009 at 11:03pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
- I knew that breastfeeding is considered best back home and made sure I chose health professionals who would support my choice to BF. I had my baby at what is considered the most "mother friendly" hospital in Singapore and they are also VERY pro BF. C ended up arriving 8 weeks early so I was even more determined to BF exclusively for at least the first 6 months, and hopefully 1 year. As it turned out, we had quite a lot of trouble with the latch because I have big @@ and small nipples and of course C was teeny so I smothered him  But we got off to an OK start and I BF for the first 4 months exclusively but then started giving formula top ups as C was slow to gain weight. At 4.5 months we switched to all FF as my supply was getting worse and it was really stressing me out.
If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? - I got lots of information from C's paediatrician, the midwives at the Well Baby clinic we attend and also from friends who were FF. The midwife and the paed in particular were VERY supportive of switching as we had had such a long road with a premmie and all that goes with it. They answered all my questions, helped me BF for as long as I could and supported me in my decision to FF. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? - Not really, although I had bought an Avent manual pump at a Baby Fair prior to C being born - thank goodness! As I ended up having to pump 3 hrly to get my milk in while C was in the NICU and too small to try BF. Then I was pumping 3hrly to tube feed him till we switched to BF. So that pump was like another limb for a while! ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 8:15am
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
I had my family in law repeatedly telling me just because you have a lot of milk doesnt mean that it will be good milk. Made me so the hell in that no matter what was going to happen I will breastfeed just on principal. And the fact that MIL wanted me to give a bottle so she can babysit from early on. (not going to happen). And the fact that it is exactly what your baby needs at every stage of development, at right temp, already in a "container" just make it so much more convenient. If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? Nope, in my opinion formula will never be able to be exactly like breastmilk. They might come close but not close enough. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: padthai
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 8:22am
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Thanks everyone for your replies!
You have provided some valuable insite and is something that can't be read in any books. Your views will be very helpful. Buzzy...yes, the same course. It is good so far - pretty full on in the first year (where I am) but apparently that eases off for the second. Lots of good study where you can actually use the information in your classes, so not all theory...thanks for asking! |
Posted By: arohanui
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 8:25am
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa? I never considered not breastfeeding - healthly for bubs, free, natural and nice bonding. However, once I went back to work part time it was too hard to express so he went onto formula part time. If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? I asked on ohbaby and got advice from other mums. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? Not that influenced my decision to breastfeed or not, but I went with tommee tippee closer to nature bottles when my son was on expressed breastmilk/formula, as they were the closest shape to the boob and i wanted him to be able to switch between the 2. I also used Karicare HA formula (hypoallergenic) cos I have asthma and excema and just wanted to be careful. ------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: wellymummy
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 9:28am
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I had always planned to BF my baby, but would have been happy to FF had that not worked out. I have quite flat nipples so had in the back of my mind that it might be difficult.
Primarily i wanted to BF for different reasons: Bonding, cheap, convienient, health benefits, weight loss for mum! Here we are 6 months down the track still BF, though my son does have formula occasionaly when I am at work and not back in time to BF. I was 'topping him up' with formula after a few feeds for a while as he was struggling to gain weight, initally I felt guilty as I couldnt give him what he needed by BF, but then reassuered myself that formula was giving him the extra he needed. he is now on solids so I have stopped this. As for choosing what to go with, I just vought a few sample packs, he liked the first one, so stuck with that. |
Posted By: runningmum
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 2:08pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
#1 had planned on fully BFing & expressing (so DH could feed her), but I was lucky if I got an hours sleep thanks to her. When she was 1wk old we stayed with my parents & Mum suggested giving her a little formula for us both to get some sleep ... she slept 7hrs so I was sold on a bottle of formula as the last feed of the night. She weaned herself off BF around 3mths. #2 has been BF with last feed of formula since day 1 (now 8wks). I think she'd sleep without the formula, but we just did it cos that's what we did with #1. But I quite like the bottle feeding (expressed or formula) cos you know how much they're drinking If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? never went looking TBH, but Plunket nurse was telling me I shouldn't be doing it. Didn't really care what she said cos I was the one spending 24/7 with my baby, not her Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? not particularly. Were given an Avent pump & streiliser to use, so ended up buying Avent bottles etc. We just use the brand of formula that Mum used when we were kids & now know lots of people who have used it too (Heinz Nurture) Hope this helps ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 2:14pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa? I suppose the biggest infuence was environmental. My mum, MIL, sisters and aunties all breastfed so it never occured to me that I wouldn't. The reasons I breastfeed for 12+ months is that I firmly believe breastmilk is best nutritionally, it's cheap, it's a special time and something I can do with my baby that noone else does with them and specialist advised that bfing past 12mo will give my kids the best shot at avoiding a hereditory condition. -------------  
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Posted By: Joscia
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 3:34pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
I never even considered formula feeding as an option. I was BF, as was DH so the influences in that respect were just from family. Not that there was any pressure - just an assumption that I'd BF too. Luckily BF has happened really easily for me - been pain free and I've got a really good supply. Plus it's just so much easier + cheaper like the others have said. |
Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 09 September 2009 at 7:52am
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
I really wanted to BF as it is better for the baby, and just assumed it would be easy as it's "natural". But between H being born early and not being able to latch and minimal colostrum in the first few days(I was over the moon when I got 1mL) the paed told us we had to start topping him up as he was loosing weight and had low blood sugar levels. I felt really guilty and some of the midwives were really quite horrible about it. I was never able to exclusively BF, and we are continuing to top up with formula and will probably wean him into formula at 6 months. If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? My post natal midwife was fantastic, and I got a lot of information from OhBaby. In general though, it was much easier to find information about BF than FF; I was also reluctant to ask b/c of the attitude of some health professionals. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? No product made me decide to either BF or FF but having an electric breast pump made things heaps easier in the first few weeks; the TT closer to nature bottles are also really good. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 09 September 2009 at 8:56am
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
* I chose formula after a month of unsuccessful and stressful breastfeeding If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? * No not at all. I felt completely pressured from my midwife and the hospital to breastfeed. I never felt like I had a choice. I look back now and I wish someone had just said to me you can formula feed heres some information on it. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? * Not really I went with S26 formula because I know thats what they use in hospital. -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 09 September 2009 at 9:09am
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
Ethan had trouble from the beginning (and so did I )and then just wouldn't take it.. due to allergies we later found out ...so at 8 weeks he went onto a formula for a week before allergic reaction then onto Neocate (special formula)..if this hadn't happened we would probably have persevered... thought i did and still do get frustrated at people who tell me I didn't through lack of education or not trying hard enough :( I wouldn't judge them ! If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? (see above as to why) but on the whole apart form on here and the paed didn't get much support or info. He also needed formula once at hospital and we were made to feel like we were giving him poison by everyone except mw and made to sign forms etc.. was pathetic. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? no ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: EmilysMum
Date Posted: 09 September 2009 at 12:14pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
I've had a breast reduction so knew breastfeeding might not be an option, and my midwife, who is a pro breastfeeding lactation consultant recommended that I formula fed from birth as in her experience breastfeeding would be too difficult. Given I had a 10lb6oz whopper I'm very glad I followed her advice! If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? My midwife was pretty good at providing support and information on bottles etc, but both hubby and I were REALLY disappointed that we weren't allowed to discuss bottle feeding at all in our antenatal class. We had to skulk up to the woman who took them at the end of a class and ask for some info, which she brought along to the next class but only after a bit of questioning as to why we wanted it and who my midwife was etc etc. We felt like criminals! My DH was so annoyed he wrote to Tony Ryall and compared it to withholding wheelchair information from disabled people as walking is healthier. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? Nope, the decision was made for me, and as there is no product information at all available on formula types etc I just read forums like this one to get advice on which formula was best. |
Posted By: Twinboys2b
Date Posted: 09 September 2009 at 2:02pm
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Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa?
Yes, not that anyone could sway my own strong feelings on BF but NICU had a great influence on me in making me belive that BF twins could be done. We started using formula at 3 months because of the struggle I was having with them on the breast, supported by NICU homecare. If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? No real information but I realised sanity overruled stressful breastfeeding. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? Yes, we started with Karicare as that is what's used in NICU but later tried Nurture due to a friends recommendation as it's less frothy & easier to mix than karicare so we continued with Nurture. Good luck with your studys. ------------- 3yr old gorgeous ID twin boys. |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 09 September 2009 at 2:48pm
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If you are able, would you mind answering the following questions about your experiences of breastfeeding/formula as I want to capture as many opinions as possible...
Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa? With #1 I didn't want to breastfeed at all, however I knew that I "should" so told my midwife I'd do a couple of weeks and thats it. However when it turned out I was unable to b/f I was completely blindsided by how strongly I felt about wanting to feed him. After medication and alot of perserverance, i was able to BF him after 6 weeks, with formula top ups. What did appeal to me was it is FREE! and it greatly aided my weightloss both times, and I found it super convenient, all of those factors and more weighed into the decision to BF #2 fully and for as long as possible. With #2 there was absolutely no way this baby was ever ever going to have formula, so I made a plan with my lactaton consultant prior to her birth and I successfully BF her for 2 years. I am now a trained and liscenced BF counslellor. If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? I honestly didn't hink there was much to learn? I asked a midwife who gave me some advice as to which to try and went from there. It wasn't hard to figure out bottles, teat flows etc. In support of my decision, I found if I asked, I got, in terms of information, risks etc. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? No although I heard s26 was "closest" to breastmilk. However now I have studied formula during training, I know there is no way it is even close!!! I had read alot about avent products and really liked their breast pump, so chose to use those bottles ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 09 September 2009 at 9:48pm
| Fattarts, I think they mean closest in consistency (cos Karicare etc is quite heavy in comparison) - that's what we found anyway. Definitely not 'closest' in nutritional value as we all know formula doesn't compare with breastmilk. |
Posted By: BriAndOlisMum
Date Posted: 10 September 2009 at 9:14am
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I expressed breast milk for 6 weeks then formula fed.
Where there any influences in choosing breastfeeding over formula or vice versa? DD refused to breast feed so i was told by the hospital that i either had to formula feed or express for her. i chose to express as i knew i breast milk would be better for her and provide the antibodies she needed. however after 6 weeks of expressing i could no longer handle having about 4 hours sleep a day so moved her onto formula. If you decided on formula feeding did you have information that supported your decision? kind of but i think i would have swapped to formula anyway at that point with the situation i was in. Were there any particular products that influenced your decision? no, sorry i can't remember what kind of formula i used either. -------------  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: padthai
Date Posted: 10 September 2009 at 2:58pm
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Thank you so much ladies for taking the time to reply. It will be really helpful for my assignment.
I am not trying to pass off this information as scientific or not research based but it is something interesting and more 'real' than you could get from a text book. Thanks again everyone! |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 10 September 2009 at 9:57pm
Also closest in taste, its sweeter, too aparently, like breastmilk. Never had any issues with it, in terms of constipation etc, but did when I tried the karicare a few times if I got desperate and got sachets. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
emz wrote:Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 10 September 2009 at 10:20pm
| Interesting about the taste - wouldn't have wanted to be the people sorting that out lol. I wouldn't know it hasn't been a habit of mine to taste my own breastmilk lol |
Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 10 September 2009 at 10:27pm
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Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 10 September 2009 at 11:35pm
lol neither thats just what I was told, ha ha ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |