Breast vs. Bottle
Posted on Sunday, May 24th, 2009 at 8:32 pmWhen I gave birth to London, one of my goals was to breast feed exclusively for at least 6 months. Since she was born with a cleft palate, she was never able to nurse so I pumped. For 9 months. If you’ve pumped, you know that’s a long time. I was definitely proud of myself. I can’t say it was easy. It sure wasn’t, but sometimes I want those days back. I didn’t have to be the one getting up to feed the baby in the middle of the night. Sure, I had to get up and pump, but when I realized that every time I pumped, I was getting twice as much as she would eat, I started pumping less, thus sleeping through the night. I had a freezer full of milk so if I needed to go somewhere without the baby, I didn’t have to worry about being back to feed her. Anybody could do it. Sometimes pumping was annoying, though. At the time, I wished I could just breast feed. It was hard to take a bottle when we would go out because it was kind of difficult to warm it up or keep it cold. It’s also kind of difficult to pump just anywhere. I also had a lot of problems with painful clogged milk ducts. Still…
This time around, I really wanted to be able to nurse. And I can. The problem is, I had no idea how hard it would be, or how tiring. Some days (or middle of the nights) I long for the days when I was bottle feeding. I still have the option of pumping if I need to or want to go out but it’s more of a pain to pump if I’m pumping and breast feeding. It takes a lot longer to have a full feeding ready. Lately the little guy has been screaming through his feedings. Not so much fun. Of course I’m always the one who has to deal with it. I also have a bit of cabin fever because I feel like I have to stay close enough to home so that I can feed him when he needs to be fed. Sure I can feed him on the go, but I can’t hold a bottle in his mouth while we’re driving like I could with London. Some women love to breast feed. They feel more connected to their baby. I don’t feel a difference. I feel just as connected with London as I am with Ashton. For me, nursing isn’t really an enjoyable experience. I do it because I know that it’s the best thing for my children. I realize that everything worthwhile comes with a price, but sometimes I think those formula feeding mothers have the right idea. Luxury.
I have done both, and I enjoyed nursing more. I hated having to prep bottles and having to pack the formula. Often, at night I would nurse and fall asleep, then the baby would sleep next to me.
The main reason I nursed was to save money. It will get easier.
Good luck.
You know I nursed both of the boys and I learned something interesting: it’s completely different with every child. I thought after nursing Reed for 19 months that I was a pro, but Owen and I had a really rough couple of weeks (from about weeks 2-4.) It was especially hard because I was supposed to be good at this!
We worked through it, and it got better. (And we’re still nursing.)
I loved being able to sleep while feeding. I loved being able to be out and about and not worry about where I was going to heat the next bottle.
If you’re having problems, I highly recommend getting help. If your insurance doesn’t cover a visit with a lactation consultant, ask your pediatrician — sometimes they have one on staff, or have good recommendations. LaLeche League is also a good resource. I wish I was closer…
I know how you feel! I pumped with Ryland for 12 months! It was craziness! However it was nice that I could hand her off to anyone and she would be fine. With Addy she wouldn’t take a bottle so I have been the only option….and yes I have had A LOT of cabin fever! Now that she is nearing 1 is is nice to not have to worry so much since she is only nursing 2 times a day. You can always do both if he’ll take a bottle. It is a nice luxury/option to have. For me nursing was hardest during the first 3-4 months. After that things started getting into a rhythm. You are doing awesome and whatever you decide will work for you is the best choice!
Hey by the way are you coming to Addy’s birthday on the 6th of June? I sent you an invite via email I believe.
I think everyone feels the way your are feeling right now. I was just talking to my sister in law and she feels the exact same way, so breastfeeds because its best for him, nothing more. I can’t really say how I feel about breastfeeding because I haven’t done it yet, Isabelle refused, but I do think you have to do what is best for both of you. Isabelle turned out just fine being on formula, after I had pumped for a while. Do what you feel is best! you are a great mom.
I also pumped for 9 months with James! And I absolutely know how convenient and yet frustrating it can be! So, WAY TO GO for pumping all that time for London! Yay for us pumpers… I am ALSO trying to exclusively nurse my newborn (born 5 days ago by the way:) and have been finding it just as satisfying as James’ pumping and bottle feeding- although, when I was bottle feeding James, I was still the one up in the middle of the night- and it really is more time consuming and harder to do. But I try to take comfort, like you, in knowing that we are doing the very best thing for our children that we can. Its nice not being the only one who has had a hard time with nursing… But most mos tell me it DOES get better the longer you do it… so, here’s to hope!