I couldn't breastfeed and expressed for 5 weeks with the odd bottle of formula. I made the decision to switch to formula and its been the best thing I did. Oliver is much more settled and we get out more without me having to plan when i need to express.

Formula isnt bad for babys or it wouldnt be sold!

x

ok......my confession.......

I had a really traumatic planned c-section that went awry and ended up in a crash team section to get Marlow out and a crash team later on in recovery for me. We spent over twelve hours in theatre, it was touch and go....I almost died and Marlow also suffered....I was too ill to feed him so expressed donor milk was given to him from a cup. Then my milk came flooding in on day three, but Marlow was a slow feeder and falling asleep on the boob, so I persevered and bf'ed and on the mw's advice did 1-2oz top-ups after each feed of aptamil from a cup then a bottle later on....I kept this up until last week when went to the GP for our post natal check....

Marlow was weighed and was only 9lb 13oz at 11 weeks old, his length is 23 inches, his birth weight was 7lb 15oz and 18 and a bit inches long, he also lost over a pound in the first week after his birth so he was so tiny....my GP was not overly concerned at the pn check but Marlow is underweight for his age and length and is still in newborn/tiny baby size so after the weekend and in discussion with his Dad who said I'd done a brilliant job at nurturing our boy and that he was proud of me, but perhaps it was time to solely FF....and it was with great sadness that we had our last breastfeed and it was one of the hardest decisions to stick with as he lay in my arms gazing at me as my body fed him that final time...and I really cried and almost went back to do it again, but the FF is working, he is drinking a ton and faster than I imagined he would....

It was time to move on....my breasts gave him a great start for 11 weeks and 2 days and it was such a milestone for me to do that and I am proud of me too, however my Marlow's health and development means much more to me than the feelings of regret I've had this last week....it's the right thing to do, so onwards and upwards! (I have to make that my mantra!)

I've come to the realisation that however little breastmilk you give is a good headstart and we should never beat ourselves up if it doesn't work for you and formula is better than nothing, in some cases it's better for baby and mum!

I have formula fed from the begining as i didnt want to constantly be tied to baby and so OH could help as well. My doctor always acts as if she forgets that i dont breastfeed and constantly makes comments like "oh ya you didnt even want to try" i could care less what people think my baby is happy healthy and content isnt that all that matters. I say its whats best for you and baby.

I breastfed for 2 weeks but also switched to FF. I felt guilty like I was letting him down but to be honest I just found it so tiring and stressful especially when BF'ing every hour or so at night sometimes and taking 45 minutes to feed! OH was upset because he couldnt help and he was getting stressed and (call us selfish) but I do want him to be able to stay with his grandparents occasionally and didnt want to be expressing for 4 hours the day before he stays with them for example! I feel fine about FF now and I am much more rested and relaxed. I'm sure I will also get the third degree from the HV when I see her on Wednesday but I dont care.