Before going in to have Chase I was 50/50 thinking of which route to go with feeding. I was going to breastfeed for a few weeks but after a real ride in the operating room and then being given Chase 15 minutes after getting out of recovery and being stressed, I decided to formula feed.

I've breastfed my other babies, and, quite truthfully, formula feeding has more advantages right now to me than does breastfeeding.

My appetite is very, very minimal while not pregnant. I hate to say, but although I breastfed my other two, it probably would have been more beneficial in a health standpoint if I had formula fed. They probably would have received more nutrients and been filled up more.

We own our own businesses, we have employees coming in and out, etc. I remember so well my own modesty of breastfeeding in public so rarely went anywhere and when I did and my baby cried, I got stressed and wanted to get home as soon as possible.

My kids are now back and forth in school, and my stepkids are older now.

I also remember the first 6 months of my babies' lives and how Dan could not bond properly while my babies were so needy of me and their feeding. I was not successful at expressing so the bottle was out of the question.

I feel that this time around I have made a good choice for my baby, for me and my family. I do have to say that I do miss the one on one contact with my baby while breastfeeding, but I also know that I can have this while formula feeding my little guy as well.

You can definitely still develop that amazing bond with your baby while formula feeding - and you and Dan will both be able to experience that from the start this time

I totally understand the stress with having a hungry baby while out in public somewhere and not knowing where to feed! Hope it all goes well for you...how are you and your gorgeous little man? x

I agree that you can still create an amazing bond with your baby (of course I've never breastfed) but Hannah and I are very close, and so are she and Stan, one of the great things about bottle feeding is that he's been able to develop his own special bond. Plus he can help out with the 2 a.m. feedings

Honey, we are doing fine! I am tired as heck. I truly don't have the guts to sleep laying flat yet so slept on the couch last night sitting up. LOL I need one of those hospital beds at home.

Chase sleeps a lot right now, as to be expected but he's fabulous. It's so amazing to have a baby again. A surprise baby is really the light of our lives right now.

Glad your happy with your choices Leanne. I too will be bottle feeding for lots of similar reasons I have 2 older children who will be going to and from school each day etc... and sometimes it's just nice to be able to say to you OH can you please feed the baby while i (insert any other normal mother chore here)

Also Congratulations on Chase I can't remember if i've already said it or not

Funny, my babies never really cared about their father until they were 6 months. Not fair to him really as he is one heck of a good dad and should have that bonding from day 1. Now he can get it and I think he will feel more involved.

Nice to hear that Hannah and Stan have that bond too.

Dont worry leanne, you will have a perfect bond with your baby... because... its your baby! Not because you either breast or formula fed. Babies bond with people who fullfill their needs and care and love for them. And for you and your stress levels, obviously formula is the right choice.

I will likely be going with formula too... I would like to try and express the first couple weeks, but if it doesn't work im not going to get wound up about it.

Hannah gets excited when she sees her Daddy, it's quite cute actually

Exactly. With two other children, they can be demanding. I also felt that they will have more attention on them too by feeding by bottle and letting hubby do some of the duty.

To me, the advantages weigh more than breastfeeding at this time.

Thank you for your congratulations!

Aww! That is sweet!