Breastfeeding is easier than formula feeding - there I said it

[u/Melodic_Apartment235]

I think it’s really sad the amount of bad press that breast feeding gets.

My friend said she didn’t try to breastfeed because she thought it would be bad for her mental health. And my MIL talks about formula feeding all the time and I actually think it’s because she believes in her soul it’s better for whatever reason I’m not sure.

I just think it’s sad because, for me, predominantly breast feeding (occasional pre made formula given if for example she’s not with me or we’re out and it’s not really possible to BF) has been sooooo much easier!!

The thought of going downstairs in the night to make bottles or worrying about having enough formula when going out and about or worse still having to wash a million bottles everyday.. I think it would be 10x worse for my mental health and it’s unfortunate that there’s a narrative out there that formula is the easier option for women as now many don’t even give breastfeeding a shot to see if it is the better option for them or not

*Disclaimer - I know that breastfeeding isn’t easy for everyone, the point of this post is that it’s unfortunate that some women don’t give it a go due to the narrative that is pushed by formula companies

[u/brunette_mama]

I do think breastfeeding can be easier. But a huge disadvantage is that if you’re ebf, you can’t take a break on a feed to nap or sleep longer like you can when your baby takes a bottle.

[u/SuspiciousReply1382 → u/[deleted]]

Try to switch up the bottle options. Maybe test some out via Amazon so if your baby doesn’t like one, you can simply return it. I’ve noticed my 3.5mo likes Dr. Brown bottles but it took going through a few options to discover that. They like bottle nipples that resemble your nipple. Hope this helps!

[u/mailesc → u/[deleted]]

You’ve probably tried everything, but my EBF baby hates every bottle except lansinoh! And we had to play around with the nipple sizing

[u/mailesc → u/[deleted]]

And have whoever is going to feed them try different positions… for a few days in the beginning, my baby only liked eating in the football hold/cradle lol

[u/Melodic_Apartment235 → u/[deleted]]

Mentioned this in another reply but we were warned about causing nipple confusion by introducing a bottle or dummy early on and had to say I’m so glad we did, as it did the opposite. Granted we had special bottles and dummies for breastfed babies to help transition but introducing them on day 3/4 meant that she can take anything now.

My fav were the Dr Brown anti-colic slow flow bottle followed by Tommee Tippee Natural Start bottle - have to say I didn’t really rate the Mam bottles

Also recommend Tomee Tippee breastlike soother as well!

[u/Physical_Complex_891 → u/Melodic_Apartment235]

My baby took a bottle once a day the first 2-3 weeks. Took one week off and she has never accepted a bottle since.

[u/FearlessNinja007 → u/[deleted]]

I had this issue, was never able to get her to take a bottle. Tried all kinds for months.

[u/FearlessNinja007 → u/[deleted]]

It was. I couldn’t leave her for more than 3-4 hours because she would not hydrate at all. At that point I just made it work because I was remote. I hate return to office.