I do breastfeed.
I use bottles and I let him nurse.
Just because he's using a bottle doesn't mean he isn't getting breast milk.
Though, honestly, he gets some formula too, and I don't think that is bad at all.
Here's why I have made my choices the way I have. From day one, hour 4, SJ hasn't been one to take to the breast "well," if you would say it that way. The night he was born he had absolutely no interest in trying. The day after, yes, but I could NOT keep him awake no matter what I tried.
And that never stopped. I've had others helping me try to keep him awake while nursing, and it just doesn't do the trick. He falls asleep almost every time, and in order for him to be full, I have been known to have to nurse him for 45 minutes to over an hour.
While that was okay at first, when I had help at home and not much to do, that became much harder on me as time went by. Really, if he were to eat every two hours and nurse for 45 minutes to an hour, I'd spend up to 12 hours a day nursing him. That didn't leave much time for anything else, cleaning, sleeping, eating, using the bathroom, what have you.
So I started pumping almost exclusively, but nursing when I had the time (yes, that might sound bad, but it's true, and my husband and family all supported my decision). However, with pumping, it's not as efficient, and I didn't get as much out at a time as I would like or need to keep up with the growing, hungry boy, so we started supplementing with a little formula, mixing it with breast milk.
I hope this didn't sound rude, I just thought I'd explain.
If anyone else has questions, that's awesome. I hope, however, anyone who reads will have the decency to not criticize. It wasn't an easy decision to not exclusively nurse, that's for certain. I wanted to, but it just wasn't working for us.
I just can't believe that you're having to somewhat defend your choice to begin with. Continue on!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, choosing not to exclusively breastfeed is the hardest decision. I can't believe someone criticized you. I didn't breastfeed my first at all, and I cried for days about it, but it was the best decision for our family at the time. You made a good choice, and Spencer is flourishing and growing just well. Pooh on them. Pooh.
ReplyDeleteYou have no reason to explain why you do what you do. Spencer is a happy healthy baby and that is all that matters.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say necessarily that I have to "defend" or that I was being "criticized," but I was questioned. I believe the comment was something about the fact that since I cloth diaper, it seems strange that I wouldn't breastfeed, too. So, I thought I'd clarify.
ReplyDeleteI can see how anonymous would assume that you aren't BFing because you do make references often to Spencer's bottles and that's not usually the case with someone who is BFing, but I like your clarification. Each situation is unique and you're doing your best to be as close to EBF as you can be, even if you have to suck the milk out yourself (with a pump, of course...) :) I EBF, but always give Katie a bottle of breastmilk at bedtime....it still comes from the same place!
ReplyDeleteWe certainly didn't mean to criticize, if that's how it came across! :) Sorry about that! Just curious, since you've never mentioned it on your blog. My wife Joan works in breastfeeding advocacy and is a La Leche League leader in our area, and I'm a male OB nurse who sees way too many mamas not even try nursing and go straight to formula.
ReplyDeleteThanks for trying, and for continuing to do the best for your son...that's all he needs, and we're sure he loves you for it.
Steve and Joan (we found your blog from a friend from a friend...we like reading about what new young moms are doing these days)