Why do I feel need to have an EBF baby?

Do you have the option to pump? It would still be breast milk and one less feed on you?

Both of my kids breast fed. But I often had an oversupply first thing in the morning, so my husband would give the baby a bottle of pumped milk while I pumped. It was a great bonding time for them, and a nice break from being touched out for me, even if I was attached to a pump. I have zero regrets introducing a bottle to my kids at 6 weeks, and anyone who says that one bottle per morning of pumped milk means my kids weren’t EBF is silly.😂

I think the pressure comes from different places. Social media, friends and family, ourselves. I breastfed all three of my kids but each journey was different. With my first, I only breastfed about 8 weeks. I was young. I struggled juggling pumping and working. With my second I was determined to ebf, which I did right up until about a year but she threw us for a loop and ended up on a feeding tube and got formula through that for another year and a half. With my third I was struggling mentally. I hated breastfeeding and I hated pumping even more, which meant we were never apart and my mental health declined further. At 10 months I said no more and switched her to formula. I think it's easy to beat ourselves up or think we could be doing "better" for our babies. But as long as they're thriving there's no wrong answer.

I said I’m silly because same 😂 I had always planned to breastfeed because I didn’t want to pay for formula lol my first had to have a few bottles of formula because of a really bad tongue tie. I didn’t feel any type of way about it. After 3 days old she didn’t need anymore so we stuck to only breastfeeding. When my second was born breastfeeding was so easy but by 8 or 9 months she started waking more at night and I thought about giving her formula to help her sleep. I had a sample can so it wasn’t like I had to buy it but I just couldn’t. My husband will brag to doctors about how she’s never had a drop of formula and I feel like subconsciously I want to keep it that way. It is a big deal to completely create and sustain a life though

I think like others have said it’s probably a combination of reasons but most likely the strongest is just pure biology. I didn’t start BF with my first and I was dry heaving/sobbing when my milk came in with guilt and had this huge urge to do it. I started BFing about 2 weeks PP and managed to combi until 7 months and exclusive from then to 15 months. It’s hard but possible but it’s just how I was wired

You’re right that formula isn’t going to hurt him, but it is also okay if breastfeeding exclusively is important to you! It’s not something you need to justify or berate yourself for.

Do whatever is best for your family and for you. If formula is easier then let it be the main thing is that your baby is loved and fed 💕

Why spend money to buy something you have and of high quality? Can you pump. I did EBF by pumping too for 2 years and had him fed loads of time by family so I have free time if possible. Cheers

This thought process made me so freaking miserable. My son stopped sucking effectively around 5-6 months due to being distracted and my supply subsequently tanked. I finally gave up at 9 months and was extremely depressed about it but once I fully switched to formula, I felt way less stressed.

I mean, it’s good for them? It’s not a weird goal. It’s fine. Just don’t lose sleep over it!

@Trish haha i did needlessly lose sleep over it and its clear i didnt need to 😅 but i think i just went over the edge last night, overthinking it all but its because my toddler started crying saying he wants me to do bedtime when he overheard me telling dad something has to change i cant keep putting newborn n toddler to sleep together 😩

@Mimi @Alyssapumping is hard for me as i have an ovversupply and get engorged a lot but spoke to lactation consultant today and she said it is possible and to try daily pumping at same time each day but it will cause me trouble to establish @Rachel ppl say pumping is also not EBF??? Who are these ppl setting silly rules! 😅 how lomg did it take u to establish a pumping routine if u dont mind me asking

I had oversupply mostly and had gone through block duct to engorgment and mastitis. Regular pump and breastfeeding saved me. Plus, if you are eating healthy, your breast milk is liquid gold. If you have too much milk, you can freeze up to 6 months for feeding and bathing. I use breast milk to cure eczema, nappy rash, rashes, and more. Just rub it on the area or use it as a milk bath for the baby. Smooth skin for the baby. Cheers