https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 20:50:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-767549 Wed, 08 May 2013 11:46:28 +0000 irene 767549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me:<br /> 1. I thought WHO, CDC ...etc. recommends exclusive breastfeeding until the age of 6 months (another one recommends until 1 year). So it is a question to them why "exclusive" lol</p> <p>2. If you supplement, the baby drinks less from you, and your body will produce less. Eventually you'd accidentally wean yourself with all the supplements. Your body is supposed to be equipped to produce enough for your baby, so I guess that's why everyone wants to try to EBF. And when you can EBF, why formula?</p> <p>3. Breastfeeding (if successful) is a very addictive experience. I was seriously hurt and traumatized when my baby decided to wean me.</p> <p>4. It is very convenient if you don't mind breastfeeding in public. Whereas if you supplement, and if you go out and your baby is hungry, do you first breastfeed him until he feels it is not enough, then you pull out a bottle of formula, and how much formula do you make? The logic is more complicated. If you EBF, you can pretty much know for sure you make enough for your baby, and you don't need to bring and wash all those bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-764187 Mon, 06 May 2013 17:12:31 +0000 sarac 764187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was never interested in feeding my baby an artificial food when I could make it myself. If I'd had some medical reason to, I would have, and that would have been the end of it. But I'd rather do it on my own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-764172 Mon, 06 May 2013 17:02:43 +0000 littlepenguin 764172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never intended to EBF, I went into this thinking I'd do what is best for baby and best for me. If I had needed to supplement I would have, as well as using only formula. So far, I've had a good supply, baby has latched well, and he is healthy and gaining weight. I have been fortunate that EBF is all we need, so I haven't changed it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-764098 Mon, 06 May 2013 16:20:46 +0000 prettylizy 764098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read through other responses, but our biggest reason for EBF is because it worked for us. I had no supply issues, no latch issues and nursing (after the initial 6 weeks of difficulties) was MUCH easier than pumping, or mixing formula and cleaning bottles etc. I might have a different story if I hadn't had 52 weeks of maternity leave though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-764087 Mon, 06 May 2013 16:12:54 +0000 cascademom 764087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: Wow, it's good to hear a different perspective. I really thought that I would be sad when we went more towards formula at 8 months, but I'm not. The bottles are little more piddly, but I know he's getting enough nutrition especially after a tough weekend where he cried and cried because he was hungry. Having the bottles and formula packets were great for flying. As much as I fought going to formula, it's been a great thing for our family as a whole. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-764049 Mon, 06 May 2013 15:54:23 +0000 Cherrybee 764049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: Thanks for sharing. It's really fortunate that you had already decided to use formula - imagine how upset you would have been if you had got your heart set on EBF and then Sadie couldn't. This is precisely why I'm formulating (pun intended!!) a plan B now!! :-) </p> <p>Thank you so much for all the info and advice, everyone. I'm not as stubborn as many of you and I certainly wont be forcing myself to suffer for any dream of perfection. That said, some of your comments - particularly the science behind this virgin gut thing - does make a lot of sense and it has definitely convinced me to draw the line much closer to EBF and therefore persevere more tenaciously when the time comes before considering formula, especially because I'm asthmatic myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-763754 Mon, 06 May 2013 14:15:07 +0000 photojane 763754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: of course! My plan was always to use formula simply because its easier for being out of the house &amp; for sitters. I planned to BF at home, but use formula when out of the house (I can walk around Target and feed her at the same time), and when she was being watched by someone else. So basically, convenience. We couldn't BF due to Sadie'a anatomy though. She was born with a jaw abnormality, but she's slowly been growing out of it. I could've just pumped until she was able to latch, but I hated pumping. Formula hasn't killed my baby yet. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-763674 Mon, 06 May 2013 13:43:54 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 763674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, it's much of what others have said:</p> <p>-I physically can<br /> -I love the bonding time<br /> -It's free<br /> -Supply &amp; demand<br /> -It's better for his body (I do know that formula won't kill him, but I also think that breastmilk is healthier)</p> <p>Now that our son is 7 months, my supply has dipped down. I'm barely making enough for his daily bottles. I've started eating more oatmeal and taking milk boosting supplements, because I want to keep going until a year. I realized I really really don't want him to take formula, which I hadn't realized before.</p> <p>Also, in regards to having a "plan". I always told myself (and everyone else) I'll breastfeed until it doesn't make sense to do so anymore. It's working out so far :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-763625 Mon, 06 May 2013 13:28:21 +0000 immabeetoo 763625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: everyone has covered the reasons I have as well! I wanted to also share what the LC I saw told me that really resonated - a baby can't starve in one night! The nights of crazed cluster feeding and crying can easily make you feel like you're not making enough milk, or doing something wrong, but her assurance that my LO was just signaling my body to make more milk and that it would catch up was comforting. (Of course, monitoring input/output signs like wet/dirty diapers along with this!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part/page/2#post-763609 Mon, 06 May 2013 13:22:49 +0000 birdofafeather 763609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think cost, the fact that my supply has been great and LO had a great latch from the beginning, along with the thought of mixing bottles, etc would be super annoying to me since there wouldn't be a need. i love breastfeeding and i'm happy that LO gets only breast milk, but in after actually breastfeeding (she's 16 weeks) if she needed some formula, it would be fine. i wouldn't want to supplement for no reason though and i'm hoping to make it to one year of EBF. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763574 Mon, 06 May 2013 13:07:29 +0000 Cherrybee 763574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ps - for anyone who is interested in this topic and reading this thread, i have been Googling "Virgin Gut Theory" and have found this article that explains it really well: </p> <p><a href="http://www.thealphaparent.com/2011/07/virgin-gut-note-for-parents.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.thealphaparent.com/2011/07/virgin-gut-note-for-parents.html</a></p> <p>I really had never heard of this before - now *this* is the key to the exclusive part of EBF in my mind.....DH and I have read it through and now we need to decide at what point the benefits of keeping a virgin gut are outweighed by whatever difficulties/struggles keeping to breast milk presents and we move to plan B (which is supplementing of course). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763555 Mon, 06 May 2013 13:01:49 +0000 Cherrybee 763555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: Thank you for replying - the question is out there for everyone who has something useful to say and you do! I am thinking about feeding today - specifically what I am and am not going to be okay with if plan A (which is get my boobs out, feed my baby and it all be hunky dory) doesn't work out. Do you mind sharing why you didn't *plan* to EBF? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763533 Mon, 06 May 2013 12:51:27 +0000 tororojo 763533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Moneys! And health benefits. I didn't have any problems BFing, though...if we had needed to use formula, we would have done so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763503 Mon, 06 May 2013 12:39:39 +0000 Mrs. Train 763503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had a exclusively formula feed baby, twins who had about 10% formula 90% breast milk, and the one exclusively breast feed baby. I think it really is what's best in each situation. I had no problem with giving my twins some formula in fact I was in recovery for 4 hour and during that time their blood sugar dropped so they were give a tiny bit of formula (so no virgin gut I guess). With my daughter I didn't have any problems like that and my supply was fine so we just went with it. I think it's fine to have a plan or idea of how you want it to go but just know that plans might change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763475 Mon, 06 May 2013 12:25:04 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 763475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Virgin gut and supply/demand. If a baby has ever had even one ounce of formula, they are not considered EBF. One solids are introduced, they are not EBF anymore. Yes, every ounce counts and any ammount of BM a mom can give is great, but "EBF is special" (quoting Nancy Holtzman). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763463 Mon, 06 May 2013 12:20:23 +0000 glimmersnaps 763463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with what most people have said about supply! Also I've heard that once you introduce formula there can be changes made to natural balance of baby's stomach that can affect digestion.</p> <p>I think another big reason that I EBF was that bottles are a total and complete pain. I'd much rather nurse every few hours than spend good money on formula and bottles and have to deal with sanitizing them and washing them etc. etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763401 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:55:27 +0000 Dandelion 763401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My reason was that formula costs money. Breastmilk is free, so there wasn't really any choice in it for us.</p> <p>It's also so much easier...but I was/am a SAHM, so I didn't have to pump reguarly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763315 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:18:20 +0000 mrskc 763315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went into it thinking if we had to supplement, it wouldn't be a big deal. After he was born, I struggled at first, but I was stubborn and stuck with it. I feel like it can be a downward spiral for your supply once you start supplementing since it's all about supply and demand. I established a good supply and luckily have had no issues so I haven't had a need to supplement. It has saved us a ton of money not having to buy formula. Plus, no washing a ton of bottles is nice. Now that I'm back at work, pumping is a pain but I think it's all worth it and breastfeeding has become important to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763290 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:10:15 +0000 mrsjyw 763290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it wasn't intentionally ebf, but we were lucky enough to be able to do it at this point (5.5 mths).</p> <p>milk didnt come in right away so ds was on formula for a day after we found out he'd lost a lot of weigh tin the first few days. after that my milk came in and i stubbornly told myself that i was going to give it 200%. </p> <p>since day 5 pp, we've had no-lil issues, it saves $$, i love the time with DS, and he take a bottle no problem. we have no reason not to ebf at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763236 Mon, 06 May 2013 10:52:09 +0000 photojane 763236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I know this questions isn't directed at me, as I don't EBF &amp; never planned to, but I just wanted to throw this out there, since it seems you're really thinking a lot about feeding today...</p> <p>You will know what's best for your baby! Whether it's EBFing, pumping, formula, or some kind of mixture... you have to decide what works for your baby &amp; your family. Don't let anyone else's experiences, opinions, or beliefs impact your decision or let you feel guilty! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763124 Mon, 06 May 2013 10:22:58 +0000 Koolbreeze 763124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me and my family, formula isn't an option unless 110% medically necessary...and only after donor milk. I saw no reason at all to give formula when I could breastfeed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763096 Mon, 06 May 2013 10:13:07 +0000 78h2o 763096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lozza: I agree! I think some of the citations and info are interesting/valuable, but I wouldn't take that article as gospel. Some of the citations are pretty old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763026 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:58:39 +0000 runsyellowlites 763026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I knew the supply/demand aspect, that even though I didn't have supply issues for me to make it the long haul I *needed* to tell my body to lay lots of prolactin triggers by nursing alot! (These prolactin triggers that the same ones the body relies on when you have dips/sickness/nursing strikes later on down the road).</p> <p>2. I'm one of the few moms around here that is actually against formula use unless medically necessary. I don't see breastfeeding as "best" but as the standard so to me it' the "risk of not breastfeeding".</p> <p>I also read a great study by the NIH on this &amp; how attitude has greatly affected how our society sees breastfeeding. It helped me change my attitude to (which was part of my unsuccess with my first)<br /> <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2812877/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2812877/</a></p> <p>3. I had plenty of reasons to quit, and many moms in the same position do quit, but these reasons just made me want to keep with it more. I felt like b/c of the intolerance issues we had with P that my milk was even MORE what she needed &amp; that she deserved me making the sacrifice to continue to provide for her.</p> <p>Now I didn't successfully breastfeed DS, so I fully understand when a mom is unable to continue. In my case though it was more about getting awful counsel from our pedi &amp; my lack of education/support. I just wasn't okay with having that happen again so I changed my perspective on it &amp; basically refused to not breastfeed. The only drops of formula P has had were when we were in the hospital and ONLY because the doctor ordered a clean catch urine &amp; they had already tried once to get it... to me the risk of needing to do a third catherization far outweighed the risk of giving her formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-763002 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:52:31 +0000 Weagle 763002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Several reasons.<br /> -I could. My supply was more than sufficient to feed her.<br /> -It's cheap<br /> -We had little to no issues<br /> -I'm stubborn </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-762993 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:49:49 +0000 mrsjazz 762993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, my LO had formula for the first 10 days of her life because we couldn't get her to latch. I began to hand express some milk once we got home so she was able to have both breast and formula until we had an LC come and help us. </p> <p>So, she was exclusively fed breast milk from 10 days until a little after she turned 1 (and now is on breast milk and cow's milk). I wanted to feed her exclusively because </p> <p>1) My body makes milk specifically for my baby. How cool is that?<br /> 2) I wanted that magical special bond I heard about<br /> 3) How many times have I heard breast is best? :)<br /> 4) I wanted to keep my supply up for as long as possible</p> <p>Breastfeeding was super hard in the beginning but luckily I am so stubborn that even though I would cringe in pain and want to throw my baby from my breast, I was not giving up. I'm glad I didn't. Plus it was way easier for middle of the night feedings to just pop a boob in her mouth.</p> <p>@oliviaoblivia: Yes! I could hog my baby simply by saying, "Oh she needs to eat." Loved that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-762982 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:46:14 +0000 Lozza 762982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@78h2o: The <a href="http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/images/Just%20One%20Bottle.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/images/Just%20One%20Bottle.pdf</a> article is interesting, but I have to admit to being skeptical of any citations from the 1920s and 1930s! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-762976 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:43:06 +0000 ladyfingers 762976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I must admit in the beginning especially, there was a bit of martyrdom to it -- "OMG it is so hard being the only one who can feed my baby!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-762973 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:42:16 +0000 ladyfingers 762973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lozza: That's awesome that you were able to go so long pumping, though! If I make it 6 months I'll be happy, but my ultimate goal is one year. Also glad to hear you were able to continue nursing once supplementing :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-762958 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:37:14 +0000 Lozza 762958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: Your "if going to work affects my supply" scenario is what eventually happened to us- DS got only breastmilk (nursing if I was around, bottles of pumped milk at daycare or if I wasn't around for whatever reason) till he was 7 months old, and then I just couldn't keep up with pumping and had exhausted my freezer stash, so I continued to nurse at night and in the mornings, pump a few times a day and get about 1/3 of what DS would drink from bottles in a day, and just supplemented for the rest. It would have been great if I'd managed to pump more for longer, but I feel pretty good about what we did and I wasn't willing to spend the time or energy on doing everything possible to increase supply at that point. By then, breastfeeding was easy, and he was pretty equally happy to nurse, take a bottle of breastmilk, or take a bottle of formula, so I didn't have to worry about one affecting another. We may have started supplementing earlier than I'd have liked, but the whole process was very easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-mums-why-the-exclusive-part#post-762688 Mon, 06 May 2013 07:56:27 +0000 mamimami 762688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: haha I love it. It's true! I am not a big baby hog but I don't mind when I have to say "gosh, looks like she's hungry!" and sometimes you can even go in another room and hang out, no excuse needed :) </p>