https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:55:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893654 Tue, 06 Aug 2019 04:51:21 +0000 cyoung 2893654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: this is how I felt with my son (my first) breast feeding stressed me out a lot. We ended up formula feeding and it was better for us but I felt guilty. However with my last two babies I straight away did formula and I have been so happy. I actually enjoy feeding time and how relaxed it is. I'm glad this time around everything is more relaxed and a healing process!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893649 Tue, 06 Aug 2019 00:07:48 +0000 thepicklemonster 2893649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for sharing this! I absolutely hated breastfeeding/pumping my first and only did it for six weeks. I did it for 10 days with my second and have zero regrets. She is almost 7 months old and doing great with formula. I honestly feel like the pressure to BF is so pervasive and these stories are so important. i try as much as possible to talk about my feeding experience especially since it was really my choice. I could have breastfed. I had loads of milk. But I chose not to and feel so much happier and more bonded/rested/ present as a result. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893640 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 20:21:05 +0000 periwinklebee 2893640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: It's so awesome that you had the confidence to choose what you know is best for your family!</p> <p>@annem1990: This is awful. No one should question how you choose to feed your baby, let alone a doctor with no knowledge of pediatrics (and presumably no knowledge of how to interpret the shaky evidence on bf, as @MrsSCB: points out...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893592 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 12:19:07 +0000 MrsSCB 2893592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: I'm really sorry, that's awful. No one should have to justify not breastfeeding for any reason--100 percent your choice. And if they're so concerned about making evidence-based decisions, maybe they should do a little more reading... <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/everybody-calm-down-about-breastfeeding/" rel="nofollow">https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/everybody-calm-down-about-breastfeeding/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893591 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 12:15:58 +0000 DillonLion 2893591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: oh man, that is awful! I'd wonder the exact same thing myself. I'm sorry doctors have been so unsupportive </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893588 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 12:06:06 +0000 annem1990 2893588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So happy to hear this!! I exclusively pumped with my first for 9months and it actually went really well. I had a positive experience and enjoyed the sort of “hybrid” or not paying for formula but still giving breastmilk. </p> <p>However, I won’t even be attempting for #2 due in a couple of months. Straight to formula. I developed seizures which usually occurred immediately after pumping. Luckily the medication I was put on was successful and I’ve been seizure-free since, but I can’t help but correlate the experiences. There’s no medical evidence breastfeeding could cause a seizure (just lots of anecdotal on the internet). Regardless I don’t want that feeling if “what if” if I happened to stay having them again while breastfeeding. I’d rather just take that out of the equation and focus on me and the baby rather than the fear. </p> <p>My family/friends are super supportive of that decision but Doctors have been so rude. I KNOW there’s no evidence that breastfeeding caused this to happen. I’m an educated, informed adult and feel his is best for my family. Every time a Doctor asks I inevitably get the lecture about how all of the evidence shows “breast is best,” maybe you should at least try, etc. My neurologist told me at my last appointment, “That’s really disappointing.” I don’t understand why these Doctors are so rude.... I hope it doesn’t continue when baby arrives because I’m sick of explaining it. It doesn’t make me change my mind, just makes me angry at the Doctor. I don’t like being made to feel like a lazy parent because I am actively choosing this. I thought Doctors would be much more supportive than this and it’s really frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893583 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 11:32:01 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2893583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried BF DD and it was a nightmare. I started pumping in the hospital. Switched to FF after two weeks and that was that. No regrets what so ever.</p> <p>And seriously, is the football hold comfortable for anyone? Cause I felt like I was going to drop her every time I tried that, and that's the hold all the LC's were pushing for!?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893575 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 10:52:43 +0000 runnerd 2893575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bravo to this!!!! I exclusively FF both by babies. After the level of anxiety I felt about BF before I even had the baby and reading and researching, I was sure my mental health would suffer. I absolutely made a decision that I knew would be best for my postpartum health and bonding - never once regretted it! </p> <p>Glad you were able to find this choice helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893567 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 10:26:11 +0000 alphagam84 2893567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I formula fed both my babies and it was such a great experience! No regrets! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893566 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 10:11:41 +0000 paigeface 2893566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I too exclusively FF my second LO. Best decision for us. She was a great breast-feeder but I just could not get into it, was also returning to work pretty quickly and have a toddler who needs a lot of attention. With my first I felt so much guilt when BF didn't work out but with her I am so much more relaxed and a happy mommy because I didn't force myself to stick with it. Three weeks straight and then I was done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893559 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 09:51:57 +0000 charm55 2893559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love formula feeding, too. I loved how relaxed we both were during feedings and I loved the freedom it gave. I’m sure it helped my girls STTN from a very young age too. Enjoy these special times ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893558 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 09:46:07 +0000 crazydoglady 2893558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: That's so great!! I'm glad that your new feeding plan has given you peace. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusively-formula-feeding-for-baby-2#post-2893552 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 09:17:11 +0000 DillonLion 2893552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my first baby, I combo fed breast milk and formula. My milk took 5 days to come in and we struggled with supply and latch issues the whole time. I went back to work at 12 weeks old and pumped enough for half her feeds. At 8 months, she quit wanting to nurse so I exclusively pumped around the clock to continue providing her breast milk. She got breast milk one way or another until she turned 1. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and while I'm proud, I had some really strong feelings about the whole thing. It got in the way of our bonding and contributed to my PPD. LO never seemed that keen on nursing anyway and I didn't like the sensation and constant exposure/stimulation required for nursing. There was never a time where we both could relax and enjoy the experience. It was all awkward football holds and mastitis and uncomfortableness.</p> <p>For this baby, my goal was to BOND with my kid first and foremost. Bonus points if he and I both could enjoy the feeding experience. After a lot of therapy, I was even open to try nursing again, but only if it was enjoyable for everyone. </p> <p>I nursed him once in the recovery room after my c section. It wound up involving a lactation consultant helping to shove my nipple into my baby's mouth and I knew instantly that this was not the path I was going down again this time. </p> <p>Since then we have been formula feeding exclusively and I LOVE it so much. Feeding and caring for my baby is finally a joy and feels how I always wished it would feel. If he goes a longer stretch overnight, I can just enjoy it vs. worrying about my supply or having to pump. Mixing up and cleaning bottles is so much less work than bottles plus pump parts plus us both being covered in breast milk. I dont have to constantly whip out a body part. He's healthy and growing and satisfied. </p> <p>I'm very thankful for this surprising experience! I was so disappointed last time to find motherhood unnatural and unenjoyable (in the early days). This (plus an amazingly uncomplicated birth) has really redeemed things for me. </p>