alternatives to 100% breastfeeding

OK, I hate to say this, but practically everything I read on this ng
about breastfeeding is actually turning me away from it. (perhaps it's
good that I read all of this *before* diving into the situation, so I
thank everyone, even though this is probably not the reaction that some
of you would rather see) I would like to know more about the
alternatives. So, we've got 100% bottle feeding, or supplementing
breastmilk with formula.

Someone posted and said that she had pumped at first until her supply
ran dry. I forget who that was and am too brain dead to do a google
search (my apologies - really not feeling well these days). I'm hoping
that she's reading and can post and give more details. I would like to
know more about her experiences. I also know that Daye pumped for the
first 6 weeks.

One more question: how long would it take to basically pump yourself
dry? I am not implying that if I did this, I would be in a hurry (if I
were in a hurry I would just put up with the initial engorgement and
never pump at all). I am just curious about how much one might be able
to expect to get. Maybe Daye can help out here. Was it extremely
difficult to get 6 weeks out of pumping?

I'm leaning more and more towards the idea of pumping and bottle feeding
(using EBM and formula as needed). Personal reasons, as well as a skin
condition that has been haunting me for a long time (was going to see
specialists about it and how to deal with it during BFing - will have to
go on nasty drugs after baby and breastfeeding are all done), are the
driving factors, here. I never wanted to breastfeed, but DH managed to
get me to change my mind. However, reading about other peoples'
experiences is making me go back to what I originally wanted (probably
much to DH's annoyance, but if he complains, I'll tell him to grow
breasts and do it himself). If I don't breastfeed and instead pump for
the first couple of months, or something, I can go on the drugs sooner
rather than later, and with supplementing, hopefully I won't experience
some of the things I've read about here regarding breastfeeding a
newborn. I don't want to lose my mind. I've lost enough of it already.
;-)

I know I'm being bitchier than normal, but I can't help it. My
apologies for the tone of this post.

"Vicky Bilaniuk" wrote in message
.. .
OK, I hate to say this, but practically everything I read on this ng
about breastfeeding is actually turning me away from it. (perhaps it's
good that I read all of this *before* diving into the situation, so I
thank everyone, even though this is probably not the reaction that some
of you would rather see) I would like to know more about the
alternatives. So, we've got 100% bottle feeding, or supplementing
breastmilk with formula.

Someone posted and said that she had pumped at first until her supply
ran dry. I forget who that was and am too brain dead to do a google
search (my apologies - really not feeling well these days). I'm hoping
that she's reading and can post and give more details. I would like to
know more about her experiences. I also know that Daye pumped for the
first 6 weeks.

One more question: how long would it take to basically pump yourself
dry? I am not implying that if I did this, I would be in a hurry (if I
were in a hurry I would just put up with the initial engorgement and
never pump at all). I am just curious about how much one might be able
to expect to get. Maybe Daye can help out here. Was it extremely
difficult to get 6 weeks out of pumping?

I'm leaning more and more towards the idea of pumping and bottle feeding
(using EBM and formula as needed). Personal reasons, as well as a skin
condition that has been haunting me for a long time (was going to see
specialists about it and how to deal with it during BFing - will have to
go on nasty drugs after baby and breastfeeding are all done), are the
driving factors, here. I never wanted to breastfeed, but DH managed to
get me to change my mind. However, reading about other peoples'
experiences is making me go back to what I originally wanted (probably
much to DH's annoyance, but if he complains, I'll tell him to grow
breasts and do it himself). If I don't breastfeed and instead pump for
the first couple of months, or something, I can go on the drugs sooner
rather than later, and with supplementing, hopefully I won't experience
some of the things I've read about here regarding breastfeeding a
newborn. I don't want to lose my mind. I've lost enough of it already.
;-)

I know I'm being bitchier than normal, but I can't help it. My
apologies for the tone of this post.


Dear Vicky,

Just wanted to point out -- apart from your medical condition being an issue
for you -- those of us who are nursing 98% effortlessly, are not posting
with concerns. And our posts to misc.kids.breastfeeding are often going to
be those 2% of the time when we have questions. Having to deal with pumps
or formula, keep bottles clean, stinky diapers (bm poo doesn't stink),
stained baby clothes (breastmilk doesn't stain at all), etc. sounds like SO
MUCH WORK at a time when that is a bad thing. Particularly in the middle of
the night. Meg is 5.5 mos and well over 17 pounds and off the charts for
height. She has had nothing but breastmilk (apart from giving her some
reasonably tidy adult foods to play with during my mealtimes, which she does
not actually consume, and water to play at "drinking"). She has had two
colds that she caught from me, but never run a fever or showed any serious
fussiness. She was never jaundiced, she just basically has had no health
problems whatsoever. I am 20 pounds under prepregnancy. I have enjoyed
being about to eat heartily while still losing weight. She sleeps with me,
and when she is hungry at night, I pull out my breast and zone out until it
is time to go back to sleep.

I bought a pump for the first time last weekend and managed to pump only 2
oz in what felt like forever. Babies really get your body producing and
squirting; pumps are some kind of learned art. I only managed to pump
because Meg "started" the breast. I haven't been able to let down for the
pump since. But that's me and I've gone a long time without pumping, so I
am not in an ideal position to start. You'll do better.

-- Dagny

In ,
Vicky Bilaniuk wrote:

*One more question: how long would it take to basically pump yourself
*dry? I am not implying that if I did this, I would be in a hurry (if I

well, literally, it can't happen. it's physiologically impossible. You can
pump out what was stored in your ducts, and that will take a varying
length of time depending on your speed of letdown and how well you respond
to the pump and so forth. But while you're pumping, your breast is making
more milk, constantly.

*were in a hurry I would just put up with the initial engorgement and
*never pump at all). I am just curious about how much one might be able
*to expect to get. Maybe Daye can help out here. Was it extremely
*difficult to get 6 weeks out of pumping?

There are people who exclusively pump, feeding EBM exclusively, for
upwards of six months!!!

*I'm leaning more and more towards the idea of pumping and bottle feeding
*(using EBM and formula as needed). Personal reasons, as well as a skin

Well, good luck to you. I am told that is the hardest choice of all. I
think Chotii did that for her daughter for a long time (exclusively pumped
and fed EBM), perhaps she can advise you.

Best wishes,
Hillary
--
hillary israeli vmd http://www.hillary.net
"uber vaccae in quattuor partes divisum est."
not-so-newly minted veterinarian-at-large

"Vicky Bilaniuk" wrote
I'm leaning more and more towards the idea of pumping and bottle feeding
(using EBM and formula as needed). Personal reasons, as well as a skin
condition that has been haunting me for a long time (was going to see
specialists about it and how to deal with it during BFing - will have to
go on nasty drugs after baby snip, etc

Hey, that's ok-- you don't have to justify your decision, it's a personal
one, and no one should judge you for making it. My midwife was telling me
that she thinks a lot more people would give breastfeed a try or stick to
it, if bf advocates wouldn't jump on them for not making a 100%, no-choice,
all bf all the time decision etc. The midwife told me she actually has quite
a few patients who use both formula and bf too, and are succesful and happy
and have no problems.

I can't help you since I am clueless about bf-ing and have so much to learn
and no experience! But just wanted to say that my midwife did mention that a
lot of people do what you are asking about, with no problems. And that your
decision is a personal one and is the best decision for you

Jill

Vicky Bilaniuk wrote:


One more question: how long would it take to basically pump yourself
dry? I am not implying that if I did this, I would be in a hurry (if I
were in a hurry I would just put up with the initial engorgement and
never pump at all). I am just curious about how much one might be able
to expect to get. Maybe Daye can help out here. Was it extremely
difficult to get 6 weeks out of pumping?


Some women have pumped exclusively for their babies for months -
assuming you pump regularly and have a high-quality pump, I don't think
your supply is likely to just go away.


I'm leaning more and more towards the idea of pumping and bottle feeding
(using EBM and formula as needed). Personal reasons, as well as a skin
condition that has been haunting me for a long time (was going to see
specialists about it and how to deal with it during BFing - will have to
go on nasty drugs after baby and breastfeeding are all done), are the
driving factors, here. I never wanted to breastfeed, but DH managed to
get me to change my mind. However, reading about other peoples'
experiences is making me go back to what I originally wanted (probably
much to DH's annoyance, but if he complains, I'll tell him to grow
breasts and do it himself). If I don't breastfeed and instead pump for
the first couple of months, or something, I can go on the drugs sooner
rather than later, and with supplementing, hopefully I won't experience
some of the things I've read about here regarding breastfeeding a
newborn. I don't want to lose my mind. I've lost enough of it already.
;-)


Why would pumping rather than BF allow you to take the drugs sooner? I
think I'm missing something here.

Clisby

"Vicky Bilaniuk" wrote in message
.. .
OK, I hate to say this, but practically everything I read on this ng
about breastfeeding is actually turning me away from it. (perhaps it's
good that I read all of this *before* diving into the situation, so I
thank everyone, even though this is probably not the reaction that some
of you would rather see) I would like to know more about the
alternatives. So, we've got 100% bottle feeding, or supplementing
breastmilk with formula.

Someone posted and said that she had pumped at first until her supply
ran dry. I forget who that was and am too brain dead to do a google
search (my apologies - really not feeling well these days). I'm hoping
that she's reading and can post and give more details. I would like to
know more about her experiences. I also know that Daye pumped for the
first 6 weeks.

One more question: how long would it take to basically pump yourself
dry? I am not implying that if I did this, I would be in a hurry (if I
were in a hurry I would just put up with the initial engorgement and
never pump at all). I am just curious about how much one might be able
to expect to get. Maybe Daye can help out here. Was it extremely
difficult to get 6 weeks out of pumping?

I'm leaning more and more towards the idea of pumping and bottle feeding
(using EBM and formula as needed). Personal reasons, as well as a skin
condition that has been haunting me for a long time (was going to see
specialists about it and how to deal with it during BFing - will have to
go on nasty drugs after baby and breastfeeding are all done), are the
driving factors, here. I never wanted to breastfeed, but DH managed to
get me to change my mind. However, reading about other peoples'
experiences is making me go back to what I originally wanted (probably
much to DH's annoyance, but if he complains, I'll tell him to grow
breasts and do it himself). If I don't breastfeed and instead pump for
the first couple of months, or something, I can go on the drugs sooner
rather than later, and with supplementing, hopefully I won't experience
some of the things I've read about here regarding breastfeeding a
newborn. I don't want to lose my mind. I've lost enough of it already.
;-)

I know I'm being bitchier than normal, but I can't help it. My
apologies for the tone of this post.

I hope I don't get jumped on for this since it's out of the norm but I'll
tell you what I did with DS. I was going through a rough time with some post
partum depression and DS was in the hospital for a week after he was born (I
was sent home after 2 day). What worked and worked very well for me was
pumping and then feeding him that milk with a bottle. It allowed my husband
to get up and feed him some times so I could get some rest and it allowed my
dad to feed him while I was at school. All the while he got the benefits of
breastmilk. We also made sure that he had plenty of cuddling and skin
contact. I pumped for 18 months altogether. First six months, he was fed
exclusively the EBM, and little by little the EBM was cut out from months
15-18. I used a Medela Pump In Style. As a grad research asst, I was lucky
to have my own office (with a lock) so I pumped a couple of times a day when
I was at school and had an insulated pack with a few cold packs that kept
the milk fresh until I got home. It worked very well for me. I'll probably
try breastfeeding with this baby but its nice to know that I have what I
think is a perfectly reasonable alternative as a back up. Pumping that much
that long took effort sometimes but I'm happy I did it. I wanted to give him
BM if I could. My SIL tried to make me feel bad about not being "pure"
breastfeeder but she tends to be holier-than-thou on a lot of things.

--
Jenn
DS 06/26/98
1 tiny angel 11/03
EDD Early December 2004
--
Leader of the Cult of Worshippers of BiPolar Long-Haired Sexy Anime Guys
with Swords

"ModernMiko" wrote in message
...

| I hope I don't get jumped on for this since it's out of the norm but I'll
| tell you what I did with DS. I was going through a rough time with some
post
| partum depression and DS was in the hospital for a week after he was born
(I
| was sent home after 2 day). What worked and worked very well for me was
| pumping and then feeding him that milk with a bottle. It allowed my
husband
| to get up and feed him some times so I could get some rest and it allowed
my
| dad to feed him while I was at school. All the while he got the benefits
of
| breastmilk. We also made sure that he had plenty of cuddling and skin
| contact. I pumped for 18 months altogether. First six months, he was fed
| exclusively the EBM, and little by little the EBM was cut out from months
| 15-18. I used a Medela Pump In Style. As a grad research asst, I was lucky
| to have my own office (with a lock) so I pumped a couple of times a day
when
| I was at school and had an insulated pack with a few cold packs that kept
| the milk fresh until I got home. It worked very well for me. I'll probably
| try breastfeeding with this baby but its nice to know that I have what I
| think is a perfectly reasonable alternative as a back up. Pumping that
much
| that long took effort sometimes but I'm happy I did it. I wanted to give
him
| BM if I could. My SIL tried to make me feel bad about not being "pure"
| breastfeeder but she tends to be holier-than-thou on a lot of things.
|

Wow! Good for you for pumping for so long Jenn! I am truly impressed. I had
to pump for DD for 4 weeks before she learned to latch on and I know it's
not an easy thing to do especially in those early months.

Nadene

"Vicky Bilaniuk" wrote in message
.. .
| OK, I hate to say this, but practically everything I read on this ng
| about breastfeeding is actually turning me away from it.

I'm curious as to what has turned you off. Is it the problems people are
having? Yes some people do have problems in the early months but some don't.
I had tons of problems and I'm not going to say it was easy cause it was
very hard for me. But I am SO glad I stuck with it. My DD is now 11 months
old and still nursing away and I just love it.When she is sad or hurt I'll
nurse her and she stops crying immediately. The first 6 weeks are the
hardest but it is all so worth it in the end.

Why don't you give it a go for two months or so. If you still don't want to
breastfeed, you can always at that point either start pumping or start
supplementing with formula. Breastmilk is so much better for babies than
formula (this is a scientific fact so please no one post how their babies
are just fine being fed formula).

Good luck whatever your decision.

Nadene

"Plissken" wrote in message
news:kqZbc.23494$oR5.22717@pd7tw3no...

"ModernMiko" wrote in message
...

| I hope I don't get jumped on for this since it's out of the norm but
I'll
| tell you what I did with DS. I was going through a rough time with some
post
| partum depression and DS was in the hospital for a week after he was
born
(I
| was sent home after 2 day). What worked and worked very well for me was
| pumping and then feeding him that milk with a bottle. It allowed my
husband
| to get up and feed him some times so I could get some rest and it
allowed
my
| dad to feed him while I was at school. All the while he got the benefits
of
| breastmilk. We also made sure that he had plenty of cuddling and skin
| contact. I pumped for 18 months altogether. First six months, he was fed
| exclusively the EBM, and little by little the EBM was cut out from
months
| 15-18. I used a Medela Pump In Style. As a grad research asst, I was
lucky
| to have my own office (with a lock) so I pumped a couple of times a day
when
| I was at school and had an insulated pack with a few cold packs that
kept
| the milk fresh until I got home. It worked very well for me. I'll
probably
| try breastfeeding with this baby but its nice to know that I have what I
| think is a perfectly reasonable alternative as a back up. Pumping that
much
| that long took effort sometimes but I'm happy I did it. I wanted to give
him
| BM if I could. My SIL tried to make me feel bad about not being "pure"
| breastfeeder but she tends to be holier-than-thou on a lot of things.
|

Wow! Good for you for pumping for so long Jenn! I am truly impressed. I
had
to pump for DD for 4 weeks before she learned to latch on and I know it's
not an easy thing to do especially in those early months.

Nadene


Thanks Nadene. Once I got a system in place, it wasn't too bad although I
was ready to give it up by the time I did.

--
Jenn
DS 06/26/98
1 tiny angel 11/03
EDD Early December 2004
--
Leader of the Cult of Worshippers of BiPolar Long-Haired Sexy Anime Guys
with Swords

Vicky Bilaniuk wrote:


One more question: how long would it take to basically pump yourself
dry? I am not implying that if I did this, I would be in a hurry (if I
were in a hurry I would just put up with the initial engorgement and
never pump at all). I am just curious about how much one might be able
to expect to get. Maybe Daye can help out here. Was it extremely
difficult to get 6 weeks out of pumping?

It really depends on the person. Some women can
maintain their supply very handily with exclusive pumping,
others can barely pump anything, ever, and most women are
somewhere in between.

I'm leaning more and more towards the idea of pumping and bottle feeding
(using EBM and formula as needed). Personal reasons, as well as a skin
condition that has been haunting me for a long time (was going to see
specialists about it and how to deal with it during BFing - will have to
go on nasty drugs after baby and breastfeeding are all done), are the
driving factors, here. I never wanted to breastfeed, but DH managed to
get me to change my mind. However, reading about other peoples'
experiences is making me go back to what I originally wanted (probably
much to DH's annoyance, but if he complains, I'll tell him to grow
breasts and do it himself). If I don't breastfeed and instead pump for
the first couple of months, or something, I can go on the drugs sooner
rather than later, and with supplementing, hopefully I won't experience
some of the things I've read about here regarding breastfeeding a
newborn. I don't want to lose my mind. I've lost enough of it already.
;-)

Hmm...I'm a little confused. It seems to me you've
got two separate issues going on here, and I'm not sure I
understand all the interactions. Issue #1 is breastmilk
vs. formula. Do I understand correctly that the drugs you
wish to take are a problem with breastmilk, such that once
you start taking them, whenever that is, you will no longer
be able to feed the baby breastmilk? Issue #2 (at least for
the breastmilk situation) is breast vs. bottle. Does
the skin condition affect breastfeeding directly, or is
it just that the drugs you would take for it are problematic
in the breastmilk? I guess I'm confused because you say
you can take the drugs sooner if you pump than if you
breastfeed, but I don't understand how that would be
the case.
Second, I'm a little confused as to your goal.
It sounds like you want to feed *some* breastmilk? What,
specifically, do you want to accomplish? Do you just want
to give breastmilk as long as it's easy? Or is there a
period of time that you want to be able to give breastmilk?
Or what? I'm thinking that how you'd want to approach this
would depend on precisely what your goals are. For instance,
if you want to, say, be able to take the drugs by, oh,
three months postpartum, then probably the easiest thing
to do is ditch the idea of pumping, breastfeed, introduce
a bottle of formula fairly early (because you obviously
won't have a fit if nipple confusion results, but you'd
be in trouble if the baby refused a bottle), and see how
long your supply holds up and how long you want to wait
to take the drugs.
Anyway, I guess I don't understand how pumping
and feeding EBM in a bottle helps you out? Pumping just
really seems the hard way to go about this, because it
takes longer to pump than to nurse in the first place,
and even when you're done, you still haven't fed the
baby! Everyone is different, but in my case, it takes
about 10 minutes, max, to nurse, but it takes a good
20 minutes to pump enough for a feeding, and then around
15 minutes to feed that much to the baby in a bottle.
So when I think of ease, 10 minutes sounds waaaaaay
better to me than 35+ minutes to accomplish the same
thing, and that's before I've washed out the pump and
the bottles. I think in your situation, I'd be far more
tempted to nurse and feed formula in a bottle, given
that the drugs will eventually make EBM not an option
anyway? You may compromise your supply by supplementing,
but that doesn't seem like it would be the end of the
world to you, and you'd get much more of a break
supplementing with formula than trying to pump and
feed all the time. Or am I missing something here?
(That's not to say I don't admire women who pump and
feed EBM exclusively, for whatever reason. It just
doesn't sound like you're particularly hell bent on
avoiding formula and that you'd need to be on formula
full time by the time you start taking the drugs, so
I'm not sure I see the problem with introducing formula
for the bottle feedings rather than EBM.)

Best wishes,
Ericka