I was talking to my sister *who is a 1st time mom of a 16month old* and we were talking about when I have a baby. She was saying that I was wrong for only wanting to use a breast pump then bottle feed it to my baby. That way I wont be having the baby on the boob all day long. Yet the baby will get the nutrients of breast milk. I plan on working after I do have a baby. It will be easier for others to feed him/her once I start working again. What do you all think?

A baby is far away from now but its always good to think of options.

I agree with what you want to do. I wanted Ellie to get my milk, but she was a horrible nurser (it took her 45 mins AT LEAST!) So, I ended up pumping and just feeding it to her in a bottle. Also, Toby felt left out and I wanted him to be able to bond with her too.

It makes no difference whether you pump exclusively or have him/her on the breast. The important thing is that your baby is being fed, right? In 12 months (after he/she is born) it won't make a lick of difference if it was formula or breastmilk either, let alone pumped or on the breast.

She kept going on and on about how its bonding and don't be like the other moms and quit and do formula. I was scared that I was gonna be a bad mom for it. DH says its sweet that I think of this stuff cause I asked him what he thought.

Honey you wont be a bad mom for not bfing and dont let anything make you think that way! Ellie has been on formula exclusively since she was 3 weeks old and she is thriving! What little breastmilk I did give I am still proud of, so if pumping is the way for you, then go for it!! Either way, you are the mommy and you make the decisions, and no one should influence you otherwise!

I think the baby benefits either way so whatever you choose is good for you- its not for your sister to choose for you sweety-good luck:tu:grin:

I think the baby benefits either way so whatever you choose is good for you- its not for your sister to choose for you sweety-good luck:tu:grin:

agreed :yes

Thanks ladies. I guess my sister is gonna act like that cause she has been through this already.

The only thing I want to caution is...some people don't have as good of let down on the pump as the breast, so you may have to pump twice as much as you would normally feed baby to keep your supply up. But Breastmilk is best!

I didn't BF by choice. It was just something I didn't want to do. I understand that their is a special type of bond when you BF but IMO I felt I had a bond also with my kids during feedings. JMO

You're right, your sister is being a little extreme. However, food for thought, I would probably establish your milk supply first by putting your baby to your breast. Your baby will make your body produce more than the pump will. Babies are MUCH more efficient at getting all the milk out than a pump is. It's the whole supply vs. demand thing, ya know? I pumped for both my kids....and they are fine!! lol

Kudos to you though for bfing your baby:)

You can do both, BF occasionally for some bonding and bottle feed breastmilk for convenience. It's also a good way for the dad to get a chance to bond if he gives the bottle (and gives you a break). I plan to BF and go back to work, so that would be my choice too.

Oie. This is one of my hot button subjects. Your sister is wrong to judge you and you have to stop that well before you have a baby because those kinds of comments will cause bad feelings after you have the baby. You can pump. Its a lot of work. More work then breastfeeding and formula feeding. It has to be done right with the right pump. I pumped exclusively for both children. My neighbor is pumping exclusively and I have had several friends do it. My first child had a lactose intolerance and my supply was poorly. I dried up and comments like that made me feel like a horrible person. My second child was in the NICU so I had no other choice but to pump. I had an awesome supply and was a full week ahead of her. I had to stop because when my hubby went to work I wouldn't pump and take care of two kids by myself. I am happy with what I did and my decision to formula feed afterwards. Both of my children are healthy and have never been sick from common contagious viral and bacterial things.

If you want to discuss further then feel free to pm me. :)