I'm still breastfeeding, at nearly six months. During these looooing hours spent feeding I've had a lot of time to think about the breastfeeding community, what it means to formula feed, how to settle your baby without the boob and the mechanics and science of breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
We are now combi feeding, with one bottle given at 7pm so I can have a break. My little gannet still breastfeeds after the bottle but is usually done by 9. He has had his seemingly mild tongue tie snipped. I suspect this 'mild' tongue tie was causing more problems than anyone realised. I should have trusted my instincts and got it snipped much earlier. Now I just can't be arsed to improve his latch, but that's fine. He's getting plenty of food and growing nicely
I feel out of place in breastfeedingplo message boards and groups. Members shout about how wonderful bf is, and I don't feel there is room for someone like me who doesn't enjoy it. I dont dislike it, its just how I feed my boy. But I feel alienated from the breast is best lot, from those who will do everything to keep women exclusively breastfeeding. We introduced a bottle of formula because its easy and gives me a much needed break. I don't think there is anything wrong with formula. I'd rather not feed to sleep each night and I loathe co-sleeping. Yet all you hear is how natural it is. If read 'biological norm one more time I'll scream. There doesn't seem to be room for women who aren't evangelical about bf.
I've been reading boobshalffull.wordpress.com a blog on combi feeding and low supply. She talks about how to supplement, to manage your supply and the various physical reasons why bf doesn't work, and the diagnosis rates for these problems. It's well worth a read.
I am now in the position where I want to bf for at least a year. Not because I enjoy it but because I want the experience. I've gone all clinical in my desires around it.
We are now combi feeding, with one bottle given at 7pm so I can have a break. My little gannet still breastfeeds after the bottle but is usually done by 9. He has had his seemingly mild tongue tie snipped. I suspect this 'mild' tongue tie was causing more problems than anyone realised. I should have trusted my instincts and got it snipped much earlier. Now I just can't be arsed to improve his latch, but that's fine. He's getting plenty of food and growing nicely
I feel out of place in breastfeedingplo message boards and groups. Members shout about how wonderful bf is, and I don't feel there is room for someone like me who doesn't enjoy it. I dont dislike it, its just how I feed my boy. But I feel alienated from the breast is best lot, from those who will do everything to keep women exclusively breastfeeding. We introduced a bottle of formula because its easy and gives me a much needed break. I don't think there is anything wrong with formula. I'd rather not feed to sleep each night and I loathe co-sleeping. Yet all you hear is how natural it is. If read 'biological norm one more time I'll scream. There doesn't seem to be room for women who aren't evangelical about bf.
I've been reading boobshalffull.wordpress.com a blog on combi feeding and low supply. She talks about how to supplement, to manage your supply and the various physical reasons why bf doesn't work, and the diagnosis rates for these problems. It's well worth a read.
I am now in the position where I want to bf for at least a year. Not because I enjoy it but because I want the experience. I've gone all clinical in my desires around it.