Silly/Not So Silly FTM Questions

[cosmicav]

+1 The lotion helps the itching more than the marks.

[obi]

Jul 19, 2016 21:33:15 GMT -5 cosmicav said:

mikaela20, Breastfeeding was excruciating for me. It felt like someone was taking a cheese grater and running it over my nipples. I had to stop after 4 weeks (for a number of reasons, but pain was a factor too). I'm going to try it again this go around, but I admit that I don't look forward to it. Don't feel bad if you need to stop. Your mental well-being is important.

All of this.

But omg at the cheese grater cosmic. I just had a very visceral reaction to that. Like, instinctively grabbed my boobs and everything. *shudders*

[britab]

Jul 20, 2016 9:03:46 GMT -5 obi said:

Jul 19, 2016 21:33:15 GMT -5 cosmicav said:

mikaela20, Breastfeeding was excruciating for me. It felt like someone was taking a cheese grater and running it over my nipples. I had to stop after 4 weeks (for a number of reasons, but pain was a factor too). I'm going to try it again this go around, but I admit that I don't look forward to it. Don't feel bad if you need to stop. Your mental well-being is important.

All of this.

But omg at the cheese grater cosmic. I just had a very visceral reaction to that. Like, instinctively grabbed my boobs and everything. *shudders*

My friend told me the first month is hell and breastfeeding was more painful than birth at the beginning. I think she was pretty right, although my mind blocked most of my painful birth memories and I had an epi, so that helped!

[Deleted]

Jul 20, 2016 9:38:39 GMT -5 ugaqueencity said:

Ideally I would like to breastfeed, but I had a breast reduction when I was a teenager and I don't know if I'll be able to. How do you plan on what to buy as far as bottles and such before baby gets here with so much up in the air? Or are you pretty much guaranteed to be making a mad dash to the store in the first couple of days?

I formula feed DS and I'm going to do so with this LO. If I were in your position I'd get at least a few bottles and have a sample or two of formula just in case.

I loved the Dr. Brown's bottles. They really are the best as far as gas is concerned

[mls5871]

Jul 20, 2016 9:43:04 GMT -5 @priss08 said:

Jul 20, 2016 9:38:39 GMT -5 ugaqueencity said:

Ideally I would like to breastfeed, but I had a breast reduction when I was a teenager and I don't know if I'll be able to. How do you plan on what to buy as far as bottles and such before baby gets here with so much up in the air? Or are you pretty much guaranteed to be making a mad dash to the store in the first couple of days?

I formula feed DS and I'm going to do so with this LO. If I were in your position I'd get at least a few bottles and have a sample or two of formula just in case.

I loved the Dr. Brown's bottles. They really are the best as far as gas is concerned

+1 have a few bottles around. Also, Amazon Prime is your friend. The first few months, I would realize I needed something, holding a sleeping baby in one arm, I'd peruse Amazon on my phone with the other. 2 days later, it shows up on my doorstep. Rarely do you realize you need something and HAVE to have it that day.

[jillywilly]

Jul 20, 2016 9:38:39 GMT -5 ugaqueencity said:

Ideally I would like to breastfeed, but I had a breast reduction when I was a teenager and I don't know if I'll be able to. How do you plan on what to buy as far as bottles and such before baby gets here with so much up in the air? Or are you pretty much guaranteed to be making a mad dash to the store in the first couple of days?

It's a good idea to have at least a few bottles as start-up available. I'm not sure what your plan is as far as working, SAHM, or whatever, but at some point, there's a good chance you'll want someone else to be able to give the baby a bottle (breast milk or formula). Don't go too crazy though, we bought a pack of Tommy Tippee bottles to start before we realized we hated them, and eventually switched to Avent. 

Although, I can almost guarantee you (or your H) will be making a few mad dashes no matter what

[cosmicav]

Jul 20, 2016 9:38:39 GMT -5 ugaqueencity said:

Ideally I would like to breastfeed, but I had a breast reduction when I was a teenager and I don't know if I'll be able to. How do you plan on what to buy as far as bottles and such before baby gets here with so much up in the air? Or are you pretty much guaranteed to be making a mad dash to the store in the first couple of days?

I would get like 2-3 cheap bottles and one can of formula as a just in case. You may be able to take advantage of a free sample can of formula--I think I got one from a prenatal appointment.

That being said, I do think there will be mad dashes to the store either way. Lol. I just sent my H out; no way I was going anywhere a few days post partum.

[sarahh]

+1 to Dr Browns bottles. We registered for a gift pack that included a few sizes, the nipples and cleaning brush.

Also, I take a prenatal and a DHA pill. I am vegetarian so definitely do not get enough DHA in my diet. They make vegetarian DHA pills that you can find on Amazon if anyone is looking for one.

[daisylola11]

Jul 20, 2016 9:38:39 GMT -5 ugaqueencity said:

Ideally I would like to breastfeed, but I had a breast reduction when I was a teenager and I don't know if I'll be able to. How do you plan on what to buy as far as bottles and such before baby gets here with so much up in the air? Or are you pretty much guaranteed to be making a mad dash to the store in the first couple of days?

I always planned for the what if, so I had a few different bottles on hand and a can of my preferred formula just in case. I love the HiPP formula, I had to order it in advance so I made sure I had some. I ended up not using any of the bottles and the formula I mixed into purees later on. I will do the same this time around.

[muskiefan]

Jul 20, 2016 9:38:39 GMT -5 ugaqueencity said:

Ideally I would like to breastfeed, but I had a breast reduction when I was a teenager and I don't know if I'll be able to. How do you plan on what to buy as far as bottles and such before baby gets here with so much up in the air? Or are you pretty much guaranteed to be making a mad dash to the store in the first couple of days?

I have a friend from Jan15 who BF after breast reduction. It didn't change her supply. (She had it between kids)

With C (D12), I just got some medela bottles since we have Symphony pumps in the mother's room at work. I also bought a bunch of other kinds and ended up giving them away since she didn't take to their nipples bit seemed like a waste of money. I would wait and see before buying them, or don't open different kinds until you know one doesn't actually work with your LO.

[Deleted]

Jul 20, 2016 11:28:28 GMT -5 Fearsy said:

I don't know how necessary it is to purchase formula ahead of time if you're planning to breastfeed. Hospitals will often send you home with samples (ours didn't but they were weird and didn't offer pacifiers either). If your hospital doesn't, chances are that you'll receive some at the first pediatrician appointment when babe is just a few days old.

When we had DS I was never offered formula. Not anywhere. The hospital even tried to talk me into breastfeeding after I told them I wasn't interested. That's why I suggest having a few sample cans around.

[ladytiffany24]

Jul 20, 2016 9:38:39 GMT -5 ugaqueencity said:

Ideally I would like to breastfeed, but I had a breast reduction when I was a teenager and I don't know if I'll be able to. How do you plan on what to buy as far as bottles and such before baby gets here with so much up in the air? Or are you pretty much guaranteed to be making a mad dash to the store in the first couple of days?

I haven't read everyone's responses yet but my best piece of advice is to not buy a ton of one specific bottle! Do some research and then buy 1 or 2 of a few brands. You have no way of knowing what bottle baby will take a liking too. So don't go too crazy yet!

While I'm on the subject, same for diapers. Lots of women stock up on diapers only to find out baby is extra sensitive to the kind they bought. Buy a few brands and see what works best before stocking up!

[caer]

Jul 20, 2016 11:32:58 GMT -5 @priss08 said:

Jul 20, 2016 11:28:28 GMT -5 Fearsy said:

I don't know how necessary it is to purchase formula ahead of time if you're planning to breastfeed. Hospitals will often send you home with samples (ours didn't but they were weird and didn't offer pacifiers either). If your hospital doesn't, chances are that you'll receive some at the first pediatrician appointment when babe is just a few days old.

When we had DS I was never offered formula. Not anywhere. The hospital even tried to talk me into breastfeeding after I told them I wasn't interested. That's why I suggest having a few sample cans around.

Our hospital didn't either. I don't think most offer formula at all anymore as more are moving to "breastfeeding friendly" facilities. It's why mine also didn't have a nursery or pacifiers. 🙄

I bought a pack of pre-made bottles to have on hand and will probably do so again. I didn't end up using them. FWIW, I was terrified of breastfeeding but had almost no pain and a very easy experience. I don't say that to brag but to provide some comfort to those FTMs who are nervous. Sometimes I think you hear more about the bad experiences than good.

[Deleted]

Jul 20, 2016 11:56:42 GMT -5 caer said:

Jul 20, 2016 11:32:58 GMT -5 @priss08 said:

When we had DS I was never offered formula. Not anywhere. The hospital even tried to talk me into breastfeeding after I told them I wasn't interested. That's why I suggest having a few sample cans around.

Our hospital didn't either. I don't think most offer formula at all anymore as more are moving to "breastfeeding friendly" facilities. It's why mine also didn't have a nursery or pacifiers. 🙄

I bought a pack of pre-made bottles to have on hand and will probably do so again. I didn't end up using them. FWIW, I was terrified of breastfeeding but had almost no pain and a very easy experience. I don't say that to brag but to provide some comfort to those FTMs who are nervous. Sometimes I think you hear more about the bad experiences than good.

I think that's true. My mom breastfeed all four of her kids until we were around 2. She had a super easy time and loved it.

I didn't/still don't want to breastfeed. I do think that if it's important to a FTM she should give it her best but if it doesn't work out or she feels that it's not for her it's OK to have a plan in place.

This is a slightly sore subject for me though, I got a lot of crap for choosing formula. I even got told my DS would be sick a lot and that wasn't the case at all.

[caer]

Jul 20, 2016 12:18:06 GMT -5 @priss08 said:

Jul 20, 2016 11:56:42 GMT -5 caer said:

Our hospital didn't either. I don't think most offer formula at all anymore as more are moving to "breastfeeding friendly" facilities. It's why mine also didn't have a nursery or pacifiers. 🙄

I bought a pack of pre-made bottles to have on hand and will probably do so again. I didn't end up using them. FWIW, I was terrified of breastfeeding but had almost no pain and a very easy experience. I don't say that to brag but to provide some comfort to those FTMs who are nervous. Sometimes I think you hear more about the bad experiences than good.

I think that's true. My mom breastfeed all four of her kids until we were around 2. She had a super easy time and loved it.

I didn't/still don't want to breastfeed. I do think that if it's important to a FTM she should give it her best but if it doesn't work out or she feels that it's not for her it's OK to have a plan in place.

This is a slightly sore subject for me though, I got a lot of crap for choosing formula. I even got told my DS would be sick a lot and that wasn't the case at all.

Oh I 100% agree. That's why the hospital agenda gets an eyeroll from me. I completely support a mother's right to choose how to feed their kid and think it is absolutely none of my business. I was just offering a happier ancedote for those who were nervous.

[caer]

@priss08 - I just reread my reply above and realized it looks like I was replying to you in the second part. That was meant for the questions about having formula on hand and pain while breastfeeding. I'm sorry anyone has given you a hard time about formula feeding and that was certainly not my intention!

[amacbaby]

@priss08 I am sorry people gave you a hard time about FF and even worse that the hospital was pushy. I agree with caer , a woman should be able to choose to feed her child and use her breasts however she wants without backlash, especially from hospitals. I am a med student and it is my worst irritation so far with "the system."

*steps down off soap box*

ugaqueencity , I haven't read every reply but when we were expecting the twins, I went online and signed up for free samples from every major formula company. A couple sent us a couple decent sized cans, a few pre-made bottles, etc... We mostly breastfed the girls, but really appreciated having that there just in case for the peace of mind.

[Deleted]

Jul 20, 2016 13:25:49 GMT -5 caer said:

@priss08 - I just reread my reply above and realized it looks like I was replying to you in the second part. That was meant for the questions about having formula on hand and pain while breastfeeding. I'm sorry anyone has given you a hard time about formula feeding and that was certainly not my intention!

It's OK! I'm not upset about it or anything. I just think its good for parents to hear positive stories from both sides.

[Deleted]

amacbaby One nurse in particular was the worst, almost everyone else was super nice about it. But still it was upsetting.

[britab]

I breastfed but we did have some samples sent to us that we never used.

We really only needed two bottles. I pumped at work and DD only would take a bottle from the daycare lady.

DD only liked Nuk nipples probably because they were like her pacifiers. We just got a few different kinds at 10 weeks when I was heading back to work.