Anyone EFF?

[cheeseandrice]

I'm debating just skipping the whole nursing thing right away with this one. It was hell the first 6w with Lo and she was really slow to gain weight. So I know I had stuff working against me, but I was never super passionate about BFing anyway. She was EFF by the time I went back to work at 10w.

Anyway. I may try nursing a few weeks again but ultimately I just don't see myself pumping at work.

So. Anyone else skip straight to formula? Did you bring some to the hospital? Do anything different as far as for you?

[cheeseandrice]

Oct 18, 2015 16:11:11 GMT -5 frantastic said:

I plan on trying to BF but am not going to put up a fight if it doesn't go well. I had very low supply with DS, he lost too much weight, and I ended up EPing and supplementing. I'm not really interested in EPing again.

Just in case, I am bringing formula (the little 2oz pre made sample bottles) to the hospital because I'm not clear as to whether or not they supply any.

This is sort of where I'm at.  I never could EP.  I hated pumping so much the few times I did it for Lo. She didnt' get back to birth weight until almost 5w. and had like a dozen pedi appts by then (weight checks every couple days) and it totally ruined the first month home iwth her.  I had some PPA too (likely worsened by all that.)

BUTTTT BF'ing is free. lol

[cheeseandrice]

Thanks ladies. I'm glad I'm not alone in the "I'm going to give it a go, but no pressure if it doesn't work" kind of mindset. Maybe I'll pick up a small container of formula to have with just in case.

[vshumway]

I'm in the same boat as alicia0818. We are going to attempt BFing, but DD lost so much weight, we were doing weight checks every three days, weighted feelings, etc. It was extremely stressful. And I couldn't pump to save my life. I made more than enough milk (all the weighted feelings told me so), but I couldn't produce when pumping. With her, I was lucky and didnt have to go back to work until she was almost 6 months old, so we started the switch to formula around 5 months old. This time, he will be just over 2 months old when I have to go back to work. So if it's as stressful and I'm not pumping well, then I'm not going to force it. I don't want my entire two months home with him dreading every feeding and crying because he won't gain weight.

[mommytoone]

We went straight to using formula. We didn't take any to the hospital because the hospital provided Similac Advance. However, when we got home all we had was Gerber gentle so we have been using that but about once or twice a week he will projectile vomit(doesn't spit up or anything otherwise) we are about to switch him back to see if it's the formula causing it since while we were in the hospital he didn't spit up at all.

[link7913]

Oct 19, 2015 1:17:25 GMT -5 . said:

What type(a) of formula are you using? BTDTs, do you have a preference for the premixed or the powdered?

Following because so far EPing > BFing, but we're already seeing a need to supplement.

With DD1, I supplemented with Enfamil Gentlease. We used the powder. I would mix up 4 oz in the am, keep it in the fridge, and add an oz or 2 to each bottle during the day. I EP'd with her too. Good luck. It is so much work to EP. You are doing a great job!

[wdwrocksmysocks]

So glad you started this thread. We tried BF but my milk never came in and we decided to EFF. The same thing happened with DD1, but I tried for over a month to BF. She lost so much weight. I went to 5 LCs, tried physical therapy and tried lots of supplements to try and help. Nothing worked and I felt like such a failure. So, this time I said eff it.

We tried Similac Advance at first but she kept spitting up after every feeding. We switched to Enfamil Gentlease and she's been doing well so far.

[cheeseandrice]

We had the Browns pitcher with Lo and it was awesome.

. we used Enfamil at first with Lo because I had a ton of coupons. Then switched to Up&Up with no issues. We could swap back and forth and she was fine as long as we got the Target generic of Enfamil. They have a Similar generic too if you find that works better.

Buy small containers until you know he tolerates it.

Lo had a bit of reflux so we switched to the AR formula around 4 months or so?

[cheeseandrice]

Oh! Try giving it cold from the beginning. Or room temp or whatever it is when you make it we never really heated Lo's bottles and she never got a preference for warmed ones which made.life WAY easier.

If you stick with FF, Tommee Tippee makes theses awesome.formula containers that fit in bottles. So you can have water and powder premeasured together and just mix as needed.

[cheeseandrice]

Oct 19, 2015 3:44:40 GMT -5 wdwrocksmysocks said:

So glad you started this thread. We tried BF but my milk never came in and we decided to EFF. The same thing happened with DD1, but I tried for over a month to BF. She lost so much weight. I went to 5 LCs, tried physical therapy and tried lots of supplements to try and help. Nothing worked and I felt like such a failure. So, this time I said eff it.

We tried Similac Advance at first but she kept spitting up after every feeding. We switched to Enfamil Gentlease and she's been doing well so far.

I've seen friends go down this road and it just seems so stressful. If BF is super important I can see how it's worth it. I don't have strong feelings either way though and Lo is just fine being raised on formula. By the time I add up the supplements and nursing tanks and pump parts and bags and Dr visits for weight checks, I bet formula would actually have been cheaper the first 3 months anyway....

[cheeseandrice]

Oct 19, 2015 7:55:24 GMT -5 alicia0818 said:

Oct 19, 2015 7:11:09 GMT -5 cheeseandrice said:

Oh! Try giving it cold from the beginning. Or room temp or whatever it is when you make it we never really heated Lo's bottles and she never got a preference for warmed ones which made.life WAY easier.

If you stick with FF, Tommee Tippee makes theses awesome.formula containers that fit in bottles. So you can have water and powder premeasured together and just mix as needed.

Say what? Do they fit into the smaller TT bottles? DD1 never took more than 4-5oz at a time so we have mostly small bottles and only like 2 of the 6 or 8 oz ones. Off to search Amazon!

ETA - damn they're for the 9oz bottles.

They physically fit in the smaller bottles, but there's not a ton of space left for water, if I remember right.

BUT you can pack them anyway! They're awesome and have a pretty good seal on them. The top is in two parts so you can have it totally coverless to put the powder into the little cup. Andthen leave part of the top on to pour easily into the bottle.  If you weren't going to store in the bottle, I'd probably put it in a small ziploc, but I bet it wouldn't spill at all. The covers snap on pretty tight.

[wdwrocksmysocks]

Oct 19, 2015 7:14:58 GMT -5 cheeseandrice said:

I've seen friends go down this road and it just seems so stressful. If BF is super important I can see how it's worth it. I don't have strong feelings either way though and Lo is just fine being raised on formula. By the time I add up the supplements and nursing tanks and pump parts and bags and Dr visits for weight checks, I bet formula would actually have been cheaper the first 3 months anyway....

It was SO stressful. I felt pressured into BFing. Everywhere I went it was always, "breast is best" and I was made to feel like my DD would be doomed if I EFF. So, of course I tried eveything instead of listening to my mama instincts and her pedi (very pro-choice on feeding). I felt so defeated and DH was the one who finally said to stop listening to everyone else and do what works for us.

I feel SO much better this go around. I hate that I wasted a month of DD1's life obsessing over it. Awful!

[mrsjac1210]

Ok. I started this post by quoting a specific person but I changed my mind. I just want to say to all you moms that EFF no matter your reason for it- You go mommies!!

It makes me sick that any one of you felt pressured to bf. Or felt like failures or that your baby was doomed when you couldn't/didn't. Breast is best for some NOT all. People forget that not everyone is so cookie cutter. Some woman can't and some women simply don't want to. Who cares your reason. You shouldn't have to justify why you don't want to bf. Why does it matter how anyone else chooses to feed their child. The first months with a new baby are hard enough with the hormones and adjusting to your new lo, no mommy needs the added stress of judgmental disapproving outsiders. No one should ever be made to feel guilty for doing what's best for their family. Geesh.

Rant over. Sorry for the rambling.

[pambeesley]

Oct 19, 2015 4:15:34 GMT -5 greenhairedgnome said:

Oct 19, 2015 1:17:25 GMT -5 . said:

What type(a) of formula are you using? BTDTs, do you have a preference for the premixed or the powdered?

Following because so far EPing > BFing, but we're already seeing a need to supplement.

We're using Similac Advanced, powdered. We use a Dr. Brown pitcher and keep it mixed in the refrigerator. The premixed is easier but more expensive.

FYI for anyone who doesn't know, if you register on their sites Enfamil and Similac will send you some samples and coupons. Similac also now has a rewards program.

We used Enfamil with DS1 and had the pitcher. Let me tell you ., that thing is pure genius. It makes me life so much simpler, especially when you're dog-gone tired during MOTN feeds.

[pambeesley]

Oct 19, 2015 12:43:15 GMT -5 mrsjac1210 said:

Ok. I started this post by quoting a specific person but I changed my mind. I just want to say to all you moms that EFF no matter your reason for it- You go mommies!!

It makes me sick that any one of you felt pressured to bf. Or felt like failures or that your baby was doomed when you couldn't/didn't. Breast is best for some NOT all. People forget that not everyone is so cookie cutter. Some woman can't and some women simply don't want to. Who cares your reason. You shouldn't have to justify why you don't want to bf. Why does it matter how anyone else chooses to feed their child. The first months with a new baby are hard enough with the hormones and adjusting to your new lo, no mommy needs the added stress of judgmental disapproving outsiders. No one should ever be made to feel guilty for doing what's best for their family. Geesh.

Rant over. Sorry for the rambling.

+1. It's like what the flight attendants tell you during take-off in placing your mask on first before the child's. You have to take care of yourself so that you can care for your baby. BFing is not this easy-peasy natural thing that society claims it is. I struggled and nearly spiraled into PPD with DS1 because he was waking to nurse every 45 minutes at 6 months old. I assumed it was a growth spurt but it turned out that I lost my supply due to being 4 months pregnant. That was the worst 3 days for me, breaking down and crying 24/7 over not being able to provide what was "best" for my child. DH threw in the towel, took me to BRU (practically kicking and screaming) and bought formula. Looking back, I regret not buying it the 1st day I struggled. Not only was my little one able to receive the nutrients he needed to grow, I was able to begin caring for myself again, in turn being a better mom. Do whatever YOU think is best, not society, friends, family, etc. 

[cnbpa3027]

Definitely call and ask your hospital if they provide it and what the whole procedure is. I remember at a friends hospital they had a policy that they weren't allowed to offer it, but if you asked for it, they had it to provide to you. She ran into a few issues because one of the nurses kept telling her they didn't have it. Just in case you get a nurse that has a BF agenda, you know what the policy is.

At our hospital they ask you right as you check in if you are going to FF or BF and it goes on the white board and the card on the bassinet so anyone coming into the room knows.

Also, ask your OBs office about it too. A lot of times they get samples and coupons.

I second the recommendation of getting them used to it being room temperature! I wouldn't give it to them cold, but room temp makes it so much easier for outings or middle of the night!

[Squishy622]

I have a question for you guys. We're going to be supplementing long-term (thought I could make enough milk for 2 babies full time... yeah nope). I bought the Dr. Brown's pitcher the other day on your recommendation (thanks!).

Is there a scooper that you'd recommend for larger quantities? I hate the damn tiny scoop that comes in the Enfamil container. We'll probably only be making 12 oz or so at a time but I really, really hate that thing. Thanks!

[cheeseandrice]

Oct 21, 2015 23:11:52 GMT -5 Squishy622 said:

I have a question for you guys. We're going to be supplementing long-term (thought I could make enough milk for 2 babies full time... yeah nope). I bought the Dr. Brown's pitcher the other day on your recommendation (thanks!).

Is there a scooper that you'd recommend for larger quantities? I hate the damn tiny scoop that comes in the Enfamil container. We'll probably only be making 12 oz or so at a time but I really, really hate that thing. Thanks!

Nope. I think you're kind of stick with it. I suppose you could measure out power from the scoop into something else. No clue... is 6 scoops like a cup or formula or something?