What is the difference between breastfeeding and bottle feeding with breast milk?
ByI had my baby 9 days ago and breastfeeding is so hard and my nipples are in pain. I was wondering what are the pros and cons in feeding the baby from the bottle but with breastmilk (pumping)? And if anyone knows how long it takes the nipple to get used to the sucking?
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8 Comments
April 6th, 2010 at 5:29 am
I dont have any babies cuz im to young, but i have heard my mom and some other ladies say that the longer you breastfeed your baby the smarter they are! like its more healthy for them now, and in the long run…
April 6th, 2010 at 5:45 am
Make sure your latch is correct, incorrect latch is the #1 cause of nipple pain. Try some lanolin ointment and soothie pads to ease the pain between nursings. Pumping is not bad but it is time consuming- first you have to pump, then give the bottle and then wash all the pump parts and bottles. If you don’t have a top of the line pump your milk supply may suffer as well. You may want to speak to your ob/gyn about the soreness, it may also be a problem like thrush. My soreness didn’t last beyond 2 weeks with either child and my second one had them cracked and bleeding while he was learning to nurse.
April 6th, 2010 at 6:15 am
I didn’t breastfeed but I’ve heard pumping is so much harder and just as painful on the nipples. If you don’t exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 weeks you may not make enough milk in the future. Even after the first 6 weeks, if you exclusively pump it will hurt your supply. That’s why most mothers who just pump have to supplement with formula or wean their baby completely to formula eventually.
April 6th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Hi.
We seem to be in the same boat.
All I know is that giving your baby expressed breast milk is just as good as neat from the breast.
Also the pain in the nipples/breasts.. for some people it takes time.
You are doing great. Good luck!
April 6th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Its not a horrible alternative (I am pumping only because I was ill for 10 days after baby birth and she got too attached to eating from bottle) but I would recommend giving breast feeding a bit more time. I have friends that say it took a few weeks for the nipples to get used to it–in the meantime make sure you are using a nipple cream and that your baby is latching correctly. Contact your local La Leche League, an experienced midwife, a lactation consultant, etc for some advice.
The only pro I can think of to breast milk in a bottle over regular breastfeeding is that the father can participate in feeding from the get-go. But for cons 1) breastmilk from your breasts doesnt have to be stored or heated, 2) emotional attachment b/w mom and baby that comes from breast feeding, 3) waking up in the middle of the night to feed your child AND pump is more exhausting than just feeding from breast 4) at a certain point I had to pump an hour at least 6 times a day to make enough for her to eat.
Good luck!
April 6th, 2010 at 8:36 am
I was BF my daughter for a week but she lost was too much weight so I started EP and bottle feed her. Now she wont latch on. EPing is so time consuming you have to be dedicated BFing is so much easier
April 6th, 2010 at 9:08 am
it takes a while for your nipples to get used to breastfeeding, it can be very painful at first! it got so bad with my son that i pumped and gave him my breastmilk in a bottle until it didn’t hurt anymore. he gets all the nutrients from you that he would get breastfeeding, there is no difference. and it’s so much better that formula. Don’t give up! it does get better, and you will share some wonderful moments together feeding him! have fun and enjoy that sweet baby, they grow too fast!
April 6th, 2010 at 9:45 am
There is no difference as far as nutrition goes. Some will argue that the baby and mother bond better when breast feeding. I think a mother and her child can bond just as strongly and easily while she feeds them a bottle. She is holding her child close and making eye contact. My doctor told me it is perfectly fine to exclusively pump and that women do it all the time.
I plan on pumping only since I’m having twins and I want my husband to feed them as well. I also find breast feeding a little gross (I know I’ll get thumbs down for that one!) At least I plan on feeding my babies breast milk, it doesn’t matter how it’s done.
They make bottle nipples that are meant for switching from breast to bottle. Try one of those. They are usually wider than a normal nipple. I have heard that pumping can be just as painful and difficult as breast feeding. Try it and see how it goes. Good luck!