Exclusively pump or formula?

[Anonymous]

I have a 3 month old who had trouble gaining issues the first month while being EBF. I made the tough decision to exclusively pump + supplement instead of nursing to better ensure that baby was getting ample nutrition. Baby has gained very well and the pediatrician is no longer concerned with growth. She has given the go ahead to resume nursing, but he has refused to nurse. We have been trying for the better part of two weeks and he mostly refuses to nurse. He will either flat out refuse to eat after a couple of minutes or just scream. My only choices are to keep pumping or switch to formula. I'm using a high quality, organic formula, but my hope was to give breastmilk for 6 months. I do have a freezer stash but not enough for the next 3 months. If you were in my shoes, would you continue to pump or switch to formula?

[Anonymous]

It's doesn't have to be either/or. I would switch to formula and try to pump once or twice a day. The benefits of breastmilk are due to the presence of breastmilk, not the absence of formula.

[Anonymous]

Definitely pump as much as possible. Formula will never be as healthy as breastmilk. www.kellymom.com

[Anonymous]

I'd switch to formula. Makes life easier and you get more freedom to relax and enjoy baby.

[Anonymous]

It’s not certain how many of the benefits of breast milk are actually observed in exclusive pumping, so I would switch to formula.

[Anonymous]

I would pump.

[Anonymous]

How much do you mind pumping? If you don’t mind the hassle, then keep doing it, otherwise go all formula.

[Anonymous]

OP, I was in the exact same position with my first five years ago. I EPd for 5 months and pushed myself to save up a months worth freezer stock to get to 6 months. In hindsight I wish I had switched to formula right off the bat. Pumping is so much work and for me mentally taxing. Your baby will be completely fine on formula and if it makes you even 1% happier/more relaxed then that is worth it. I encourage you to read Emily Oster’s posts on breastfeeding vs formula.

[Anonymous]

Formula. Enjoy your baby. You've tried hard enough at breastfeeding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd switch to formula. Makes life easier and you get more freedom to relax and enjoy baby.

+1 Formula has worked great for us.

But you do you. If you want to pump and can produce enough to make it worth your time, then pump. I think most of us can agree that breast milk is amazing stuff. However, If you can't or don't want to, formula is a great substitute. You will never get any kind of consensus here on DCUM, so just go with your gut on this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much do you mind pumping? If you don’t mind the hassle, then keep doing it, otherwise go all formula.

OP here. It's not that bad. I pump 5 times a day for 20-30 minutes at a time. I make roughly 18-20 ounces of breast milk a day. We supplement with 8-12 ounces of formula a day.

[Anonymous]

Formula. Spend time with your baby instead of pumping.

[Anonymous]

I combo fed until I went back to work (4 months). Pregnant again and will try pumping but won’t sweat it if we end up on 100% formula earlier than going back to work. EP is tough!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not certain how many of the benefits of breast milk are actually observed in exclusive pumping, so I would switch to formula.

What?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I was in the exact same position with my first five years ago. I EPd for 5 months and pushed myself to save up a months worth freezer stock to get to 6 months. In hindsight I wish I had switched to formula right off the bat. Pumping is so much work and for me mentally taxing. Your baby will be completely fine on formula and if it makes you even 1% happier/more relaxed then that is worth it. I encourage you to read Emily Oster’s posts on breastfeeding vs formula.

+1000

Similar story here, and similar advice.