Partial breastfeeding...worth It?

oh yeah definately! any breast milk is better than none!! Even just doing it half the time has benefits! Keep doing it if you can!! remember it is "Liquid Gold"!!! wouldnt you rather have some gold than none?

I read almost all responses and all were good advice, I do both breastmilk and formula. NO matter how much you give her the BONDING is beautiful. I just wish I would have stuck to it with my first.

I also love it how husbands try to tell us what to do when they aren't the ones doing it. MEN!

Just do whatever is most comfortable for you. Breastfeeding was very painful for me and after one month of breast/formula feeding I gave it up. It was the best decision I ever made b/c it was so painful. I agree that breast milk is best, but if it is something that is uncomfortable for you, don't feel bad about stopping. There is no problem with using both breast milk and formula.

It is definitly worth it. As long as you are comfortable with it then keep going. I breast fed my first until 9 mo. and my second for 13 mo. and currently still feeding my third at 4 mo. My children I believe are healthier for it. Keep going and just communicate with your husband the importance of it.

I did exactly that with my older son and it worked out great. Some is definitely better than none, not only for the nutritional benefits but for the special time it gives you with your baby. Mama knows best...I think your plan is a great one! Your body will adjust to whatever schedule you decide upon. It's really amazing how that works!

Blessings,

M.
www.GoodHealthMadeSimple.com

I partial breastfeed because I am drying up. I try to give her as much as she can get from me. Don't let your husband make you feel bad about it. It is a bonding experience that they just don't understand. I am also looking to meet new moms in my area. I am in Keller. If you would like to try to get a group together or something let me know. Hope this helps.
J.

Any of your milk you can and want to give your daughter is definitely worth it! She gets so much important stuff - not just from the milk but from the actual nursing. I definitely would!

Is your husband doing the breastfeeding?

I did half and half for 8 months and it was totally worth it I am a stay at home mom though so it was a little easier for me to breastfeed as much a possible during the day if needed/wanted. I totally think that the benefits are great! You are saving a ton of money even if you are still buying formula for those times you cant be with her. AND you are having great bonding time when you come home from work. Most people have that misconception that bf-ing is all or nothing. To be honest, I did at first. But then I found what works best for me:) Do what works for you and your sweet girl. Dont let your hubby decide. He will come around and if he doesnt, well, bf-ing only last so long so he'll be ok until shes weaned:P Good luck and keep up the good work! AND cherish it while you can...I sure miss it!

I think it's great that she's already on bottles so you won't have that battle when you go back to work. Keep up with one or two bottles a day. It's a hassle to pump and bottle feed and breast feed while you're at home, so using formula for the bottle feedings is a good idea. I pumped at work and breastfed morning and night while our first baby had bottles during the day. The bottles were mostly breast milk that I'd pumped, but some of it was supplemented with formula if there wasn't enough. I quit pumping at 6 months and just nursed morning and evening and all her bottles were formula. She gradually weaned herself by 7 months. It was well worth it because I really cherished those times, especially in the afternoon/evening after being gone all day. It forced me to just sit and relax for a few minutes.
Also, for the baby's digestive system and immune system, breast milk is obviously better (can't get much better than nourishment designed by God and nature to be specifically for her, can you?). So, if it's an option for you, I'd say keep it up. It would certainly be easier if your husband was supportive. Maybe he thinks it's another way that he's pushed aside now that the baby is here. Perhaps you could find ways for him to fell more involved in parenting. I know that my husband really enjoyed being the one to pick her up from the sitter/daycare. He felt like her knight in shining armor when he saw her little face light up when he arrived. It gave them a half hour or so together before I got home and he took his "alone" time when I got home to nurse the baby.

Have you thought about pumping at work and only giving her breastmilk? That is what I do. If you need advice on how this works send me a message.

But yes any breastmilk you give your child is a gift. Here is a link that lists all of the benefits of breastmilk maybe it will help your husband.

http://www.promom.org/101/

Hi C.,

Yes, yes, yes!!! Any amount of breastmilk is very beneficial, so whatevery you can do is great!

A.

C.,
You love your husband, but don't let him influence your breastfeeding options. This is your's and your baby's time and once you stop there is not going back. Partial BF and supplementing with formula is just fine. It's not all or nothing.... Do what you can. I BF my 2nd son for a year, but I had to supplement with formula b/c I was traveling, and pumping in the office. BF'ing in the morning b/4 work and at night and late night provided the closeness that we both needed and desired. With my first son, my husband (who is NOT a doctor) said that 6 months was enough, and really pressured me to end it. I now know that he was jealous of the whole process-he even admitted that to me. So he was supportive of how I wanted to handle it the second time around. Do what is right for you and your baby. She will benefit from partial BF and so will you.

Hang in there...there are a lot of challenges adjusting to motherhood, including learning how to be a wife while learning to be a mom. It's all worth it!

Hi C.. I think you're answering your own question... :) Breastfeeding is ALWAYS worth it! I don't know many moms who find breastfeeding totally easy even if they do stay home. It seems to be difficult for a lot of people. But, my opinion is breast milk is always best if you can do it for your baby. Pumping at work was a giant headache for me, but I did it for a short while (I actually finally quit my job because it was all too much for me personally) But, I'm glad I continued to keep my son on only breast milk. He was BF until he turned one which is when he naturally weaned himself. Obviously, you can only do what works best for you and your daughter, so if morning and night feedings are the only time you can BF her, then I say do it! :) Good luck.
- M.

Keep breastfeeding as long as you can. I did both on my second and could not imagine if I didn't. I nursed both my kids till they were 10 months. By BF you are giving her the best thing for her body. I do also believe that it is OK to do both.

Good Luck!

I did this with my 1st child when I went back to work. I breastfed her in the mornings and after I was home from work and before bed. She took a bottle when she was at the childcare provider's home. I would continue breastfeeding whenever you can.

M.

You should keep Breastfeeding her, the breastmilk is so good for them and trust me I know how hard it is to work and breasfeed. I breastfed my daughter for a whole year and worked at the same time, it was hard to pump at work but I was lucky that I was able to do it at my desk and my boss supported my pumping. I pumped twice at work during my breaks. Even if you are giving her formula the times that you breasfeed her are going to benefit her and will create a bond like you wouldn't believe.

C.,
I agree with all the other moms on this. I went back to work FT when my son was 3 months. He is now 7 1/2 months and I still breastfeed before and after work and before he goes to bed. I plan to keep this up until he is a year old. I pump 3 times/day at work and he gets both breastmilk and formula while in daycare. It takes effort and time to do all of this, but it is totally worth it- they are only this age for a short time. And yes, ANY breastmilk you can give you daughter is beneficial, and as other moms said- you can't beat the bonding experience. Not to mention breastmilk is free and there are no bottles to wash afterwards!

I partially breastfed my son until he was around 11 mths old, once my milk supply dwindled down, he weaned himself naturally, and was almost ready for whole milk. -JM

Hi C.!

My husband and I had the same outlook on this issue recently. We have 9 week old twin boys and just went last Friday for their 2 month check up and we asked the pedi. He said that if they are getting at least 4 oz a day that it is great for them. My husband quickly changed his views after we got this information and now he isn't giving me a hard time about how much the boys are getting. So if you have a hard time convincing your husband ask him to call your pedi, OB, or a lactation consultant for input!

Good Luck and Congratulations!

As much or as little as you can do is better than nothing. I agree with you. My allergist said that upto 10 months he would like me to breatfeed and this was with my DD who had loads of food allergies triggered through my milk because it helps with the baby's immunity.

Absolutely, you are right. Any breastmilk she gets from you is beneficial. If you enjoy nursing, there is no reason to wean her. My son is almost 14 months, and I am still nursing him. When he turned 12 months, I started weaning him from the daytime feedings, so I could discontinue pumping at work. He now gets cow's milk when he is away from me, and I don't need to pump. So far, it is working very well. He is usually ready to nurse as soon as I pick him up from daycare because he still prefers my milk, but that's okay with me. He is not ready to wean completely and neither am I. Good luck.

When I had my daughter I was breastfeeding every 2 hours for 1 hour and a half. Now, When I went back to work, I had pumped some and froze it. I did this until I occurred much stress and my milk production ceased. Of course mother's milk is the absolute best and comparing my daughter's health to my friends who only formula fed, hands down my kid has always been healthier. I bought the most expensive, closest to "mother's milk" as I could. The stuff smells, so does the poop. But, going back and forth won't hurt. Mother's do it all the time. Watch your baby and how they react to each formula do so until you find the best formula within your budget and the best for your child.
But remember this, getting your child on a schedule as to when they will be recieving the formula and the breast milk is essential to how responsive they are. Ie: in the morning: breast feed. Lunch: bottle, after work breast, before bed: breast. Make sure they feel you in the morning and evening before bed. Then, gradually shift where your husband can feed at night before bed with your breast milk pumped. Weaning the child off breast onto more bottle. Before you know it, around 4-6 months they will begin eating rice/oatmeal. I put goat's milk in with the formula, it's the closest thing to mother's milk and less problems with digestion ( which many babies have a problem with in formula). HOpe this helped.

It is NOT all or Nothing! Whatever amount of breastmilk you can give her is that many more antibodies, immunities, and nutrients ONLY found in BM.

Whatever you do KEEP breastfeeding. Your body will adjust to the amount she needs.

Good Luck.

My son is now 7 months and has been half n half and is doing well, the only thing is to keep your supply you have to pump if you dont breast feed, or your supply will quickly diminish. I have had success with going the route of pumping often and if he has a bottle instead, and bfing the rest of the time. Good Luck it's your choice, and show your hubby the financial savings with giving as much breast milk as possible.

ANY is better than none! Husbands do not always understand the bond and wonderful health benefits that are gained by breastfeeding. I fed both of my children for 18 months. After 6 months it was just a supplement to real food. My kids have been healthier than other children around them and our bond is amazing!!! If it you want to then do it!

Absolutely! If you can, breastfeed whenever possible for as long as possible. I think it's wonderful that you want to give your daughter the best you have to offer!! Ask your husband to be more supportive!! It's tough enough breastfeeding, not to mention working and breastfeeding! Keep it up!

You are so right--there's no reason your daughter can't benefit from some breast milk, and your breasts will just meet the demand! Cool how that works. I've known several people who have done this (morning and night feeding). Good luck!

Breast milk is the best thing on earth for your baby. Babies were meant to be breastfed. This will help their immune system so much! Even if you are supplementing with formula it is still awesome that you are breastfeeding. It is so good for her, and you are still helping her so much! Good luck!

Any breastmilk you give her is beneficial, not only to her, but you as well. Breastfeeding may help prevent breast cancer in the future and can also help you get your pre-pregnancy weight back sooner. Not including the benefits of bonding and the nutrition she will get.

Breastfeeding her in the mornings and nightime and weekends is great for working moms who can't during the day, I know several who do and enjoy the chance they have to do it.

I think that it is TOTALLY worth it! I did partial breastmilk and partial formula for my twins for almost 8 months. Not only was it beneficial for them, but it made me feel good that I was able to continue to provide that extra nutrition for them. Do what feels right to you and good luck!