Dear Parents,
It's a girl! My family and I are excited to announce the birth of our third child, Kalista.
We are settling in to our new-baby routine, but this time around there is one notable difference. Although my wife, Kristine, is still breast feeding, she is using pumps and bottles. This gives me the chance to step in and feed Kalista part of each night. Yes, this means I'm a whole lot more tired, but it is well worth it to have this special time with our newest addition in a way that I couldn't with my first two children!
To nurse or not to nurse, to bottle feed or use formula --- many people have passionate feelings on the subject. Check out this recent Time article "Mothers Who Opt for Breast Milk, Not Breast-Feeding" by Catherine Sharick on the very same topic.
I'm wondering how you, the parents of Bubbles Academy, feel about all of this. Let me know by leaving your comments below!
Gratefully and Exhaustedly Yours,
Gregoire Klees-Johnson
Bubbles Academy Co-Founder and Owner
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Congratulations on both the birth and the decision to breast-feed using pumps and bottles. I did the same after my son would not latch on. I pumped and used a bottle for 2.5 years. Though it proved a bit challenging when we traveled, I found myself thrilled overcoming those challenges. There was even a time when one of our flights was delayed, and I ended up pumping by sitting in a janitor's closet. (Only American airlines concourses have family bathrooms with outlets. The regular bathrooms have outlets by the sinks, which are a long way from the privacy of a stall.) My son is 4 now, and has enjoyed pre-school since he was 2. I believe the research about breastmilk creating stronger immune systems is true, because in his lifetime, he has had 3 minor colds and 2 ear infections and that's it, even after being around all the kids. The two times I tried formula because I wasn't sure I was pumping enough, my son thankfully rejected the bottle. So best of luck to you; you're doing a great thing for your child!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! Breast milk is for shure the best for your baby, personaly, I enjoy so much breast feading and my son love so much this moment on my breast that I try to pump my milk the less I can, I don't realy like that and I don't have to reheat the milk, this is easier...but I'm lucky because I don't have to work for the moment. If I had to I'll do exactly the same, pump and use bottles.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to your little girl and congrats again!
Congrats on the new "nugget"!!!
ReplyDeleteI did breast-feed, did some pump-and-feed, and gave some formula (about 25% of his total intake was formula). My son breast-fed until he was about six months old, and then it was formula and some "food".
Even still, he has a low-functioning immune system, as I did when I was a child. I had hoped that breastfeeding would prevent him from being sick a lot,... but I guess breast-milk isn't magic!
I liked having the flexibility of going between breastfeeding, pumped milk, and formula, as I was working and it was impossible to always "feed on demand".
Zillions of us were raised on formula alone, and we turned out just fine. And while experts agree that breastmilk is "better" for lots of reasons, not every expert has ever actually HAD a real live baby, work, and other commitments to attend to!
Congratulations on #3...I also have 3 children and feel so fortunate and blessed. They are big now (6.5, 8 and 10), but there was a time when it seemed like I was breastfeeding for about 6 years straight (I nursed all of my kids till aroung age one). I did not work away from home during that time, so I was lucky to be able to do this (breastfeed exclusively until 6 months; then gradually added food, but still kept to the breast till about 1). It was definitely hard, but aside from the health benefits, the bonding between mother and child are simply indescribable. Our breasts are created for this incredible purpose. My children are healthy, though certainly not immune! They had/have plenty of colds and ear infections, etc. My middle child was colicky, too, so she was ALWAYS on the breast (not for food, but for comfort). Additionally, they didn't sleep through the night until they were around 1 (despite trying sleep training and all of that) -- this I think was because breast milk digests so much more quickly than formula. Obviously, breast-feeding is NOT the easy choice!
ReplyDeleteAll of that said, I think it's great to get as much breast milk into your child as possible --whether it be from bottles or the breast. It doesn't work out for everyone to feed from the breast, and no one should feel badly about that. I always remind myself when beginning to slide down that slippery slope of judgment that we are ALL trying to be the best parents that we can possibly be, so our choices have to reflect what we feel in our hearts (and not what anybody else tells us to do). If you do that (follow your heart and instincts), then you will be confident and happy in your parenting choices. Best wishes to all the new parents out there!
this is a hot-button topic, for sure :)
ReplyDeleteI breastfed both of my children. my first, until she was 22 months old (and the last 7 months were while I was pregnant to boot!) and I am still breastfeeding my son, who is 16 months old. It's been a great experience for me, and them. I think a huge part of my success was having a very supportive husband - at times I think he is more pro-breastfeeding than I am!
I don't think breastmilk is a magic elixr and I hate when people "pooh-pooh" it because it didn't prevent their child from getting sick - there are obviously many factors that impact a child's immune system. I am not personally "anti-formula" but I also feel like if there is no reason why you can't breastfeed, why not give it a try? it is, after all, how we were biologically intended to nourish our babies.
Congratulations to your growing family!!!
ReplyDeleteI think having the flexibility of bottle feeding breast milk is fabulous. I have 2 kids and I was lucky enough to be able to breast feed without too much trouble. My husband helped me out with some late night feeds with the bottle and we were able to get out on our own for a dinner here and there and leave the kids with sitters. My milk only lasted for 4 months so we switched to formula after that. My feeling is, if you can breast feed great, if not, your kids will be just fine its not the be all end all of infancy.
Congratulations! Great topic.
ReplyDeleteI began to exclusively pump into bottles when my son was only three days old as I had contracted a painful thrush infection (It was less painful to pump, and I felt very strongly about only feeding my son breast milk given the health benefits). It was an extremely difficult routine to keep up (pumped in airport bathrooms, back seat of the car many times, etc.) as I pumped after every feeding (even twice a night) to keep up my supply. I never gave him formula to supplement, and as a result, my freezer was FULL of extra b. milk. However, I contracted mastitis 9 times in 5 months given that the pump did not empty my breasts as well as the baby could. I know this was the case because at 5 months, with my thrush infection finally gone, I was able to nurse my son directly from the breast and it was an amazing, easy and unbelievably convenient solution to feeding vs what I had been doing. I never picked up the pump again and breast fed for an add'l 9 months with no mastitis. I encourage everyone to do both (pump and nurse), especially to give Dad a chance to feed, but don't give up the direct from breast feed all the time totally unless you have to...
It is a truly a wonderful, rewarding, and bonding experience to breast feed your baby BUT if for various reasons one is unable to actually breast feed the baby, I think making the effort to still get the baby breastmilk is extremely commendable. I know it can be a lot of extra work.
ReplyDeleteI know Moms who, when they could not physically breast feed, just gave up the milking all together and I will never understand that. It is like drying up the golden well of nutrients and immunity for your baby. It is a lot of work but when both parents are willing to go the extra mile, your baby truly benefits! Great job guys!!!!
I just stopped breastfeeding my son, after 2 years, I miss it, but was ready to let go, or ready for him to "let go" of my boob! LOL! breastfeeding can be rewarding but it is also time consuming and very overwhelming in the beginning. pumping and using bottles are a great idea to give mom a break so dad can bottle feed. Unfortunately when I tried this early on, it made my milk supply go down so i had to stop pumping and go back to nursing. My son also much preferred mommy to the bottle, and he let daddy know it! Good luck and congrats on your beautiful new addition.
ReplyDeleteI just also want to add that I think breastfeeding and skin to skin contact in the very early weeks after birth provides a wonderful bonding time for mom and baby.
Congrats! Whatever plan you choose it always works out; if you have your head on straight.
ReplyDeleteComing from a nursing mother, I do recomend at least nursing a couple of times a day along with the pumping and bottles. Maybe an early morning and/or evening. There are infinite reasons why nursing will benefit a MOTHER and a BABY. If mom can nurse a little now it will pay off big for both of them for their entire life.
I breastfed my first girl until about a year and am currently breastfeeding my second while supplementing with formula. I applaud you for finding a compromise between breastfeeding and formula. While I am a firm believer in breastfeeding, I truly feel that it is a personal choice and no one should sit in judgment. With that said, I am amazed by the women in the Time article. I pumped and stored milk while breastfeeding because I knew I'd have to go back to work. Once back at work, I wasn't able to pump nearly enough to make it worth my while so for both girls I used up what milk I had stored and then switched to formula at daycare and continued to breastfeed when my babies were home with me. It worked out well for me. Good luck with your journey!
ReplyDelete