We’ve heard from a mother who chose to breastfeed, one who mixed bottle and boob and now Kerry, 27, mum to Tye and Tré, tells us why she chose to exclusively bottle-feed her baby…
(This was originally published in December 2015)
Kerry on bottle-feeding
“I always planned to bottle-feed Tré – right from the get go. I never really felt comfortable with the idea of breastfeeding (even though it’s the most natural thing in the world and sole purpose of the breast!). To me, my boobs are more of a sexual tool. I also have implants, so the whole thing creeped me out.
Everyone around me supported my decision to bottle-feed… as long as the baby is getting all the goodness it needs and putting on weight nicely it shouldn’t matter.
I guess I felt a little urge to try it when I was in hospital after having Tré. My midwives raved about the boob – and my boobs were dripping with the good stuff. I almost had a moment when I was going to try but it just didn’t feel right, plus my nipples were quite sore already!
Once we got home, Joe (Tré’s daddy) really enjoyed being able to feed him as well as well as me. That was important to him – and me – that they could have their bonding time.
As a mother and a woman, it’s your right to do what’s best for you and your baby
I also have a seven-year-old son, so I knew how to make a bottle up from when he was a baby. I think my mum explained everything to me.
I never thought I’d made the wrong decision by giving my baby a bottle – not at all. I had Joe to take turns with the feeding and bottle-making, plus I enjoy making bottles; even now I still find it really satisfying giving him a fresh clean sterile bottle of warm milk to tuck into.
I like knowing how much he has drunk, and that people can help you – daddy, sisters, brothers, nans and granddads can all bond with the baby too. Having Joe help with the night feeds really made my life easier in the early days. He loves feeding Tré and is happy to make up the bottles.
So basically, I’m all for bottle. But I support mums who are all for the boob too… As a mother and a woman, it’s your right to do what’s best for you and your baby.”
Did you choose bottle-feeding over breast or mixing the two? Was this the right decision for you? Let us know in the comment section below…