Bottle feeding vs breastfeeding - honest talk needed

Mar 161 min read

Wife is struggling with breastfeeding and considering switching to formula or pumping so I can do feeds too. I'm all for it because I want to help more at night but I don't want her to feel like she's failing. She keeps apologizing about it. How do I make her feel supported? And honestly has anyone else found that bottle feeding lets you bond just as much? I want the real answer not the politically correct one.

12 comments170 views

Comments(12)

JJamesRegularMar 17

Formula is totally fine man. My wife pumped for a bit but it was stressing her out so we switched and honestly it was the best decision for our whole family. Baby is healthy, mom is happy, and you still get your bonding time with the bottle. Win all around.

JJasonRegularMar 17

We went the pumping route and my wife said it gave her some freedom back. Not as stressful as direct feeding for her. Whatever you decide, the main thing is your wife is doing okay. A happy mom makes everything easier.

TTony M.RegularMar 17

We did half breast, half formula and it saved our sanity. You get to take some feeds, she gets breaks. The guilt some women have about formula is so unnecessary.

LLucasRegularMar 17

Honest talk - whatever lets your wife function and feel okay is the right choice. Don't let anyone shame you guys for how you feed your kid.

JJamesRegularMar 17

Your wife shouldn't feel bad either way. Pumping is actually way more work than people realize so if formula lets her feel like herself again that's the right move. Fed is best and all that but also mom's mental health matters a lot.

RRyan P.New DadMar 16

Your wife's mental and physical health comes first. If breastfeeding is causing her that much stress, formula is 100% the right call. I see new dads all the time trying to be the perfect support while not realizing their partners are suffering. Talk to her about what she actually wants.

PPhil M.RegularMar 16

Switching to formula is totally valid and not the failure that some people try to make it out to be. Being able to share feeding duties honestly made everything better for us. You get bonding time, she gets rest, win-win.

MMike R.RegularMar 16

The feeding part isn't everything. Sounds like your wife needs a break and that's okay. You'll bond with your son in a million other ways. We did formula after 2 months and I loved our bottle time together. Do what works for your family, not what you think you should do.

TTony M.RegularMar 16

If breastfeeding is causing her stress and pain, switching is absolutely the right call. I know society makes moms feel guilty about this but honestly formula fed babies are thriving everywhere. And you getting to do feedings? That's special bonding time you wouldn't get otherwise.

BBrandonRegularMar 16

Formula is completely valid and honestly sometimes sharing the feeding duties makes both of you happier. We switched to combination pretty early because my wife needed a break and it took so much pressure off her. Do what works for your family.

BBrandonRegularMar 17

We did combination feeding from week two and honestly it saved us. My wife could actually sleep for more than two hours and I got to do feeds. Bottle feeding at 2am is way easier than you'd think.

TTobias K.RegularMar 17

Appreciate you being supportive of whatever she wants to do. That actually makes a huge difference. Breastfeeding struggles are real and having a partner willing to take feedings off the table helps more than you probably realize.