How Did You Decide to EFF?

[u/Time-Milk-5377]

FTM, 35 weeks so preparing for all things baby.

I’m wondering how people decided to EFF? Or combo feed? I am not terribly inclined to BF, pregnancy has been really hard on me mentally and I want to have my bodily autonomy back as much as possible. Also the thought of BF gives me the creeps in a way I can’t describe. However, I’m not 100% sure and am open minded so I’m wondering if I should just try in the first days and see how it goes.

I guess I’m looking for perspective on how folks decided to formula feed if you were on the fence going into labor. My hospital really pushes breastfeeding so I feel like I need some idea of what I want to do before going in.

Is it possible to just breastfeed for like a month to establish immunity benefits, then fully switch? Or is it advisable to just go formula straight from the start?

Thanks for any input- this has been giving me a lot of anxiety.

[u/heaven-is-overrated]

I started combo feeding because I didn’t like the idea of my baby being hungry until supply kicked in (which is good because it took weeks to generate any meaningful quantity). Ended up pumping due to latch issues just to see if I could get her some breastmilk for immunity benefits etc, she ate mostly formula for the initial weeks but then I ended up with an oversupply. I still use formula when it’s more convenient (those little premixed grab and go bottles are amazing when you’re out and about because they don’t need refrigerating and just go in the trash when you’re done). I read a lot on this because I HATE pumping and it seems like most benefits happen within the first 6 months with 3 months being the most important chunk of time. As of now I’m taking it a week at a time and will probably quit when I go back to work but hoping to push through cold and flu season with breastmilk available for at least some of her feeds in case there’s any immune benefits.