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/MMTardis]

I breastfed my first child exclusively, including extended breastfeeding.

I enjoyed some aspects, but i found it to have several downsides i didnt want to repeat.

I found safe sleep to be impossible while nursing, and my child wouldnt take a bottle, EVER. my friends (all exclusive breastfeeders) had the same issues i did.

With my second child i combo fed from my breast, and with formula, from birth until my milk dried up at 3 months. It was much more relaxed and easy, for me.

Now im pregnant with my third child, and its my now husbands first baby. We want to be equal parents, and bottle feeding formula allows for that egalitarianism. I dont think i want to nurse at all, i want to focus on healing from my csection and bonding with my baby.