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/Intrepid-Benefit-779]

I was always open to both BF and formula before having my first, and once I gave birth I was so unable to “research” and learn how to breastfeed, it all felt SO out of reach for my brain haha, so I would BF when I felt like it, and supplement with formula. This will totally affect your supply and for me I would BF her and then follow up with a bottle of formula just so I knew she was full. I felt like this was a good system for me because I got that Breast feeding benefit (is there even any?!) and I would also know she was eating enough because I’m sure my supply wasn’t great. When I pumped, which was 2-4 times a day I only got about 2 oz each time. So I would save that and mix it with formula for a night feeding that my husband would do. Honestly - I had no rhyme or reason for doing anything…I kinda just was winging it and doing what felt right day by day.