I've been thinking about this for some time and I need some opinions. With both of my kids, I BF exclusively for a short time, then switched to formula when I went back to work. Now I work from home, so I figured that I could do it longer this time. But, here's my dilemma...
This may sound awful, but I do not like BF'ing AT ALL. I do not get that bonding feeling that many women get while doing it, it actually drives me insane, and that's why I have only ever done it for a short time before switching to formula.
But the more I think about it, I'm getting worried that I'm not going to be able to handle feeding the baby on my own all of the time. I've always had sufficient milk supply, but never enough to pump extra for storage. So I was always the one doing the feedings. I'm mainly worried because I will be doing the feedings at night if I'm nursing exclusively, then I will be taking care of the baby during the day by myself, along with my toddler and my eight year old, PLUS I will be working full time. I just feel like I might have a breakdown once the baby comes. I don't plan on taking much time off because I have too much going on with my job right now. On top of that, I will have to start going to work about three times per week in beginning in March instead of spending all five days at home, so nursing will become even more difficult anyway (and as of right now, I have no one to watch my kids because I refuse to put an infant in daycare, but that's another thread).
So, my thoughts are to supplement with formula every other feeding. So the baby would be getting half BM, and half formula. This way, I would get a break every other feeding. DH will be home in the evenings and on weekends, and we can split the night feedings. Plus I'm sure DD would love to feed him every now and then. So first, what are everyone's thoughts on that? And second, if I decide to do that, should it be started that way from day 1 at the hospital? Or should I wait until I am home and make the switch?
I hope no one thinks I'm being selfish, but it's truly difficult for me to even consider nursing at all. I know the baby needs it, so that is why I do it, even if it is for a short time.
Thanks for reading, sorry for the novel

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