breastfeed or bottle feed.....help?

While I’d normally be all for breastfeeding and say go for it, I think your situation would be better if you simply went with formula. If the father is no longer in the picture, you will need to make sure that you are as healthy as you can be for your children because they really need you. If this is the sacrifice you have to make, then so be it. If you really do want to breastfeed, you can always do half and half. A little breastfeeding is better than nothing so maybe you could just breastfeed half the time (making sure you are getting enough nutrition and vitamins you need) and do formula the rest of the time. What it comes down to is being there for your kids and staying well for them, so if you think you can do a little breastfeeding and be fine then do it. If not, stick with formula. Good luck and stay well!

Regardless of how you feed your baby you will still need to take care of your health. If you need to take vitamins to maintain your own health, then take vitamins.

And really, while I don't know the details of your medical problems and situation, I'm quite puzzled by your LC's statement. Nursing a second baby isnt' harder -- if anything, it's easier. (Your milk comes in sooner and you are more comfortable with the process.) And breastfeeding usually takes LESS time and effort and is less stressful, both emotionally and physically, than bottle feeding. With daddy not in the picture you'll be doing all the feeds anyway, so it's certainly easier to roll over at night, pick baby up and latch her [and doze while she eats]on than to get up, stumble to the kitchen, mix and/or warm a bottle, and sit down to feed baby. It's easier to care for a toddler because nursing takes just one hand, or can be done in a sling, so you can nurse your infant while reading or playing with your toddler. [The only way to do that with a bottle is to prop it.] Also, when you are nursing you [usually] aren't having periods, so if you're anemic, that's a real plus.

I would plan to breastfeed. If, after a few months you find that it's more than you can handle, then you can gently wean, and baby will have gotten the benefits of those few months of breastmilk.

They say that breastfeeding is best but sometimes it's just not possible. I was not able to breastfeed my child for a different reason so we did formula and she's a very happy, healthy, little girl. With two small children, it's best not to risk your health. I would do what the experts advise.

If you are not healthy enough or think that you won't be able to then it's best for bottle feed him.

I would say just use formula. You don't want you or your baby's health to suffer.