Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

This is coming from someone who has EBF their daughter for 11 months now...

You should never be ashamed of what you do, you do what is best for your family and for you.

Although I didn't do it, I think formula is an amazing thing, It helps mothers who physically, mentally or just decide to not breastfeed.

And honestly... in a world that is filled with formula fed babies... I felt like I was ashamed sometimes and and outcast to Breastfeed... I felt people looked at me with 10 heads when I told them I BF... But I got over it b/c I know it was my choice and the best for my family (especially that I could never deal with making bottles its the lazy side of me... I commend that hahaha lol)

So... never be ashamed of your decisions!

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Ita with you.

I'm still boggled as to WHY we as mothers and women need to explain ourselves to each other. Instead we should support each other and OUR own decisions. It's actually kind of sad.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

:jump

As I stated in a previous post, I decided not to breastfeed due to medication I was on after my son's death. I was on meds for anxiety and depression. Honestly, it is probably the best decision I could have made; my daughter is happy and healthy and most of all well taken care of. And I get to enjoy her!!!

I really CANNOT STAND the judgements!!! And I have gotten a few of them lately. We are all different people, who, in turn, make different decisions based on what is right for our families.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

I had NO desire to breastfeed. ZIP.ZERO.ZILCH!

Do I feel guilty. NOPE!

Does it bother me when I hear or read something offensive about FF? Not at all.

I do what is best for me and my family and others do what is best for them and their family

I have 2 GORGEOUS, healthy children.

Message edited 10/15/2010 1:42:25 PM.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

I BFed for 3 months until I had to go back to work. So many people would say..you can still do it pump here pump there at work BF in the morning. I am sorry, as much as I would LOVE to still BF my son, I just couldn't do it, the stress of work and trying to find the time to pump just wouldn't work for me. I give a lot of credit to those who can do that. I think every woman has the right to make their own decision as to whether they want to BF or not. Its your body you do what you are comfortable with. Happy Mommy=happy Baby!

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

I'm so happy o went with FF. I tried the first 3-4 weeks to Bf but was having issues. My csection made me feel uncomfortable along with my weight and I just could not get DS to latch on both nipples. I tried to pump but I felt like a cow being milked. I went into it thinking I'll try my best to BF but if it doesn't work for me then it doesn't work. I did feel some guilt especiall afte 0DS had formula issues but I feel no guilt now and it was for the best all around.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Good for you!


Don't let other people's views weigh on you.


I've learned you have to have thick skin as a mom. You just need to know that what you are doing is best for you & your family. and ignore everyone else.


hey, atleast I dont have to worry about you sitting next to me at a restaurant and busting out a boob

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

BF'ing didnt work for me for a few reasons:
1. DS wouldnt latch
I couldnt get much help out of the hospital about getting him to latch or even showing me. I tried for almost a week..at this point he was already hooked on the bottles.

2. They started DS on formula right away b/c they said his sugar was low when checked in the nursery. I had said a few times I wanted to TRY BF'ing. Why not bring him to his mother??

3. My breast pump got lost in the mail...yes..my friend was sending us their Medala set and her DH sent their Old Navy Return package to me and my pump to OLD Navy. KID YOU NOT. It was over a week I was home by the time I got the pump. I had a small single one DH bought for me, but that wasnt much help.

I wasnt very comfortable with it anyway, and in the end FF'ing worked out to be the best for us. I went through all the emotions but in the end, I was much happier.

We need to do what is best for us and our lifestyles and families. I commend all the BF'ing mothers b/c its a huge commitment, its not easy, and not for everyone.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

I'm sick and tired of being asked what sort of medical issue I had because I don't BF. And then get that "look" because I'm doing a "disservice" to my baby by NOT BFing.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Thank you for this.

"Society" made me feel like I had to breastfeed and love it...that stigma forced me to fake my love for it and my determination to succeed at it and it caused me to have a major breakdown. I was looking for anyone to make the decision to quit for me and was really banking on my son's ped to tell me I had to stop that when he didn't, I shut down.

I finally allowed myself to stop BF and FF my kid and I couldn't be happier for that decision. I get to see how happy my DH, mom, MIL, sisters, SILs are when THEY get to feed him and give me a break.

The bottom line is, my kid is happy and healthy and at the end of the day, whether BF or FF, that is all that matters.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

i felt all guilty w/ DD - she was my first- I tried for 3 weeks- I HATED It.. I was MISERABLE.. I gave up, and was so much happier..

There is so much pressure to do this and that.. and I think with your first baby, you don't know any better and you let all these people, agencies, etc. get to you..

With the second I didn't even bother.. my DS went right to formula... I do whatever I want.. I am the parent.. no one has a say in how i parent my children.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

I couldn't BF because of meds, but I really don't think I would want to anyway.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

My own mother made me feel horribly guilty for stopping to BF my DS and then choose not to with DD.

I am still upset that she put me through that- but she meant no harm.

I am tired of feeling like I should have tried harder to BF my DD. Thanks for posting this!

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Never breast fed. Never had the desire too (actually only had the desire NOT to). I feel like my body went through more than enough for the twins and I wanted it back. I was FF, Dh was FF....we turned out just fine and my kids are perfect in every way!
I delivered at Winthrop, they asked if I was breastfeeding, I said Nope and that was the end of it, no one ever mentioned it again to me.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

My brother (of all people) made me feel bad for not doing it. He literally went ON AND ON AND ON about how it is so much better for the baby and I need to do it and blah blah...

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Posted by jgl



My brother (of all people) made me feel bad for not doing it. He literally went ON AND ON AND ON about how it is so much better for the baby and I need to do it and blah blah...

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Posted by neener1211

Posted by jgl



My brother (of all people) made me feel bad for not doing it. He literally went ON AND ON AND ON about how it is so much better for the baby and I need to do it and blah blah...

And when exactly was the last time he let a baby suck on his boobie?

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Message edited 10/15/2010 2:26:00 PM.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Awesome. I wanted to BF for about 5 minutes while I was pregnant. It was a very short-lived desire because I was uncomfortable with the thought of my baby at my boob. It just wasn't for me. I do not feel guilty about it but I understand about what you're saying about explaining it away differently to other people. I have felt the need to do that a time or two as well. I think it's so wrong that I or anyone else should feel that way.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Thank you for saying this...

I was like you and wanted to really do it...when DD first latched on or the fight we had to have her latch on I was completely overwhelmed. I hated the expierence. I hated the way I felt to the point my stomach would get sick when I had to BF. I think I did it for as long as I did because of the pressures I felt from other people. I finally cracked one night and in tears told my husband I could no longer do it. He was completely supportive and that was that. I had awful guilt that I was letting Reilly down but looking back now I wish I had done what I wanted sooner to save myself the grief.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

Posted by Sweets13

I had NO desire to breastfeed. ZIP.ZERO.ZILCH!

Do I feel guilty. NOPE!

Does it bother me when I hear or read something offensive about FF? Not at all.

I do what is best for me and my family and others do what is best for them and their family

I have 2 GORGEOUS, healthy children.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

i'm with you.

i had no desire to BF, never even tried it, it's absolutely not for me.

Re: I want to get something off my chest about formula feeding

I wanted to do it before having the baby. I quit after six days. I hated every second of it, it stressed me out so much. I stared at the clock during every session, counting down the minutes until I could stop.

I am also grateful to my pediatrician who listened to how upset I was about the whole thing and then assured me that my baby would be happy and healthy as a formula fed baby. I quit right after that doctor visit and never regretted it for a minute.

Interestingly enough, we discovered later that my DS has low muscle tone in his mouth/face and we have had lots of eating problems. I don't know if he ever would have latched properly and am glad I didn't spend months crying over breastfeeding.