Forumla Feeding Moms...
YOU ARE AN AWESOME MOM! (And I guess I should say I AM NOT BASHING on bfing moms and this is simply MY OPINION and support for those of us who ff.) I wanted very badly to bf my daughter and tried for over 2 months before deciding that it was not the best option for us. (She was not gaining weight no matter how much time she spent on the boob and in hind sight, I probably have scar tissue from improperly healed piercings.) Yes, we all know "Breast is best.", but it is just one option we have to feed our babies and whether you choose to formula feed or have no choice, you are still doing what is best for you and your baby and that makes you a good mom. After I stopped bfing, I came up with many positive points to formula feeding that I would like to share with any mom who are struggling with the choice/option to formula feed.
-No more hours of baby glued to my boob which would eventually lead to a moment of resentment that I could not sit down to a hot meal.
-Not feeling like a mama pig nursing her piglets while bfing at night (laying down).
-No more having to secretly whip my boob out in public and worry about whether or not I was covered or if baby was too hot.
-Not having to be the only one getting up to feed the baby.
-Being able to leave the house for more than an hour without the baby because we all know a little me time is necessary, even if it is a drive to the store alone.
-Security in knowing how much she was eating.
-Dad having more bonding time with her since he works an off shift that doesn't allow him to see her very much.
-I will be able to fly home (5000 miles) to visit family and not have to bf on a hot, stuff plane.
-When I had surgery, I didn't stress over how to feed her since I was not allowed to bf for at least 24 hours.
-Her big brother can help feed her.
-More quality time with my son without his sister always being right in his face.
-No more guessing about whether or not bfing is messing with my period.
-Being able to have that glass of wine with dinner and not have to think about pumping & dumping.
-Being able to take medicine should I need it, which is great for someone who suffers from migraines.
-Almost always having the option of handing the baby to someone else, if I just need a moment, and knowing she can still be fed.
Yes I know there are perks to both ways of feeding and sometimes I do miss bfing, but her health is what is important. I have plenty of friends who are breastfeeders and were very opinionated when it came to the topic of formula. Some went as far as to say I wasn't trying hard enough. I assure you that we spent HOURS at a time between feeding & comfort nursing during the first few weeks. I was so exhausted I would fall asleep with her on the boob and wake up an hour later with her still there, suckling every now and then. After her doctor recommended supplementing, I was nursing her, then giving her formula (from a bottle that supports breastfeeding) during the day and strictly breastfeeding at night. By her 2 month appt, she wasn't gaining weight anymore and I was told I needed to offer her formula after every feeding. Seeing as how she was going hours between feedings at night, she was clearly getting something that was enough to satisfy her, it just wasn't enough or wasn't fattening enough. Thus, it came time to make the choice and after having nearly 2 months to adjust, I wouldn't go through it again. I tore myself apart when I was bfing because I felt awful that she wasn't gaining weight and therefore wasn't as healthy a child as she could be. She is healthy and happy now, sleeps 9 hours stretches at night since sometime before 3 months, and is growing. She has already started rolling, is a supported sitter, and babbles all the time...therefore she is not physically/mentally behind her bf peers and she has not been sick thus far, despite the fact that her brother attends kindergarten. So yes, breast may be best, but it doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone and no mother should feel as though they aren't doing right by their child.
"You don't have to like me, I like me just fine." <---Wise words from a wise man; my grandpa.
-No more hours of baby glued to my boob which would eventually lead to a moment of resentment that I could not sit down to a hot meal.
-Not feeling like a mama pig nursing her piglets while bfing at night (laying down).
-No more having to secretly whip my boob out in public and worry about whether or not I was covered or if baby was too hot.
-Not having to be the only one getting up to feed the baby.
-Being able to leave the house for more than an hour without the baby because we all know a little me time is necessary, even if it is a drive to the store alone.
-Security in knowing how much she was eating.
-Dad having more bonding time with her since he works an off shift that doesn't allow him to see her very much.
-I will be able to fly home (5000 miles) to visit family and not have to bf on a hot, stuff plane.
-When I had surgery, I didn't stress over how to feed her since I was not allowed to bf for at least 24 hours.
-Her big brother can help feed her.
-More quality time with my son without his sister always being right in his face.
-No more guessing about whether or not bfing is messing with my period.
-Being able to have that glass of wine with dinner and not have to think about pumping & dumping.
-Being able to take medicine should I need it, which is great for someone who suffers from migraines.
-Almost always having the option of handing the baby to someone else, if I just need a moment, and knowing she can still be fed.
Yes I know there are perks to both ways of feeding and sometimes I do miss bfing, but her health is what is important. I have plenty of friends who are breastfeeders and were very opinionated when it came to the topic of formula. Some went as far as to say I wasn't trying hard enough. I assure you that we spent HOURS at a time between feeding & comfort nursing during the first few weeks. I was so exhausted I would fall asleep with her on the boob and wake up an hour later with her still there, suckling every now and then. After her doctor recommended supplementing, I was nursing her, then giving her formula (from a bottle that supports breastfeeding) during the day and strictly breastfeeding at night. By her 2 month appt, she wasn't gaining weight anymore and I was told I needed to offer her formula after every feeding. Seeing as how she was going hours between feedings at night, she was clearly getting something that was enough to satisfy her, it just wasn't enough or wasn't fattening enough. Thus, it came time to make the choice and after having nearly 2 months to adjust, I wouldn't go through it again. I tore myself apart when I was bfing because I felt awful that she wasn't gaining weight and therefore wasn't as healthy a child as she could be. She is healthy and happy now, sleeps 9 hours stretches at night since sometime before 3 months, and is growing. She has already started rolling, is a supported sitter, and babbles all the time...therefore she is not physically/mentally behind her bf peers and she has not been sick thus far, despite the fact that her brother attends kindergarten. So yes, breast may be best, but it doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone and no mother should feel as though they aren't doing right by their child.
"You don't have to like me, I like me just fine." <---Wise words from a wise man; my grandpa.
Comments
You are correct, breastfeeding isn't always the right choice for every mommy (though it is always the right choice for baby
And I agree with u...since I FF my first two and now ebf my third...I miss some of that freedom ESP being a migraine sufferer lol. Tho my doctors and pharmacist told me my migraine medicine they prescribed was ok to take because so little goes into my breast milk I still haven't taken it because I am still scared. I suffer till I puke my brains out and the migraine goes away lol.
We both work ft and its nice that hubby gets to get up at night and help w feedings.
I don't have to pump while at work
I don't have to worry about my boobies leaking
I get to leave the house and have some me time. (get my hair donr, mani/pedi, shopping)
I can eat and drink whatever the heck I want.
Most importantly my son is healthy and is very advanced for his age. Not to mention he's such a happy baby.
WEARING A REGULAR BRA ALL THE TIME! I spent those few months in a nursing bra 24/7 unless I was showering. I missed my bras that didn't have the ability to expose my nipple.
@captivated I never said it wasn't a worth while sacrifice, but in my case, I wasn't willing to sacrifice her heal purely to satisfy my desire to breastfeed.
@myheartzx3 Which med do you take for your migraines? They gave me fiorecet while I was preggo after 3 days of a marathon migraine.
@babyluv That is scary! What did they ever figure out? Glad you are ok now!