In this post, I am going to help you STOP feeling guilty or ashamed for choosing formula for your baby. Listen, I have been there. The moment you’re shocked that first off breastfeeding is HARD and oftentimes you do not anticipate having a baby that won’t latch, raw nipples, feeding sessions cut short because you and your baby are both crying, etc.
I have had two babies within the last two years. First pregnancy I thought. “oh of course I’m gonna breastfeed and did not think anything else of it. Clearly, I was in for a surprise! Well after multiple attempts, few complications I resorted to pumping for 6 months and then switching over to formula. Working full-time outside the home and having a rigid pumping schedule, low milk supply also the hours and HOURS stuck to your breast pump. The moment I switched over to formula. I suddenly felt free.
With my second baby, again we attempted to breastfeed, met with lactation consultants, watched all the YouTube videos, and read so much material to get this one right. Needless to say, that did not go as planned. I was faced with a harder decision. This time my baby was less than a month old and I had to decide to pump full-time again or switch to formula. Having a newborn and a 15-month-old. I did not exactly have all the time in the world to dedicate to pumping. I did attempt it. I was pumping every 2 hours for at least 40 mins to try and keep my supply up. With every session, it felt like the longer I went, the more my milk supply dropped. I realized it was no longer working for us and I was stressed. That’s when I felt the shame about implementing formula the strongest.
I suddenly felt like a failure. Like I was giving up on this tiny infant and taking an easy way out. I know “fed is best” because that’s what I told myself over and over again. But, that didn’t make me feel better about my decision.
I still felt the shame of using formula instead of trying to provide the “best” nutrition route for my baby, which is breast milk . Then I realized what I had to do. I changed my mindset.
I made my final decision to use formula and stop pumping. I needed to change my thoughts. I could remain in the guild phase and keep feeling bad. Or I can realize that it is okay to give your baby formula. You need to tell yourself you are the BEST mom for that perfect little human you created. If you choose a formula, guess what. Thar’s okay!
You are not a failure. You are not measured by the choice of formula or breast milk you choose. You’re measured as a mom by the way you love and take care of your baby. If you are reading this post and have guilt about using formula. THAT right there says how much you care about your baby because you just simply want what’s best for them.
I know the newborn stage is hard. Do not let the guilt of you deciding formula make it any harder mama. We are all busy, tired, and trying out hardest to be the best moms we can be to these tiny little humans. Also, do you think your child will grow up and be like “mom didn’t love me that much, she gave me formula”? NO! After the bottle stage, honestly, who even thinks about the formula -vs- breast milk.
Never forget. You are the BEST mama for your baby and you got this!
