pomegranate / 3845 posts
@MrsGeePerez: please don't feel guilty! Your baby only needs around 4oz of breastmilk per day to reap all the benefits! It sounds like you have the best of both worlds!
grape / 95 posts
*Just an update!*
I broke down last week after my baby was so fussy and upset and constantly at the breast. I was starting to mentally break down after 3 months of frustrating breastfeeding and no sleep (judging by the nursing session where I cycled between maniacal laughter and sobbing - sorry husband!)
I've been doing formula for every other feed, and for the first time in 15 weeks, my baby is calm and relaxed and sleeping for 7 hours a night instead of 2 to 3.
Wishing I wasn't so stubborn! It's hard when you are told "breast is best" because you want to do everything possible for your baby and that phrase makes it seem like you aren't choosing a good option if you use formula. And you can always "try harder" with breastfeeding. That thought process almost did me in with relentless frustration.
We are all feeling so much better this week with almost-rested parents, a mom who can see clearly again, and a smiley, relaxed little babe who is no longer focused solely on getting enough food!
Now hopefully my supply keeps up enough to continue doing half and half, but if not... I won't let it get me down. It's not worth it!
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@MrsGeePerez: glad to see you're in a good spot! I supplemented regularly with my first and we BF till she was 25 months!
honeydew / 7622 posts
@MrsGeePerez: yay! Thanks for the update. So glad you are all happy and well!
honeydew / 7909 posts
@MrsGeePerez: go glad things are going well!! Baby deserves a happy mommy and you deserve to be happy!!
kiwi / 556 posts
@MrsGeePerez: The guilt was so overwhelming for me too. I fought so hard to keep breastfeeding and was so upset about how it worked out for us. Like you, I felt like I needed to keep trying harder and felt like a failure when it just continued to be such a struggle. It was quite the mind f*ck to be honest. Almost everything about it was devastating and I didn't think I'd ever get over it. Its been two months since she weaned (not by my choice, as I tried to keep doing 50/50).
It's hard to have perspective in the thick of it. But in time you'll feel more confident about your choices and the guilt will lessen. I look back and know I did everything I could and it just didn't work for us. Sure I still think "what if" at times, but the whole thing just isn't as overwhelming anymore. You'll get there! Be kind to yourself. Give yourself permission to feel okay about whatever happens!
cherry / 125 posts
I ended up EPing for my son for many reasons and now at 6 months, he is on formula. I also struggled with this and feel a lot of guilt. BFing was so much harder than anticipated, I feel like I failed. I keep saying I will get it right with the next one, but at the same time it is the one thing I am kind of dreading about having another one. All in all, you're definitely not alone and you have to do what is best for you!
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