Feeding and Nutrition

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

Sarahjoyce — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 03:25:21 GMT

HI I'm a first time mom. I also had a c-section with my daughter Sarah and I tried to Breastfeed and nurses were strongly against formula. My daughter and I were getting frustated with the Lactation nurse so we decided to give her formula... The pediatrician was okay with my decision...

Sincerely,

Beth

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

orbit_5482 — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 03:24:08 GMT

before I give a detailed answer and maybe look silly ..was the question meant for me?

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

sassy7 — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:31:15 GMT

I too had the same problem but still am. Baby is 4 weeks old now. Pedi told me to stop nursing for fear of baby having gerd and not gaining weight. I am still hopeful to be able to nurse but doing what the dr said to do. I have no support from my hubby or inlaws, they just want me to nurse and not go by the drs orders, I fear something bad will happen to my emotions if I dont get the support i need.

Are you having a better adjustment now from nursing to formula?

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

Pinksummer83 — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 07:01:45 GMT

I know there's already been a lot of comments on this post but I just wanted to let you know you are not alone . i'm in the same boat and feel guilty too. But after several weeks of wrestling with the guilt ..all I can say is that your baby is healthy and growing is most important. My baby didn't have a weight gain issue but I just a supply issue from day 1 and I just couldn't provide for him no matter what "tricks of the trade" I tried. I'd get about an ounce to ounce and half total from both breasts after each pump session. He's pretty much been on formula since birth and he is healthy and growing like a weed. He's 7 weeks and grown out of half of his 0-3 mos clothing. Breast is best...but formula is not bad either.

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

RayJiD — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:31:35 GMT

Congratulations mommy! You should not feel guilty! Your intentions were good! Some mothers are not even concerned with breastfeeding their baby at all, you did it, and you wanted to give that experience and nutrition to your baby. Way to go! It is wonderful that you were able to do it for the time that you did. I am sure that gave your baby just what she needed. I am sure that your baby will always have the best because you are a concerned mother. Never feel guilty when you have to make changes and choices so that your child will receive what he/she needs.

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

MommyRN4 — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:21:06 GMT

It is hard to stop breastfeeding, but sometimes things don't always go the way we planned! Luckily, we do have the option to offer our babies another alternative. Don't stress out and try to take the pressure off of yourself. Your baby is getting all the nutrition she needs. Good luck and know that you are not alone!

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

JackAndElsiesMom — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 01:01:49 GMT

I struggled with breastfeeding my first child and gave up after a month. My daughter was born in August and I was determined to try again. She is now 8 weeks and I'm still struggling. I feel like she is making a good latch, but it's still very painful every time she nurses. From the beginning I've had to supplement with formula, especially at night because she is so hungry and wants to eat every 45 min!! During the day she seems to get enough and is nursing about every 3 hours. I have tried pumping but with little luck, usually I get less than 2 oz total. I have tried taking Fenugreek, eating lots of oatmeal and grains and drinking lots of water. Maybe it's just not meant for me? I've become so stressed about it that I don't look forward to feedings at all :( I know that there is nothing wrong with feeding formula only, but I guess it's maybe maternal instinct that makes me want to keep up with the BF

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

PediNurseJulie1 — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 03:47:10 GMT

First of all, KUDOS to you for continuing to pump and offer your breastmilk. It is very hard when you go back to work to really keep production up. The benefits of breastmilk are still being given to your son when you provide your immunity and nutrients with some of the breastmilk you give him! Keep nursing him as often as you can at home to help ramp up supply and continue the pumping at work. All the guilt you are feeling is so sad to me - you are obviously a very dedicated and loving mother. Your kids could not ask for anything more! Don't beat yourself up over something that is beyond your control and just take pride in offering him what breastmilk you can. Hugs to you!

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

jjmcgee913 — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:43:22 GMT

My son is 7 weeks old and I really wanted to breastfeed him since my milk actually came in because it didnt come in with my first son. At the hospital he was latching good, but it took me a couple days to produce the milk he needed so I started pumping and decided to put what I pumped in a bottle. I wanted him to get used to a bottle because I knew I would have to go back to work eventually. At first I was producing enough milk for him, but now I am not and I have to supplement with formula. I am back to work now and have to use my lunch breaks to pump because I don't get to otherwise. I really wanted him to have all breast milk for at least 6 months or longer, but I know I have to supplement so he gets fed well and grows. I am going to pump as long as I can.

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

PediNurseJulie1 — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 04:54:06 GMT

Codysmommy717 - you have worked so hard to make this happen! I want to just give you a hug and tell you what a great job you've done. This must be very frustrating for you. I'd encourage you to give a lactation consultant a call. Have you tried this? There are some tricks and tips they have and even some medications they can recommend that your OB prescribe for you. If you don't know where you can find one, try calling the hospital where you delivered. They should be able to direct you. Hang in there.

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

Brinny — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:14:41 GMT

codysmommy717 I would suggest that you see not only a lactation consultant but possibly a nutritionist as well. the consultant will be able to help you figure out how to get a good milk supply going and possibly have some tips as to what to eat that might be able to help that along as well. Talking with a nutritionist will help you better understand the foods that you should be eating to help with milk production while keeping yourself healthy also. Believe it or not what you eat can directly affect your milk. Also make sure you are drinking enough water.

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

codysmommy717 — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 01:44:20 GMT

Im a new mom my little boy, Cody, born July 17, 2012, and i have had the same problem we started out only breastfeeding it was a tough start, he wasnt latching on very well. He was born via c-section so we stayed in the hospital for a week for me to heal. By the time we left the hposital my milk still hadnt came in and it really worried me. it wasnt til the next day that it finally came in and Cody started to gain his weight back. He would nurse every few hours and seemed full when he finished. Now he is 6 weeks old and can eat 4 to 6oz every few hours and even with pumping im not making enough for him to be completelty satisfied. I even tried pumping every 2 hours every day for 2 weeks and i still didnt see an increase, in fact i saw a decrease. i feel like a failure because Im not making enough milk and have no choice but to give him formula. Cody still wants to nurse but after 10 mins he gets mad because there isnt anymore and cries. I dont know what else to do to try and help my milk production or if there is anything i can do. Its not like he minds taking a bottle with formula but its just depressing that its not my milk he is getting instead.

Anyone with some helpful words or advice i an willing to read. thanks

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

JJJ_1st_time — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 01:17:43 GMT

So it has now been almost a month since I have last posted about having to switch to formula! Time does fly!
Thank you all for the overwhelming support and comments! Just an update: Baby is growing, but we are not using formula! and we are not BFing. .... I remembered my sis-in-law having the same issues with my middle niece and asked her advice. We have now switched to goat's milk (with pediatrician permission) and Lil' Bit is growing like a weed! Thanks again for all your support!

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

laurnblck — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 22:54:32 GMT

I have the same situation and cried a few times thinking i was a bad mom but i pump as much as I can and put my baby to the breast as much as I can handle to try to build my supply. he is really fussy but anytime on the breast helps. Try to do it a few times a day if you can. I also started going to a breast feeding group at my hospital and the lactation nurse is very helpful and its nice to have people support you that are going through the same thing. good luck and enjoy your little one.

Re: Breast feeding to formula and guilt!

AnswerDad03 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:23:38 GMT

All we can do for our children is our best, and it seems like you have done that. I have great respect for those mothers who are physically able to nurse for months and months. But I get aggravated that mothers are made to feel guilty when nursing long-term is not a possibility. I have seen some mothers driven to tears by insensitive people who classify non-nursing moms as bad mothers, even when they are not aware of the circumstances. Keep doing whatever it takes to provide what you feel is best for your baby! Good luck!