Combination feeding - feel like a failure

[StarBound]

I'm so upset about this, I feel like I'm failing my little man. I'm a first time mum but my lo is breastfed and latched straight away after birth and no problems since , midwife even compliments me on it. I have to start college tomorrow , 1 full day of 6 hours and 2 mornings a week . So my lo is being babysat by my mum and I am struggling to express enough milk to last the whole time so I've brought some sma to combo feed. I feel so bad about this

 

[sjminimac]

how can you possibly feel bad when you're going to college to get a qualification to better yours and your baby's life?? You're doing an amazing thing, and your baby is still getting the goodness from your breast milk x

 

[Seity]

I have to combo feed due to low milk supply. I also had to go back to work at 9 weeks and my body just doesn't respond well to a pump, so I could only ever get 2 oz at a time. Not enough to feed my baby during the day. It can be frustrating at times because I wish I could give him breast milk exclusively, but for some of us that's just not possible. Feel good that you're giving him what you can and appreciate that there is an option that allows you to go to college and get your degree.

 

[leena1]

Hiya
I had this with my first and just wanted to say when you are away from baby, you might find you can express a lot more? I could never express enough until I missed a feed away from baby and then I caught back up. Good luck at college!

 

[Nessicle]

don't feel bad hun! My mum's friend just had her first baby and she feels the same - her little fella is grouchy, whiney and never settles so my mum (who has had four babies and breastfed/combo fed us all) suggested trying him with some top up feeds of formula and he's so much more content.

That's so much more important - for your sanity and for LO's contentment - than feeling bad, there's so much pressure on women to breastfeed because it's best for baby but sometimes it's just not enough. This is my first baby and while I really want to breastfeed I know there's a chance she might not get enough milk or I might just not be able to do it xx

 

[aob1013]

I can't believe you are going back so quickly?!?!

I don't know what to suggest or say hun, i am so sorry you are feeling upset. You are doing great xx

 

[Embo]

Your not a failure your doing best for you and bubba, I would suggest trying aptimal though apparently its closer to breast milk than sma, (mum is a midwife) suggested this

 

[MelanieAnn]

Sorry to disagree with Embo, but the composition of Formulas is regulated by law and they are all more or less the same - there may be differences, but they're marketing gimmicks rather than necessarily beneficial to babe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKMuhNvFqzU