Feel bad for even considering using formula

[socitycourty]

Don't be so hard on yourself. My mom fed my sister and I formula only, by choice. She never even wanted to try breastfeeding, and neither did my MIL and all of us are healthy and fine.

I desperately want to BF as I won't be returning to work and can't afford formula....and also deep down I really want to experience it and etc, even though it sounds corny. But if it doesn't work out, I know there's formula & my LO will get fed either way

 

[sjwebb]

Don't ever feel bad for feeding your child, regardless of what choice you make whether its breastmilk or formula. Tons of children are on formula and that doesn't make them any less healthy hun!

 

[Arisa]

Dont feel guilty, as long as baby is loved and cared for and fed this is what matters the most. I have to formula feed because of the medication I take and there is no way I could ever stop or else Ill be in the psychiatric ward and therefore unable to even look after baby let alone breastfeed. I also do not like the idea of breast infections, giving up dairy and being hungry all the time from feeding, also I want to go on the combined pill as soon as

 

[babyfromgod]

Thanks for all the positive reassuring comments girls. I guess i will see how i go. If it is getting too stressful and taking up too much of my time with DS then i may have to consider it, also i don't know how i will get on giving up dairy as i love milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream. I want to be a happy mummy not a stressed out one. I just hope i can breastfeed as it is alot cheaper!

 

[Mee_Mummy]

I bottle fed my DS since day dot. I did attempt at BF but I'd been in labour 70 hours and not slept so I kinda just gave up on the idea - which I regret.

I am going to breastfeed LO. I figure that it might be hard for the first few weeks but once we are in an established feeding pattern it should be a lot easier.

Whatever you decide then your baby will be happy. Formula is not 'bad' its just an artificial boob milk that doesn't contain aintibodies etc. Xx

 

[babydustfairy]

Well I'm thinking of breast feeding for a good few weeks then starting to add some formula for when we will be out and about but also was thinking baby's last feed could b bottle so that I can get to bed a bit earlier so that I can get up
In the night and early morning! But u just never know till they come what I'd going to work. I'm trying not to over think everything anc go with the flow!! But I don't believe for one second that formula is bad but I think that if you can bf for a short time after birth that is better. But it doesn't happen or even appeal to everyone! We r all different xXx

 

[mlyn26]

I wouldn't care what others think. You habeas thought it through and decided formula is best for you so i say do it and do it guilt free. We already have too much to feel guilty about x

 

[tinks80]

With my DS i breastfed him for 6 weeks. I gave up due to his horrible reflux and lack of support. Also i found the constant feeding very tough as he would scream when i put him down even just to get myself some breakfast.

This time i am worried how i will cope having a newborn constantly attatched to my boobs as well as a toddler to take care of. If i could barely get myself fed last time how will i be able to feed both of us and feed LO. I just don't want my son to miss out on attention and feel left out. I would like to try breastfeeding but kind of have it in my head that it is going to be too hard with a toddler and am considering formula feeding.

I know breast is best nutritionally but doesn't work for everyone. Does anyone have any friendly advice? Please no judging me

Breastfeeding isnt for everyone, some women cant breastfeed due to medical, personal reasons etc and no one should ever be judged on wether your own personal choice is to breastfeed your baby or to bottle feed.

i completely understand you, my 1st was breastfed for 3weeks then i got severe mastitis and had to have a syringe into my breast to remove the fluid, this was by far excruiating and then had to go on anti biotics afterwards which meant i couldnt bf her till the course was finished. as a result i bottle fed her, which in the long run worked out well as she ended up with really bad Reflux and had to put on a certain thickened formula.

my 2nd was breastfed for just over 5months and then went to bottle, after he was on the bottle he slept amazingly and was so much more happier baby and started gaining more weight etc.

my 3rd was born premie at 31 weeks so i had around 1month of expressing and then breastfeeding afterwards she got tired easily and i was on the lounge all day everyday feeding her, it got to the point where i had to remember i had 2 other children to care for and eventually i gave in at 5months and she went to the bottle.

everyone is entitled to make their own decision about how to feed their baby and what works best for them. in no way should you feel guilty at all. this is your baby your choice.

 

[VikkiD]

Please dont feel guilty, I think to much pressure is put on women to breastfeed, The main thing is that you have a healthy happy baby.
I am not breastfeeding as my boobs have been so sore since before I found out I was pregnant and I just cannot bring myself to breastfeed. This is my choice.

I know lots of people who have formula fed and their babies/Children are just as healthy as a breastfed baby.

 

[Torontogal]

I just wanted to say how impressed at how sane this thread is! I am so glad to see this oasis of sanity in what could have become a rancourous polarized debate. Yay us! (And may all of our babies be happy and well fed, no matter what the feeding method).

 

[Babytimeagain]

I bottle fed my 1st child and breast fed my 2nd for around 7m and they are both happy healthy and well balanced this time I have not made my mind up as of yet but will keep open minded about how I feel at birth as its my body, my baby, my choice just as its each and everyone of ours... so do what is best for you x

 

[Bunnikins]

I feel the same. Im only 14 weeks and i already feel ive been getting "bullied" about breast feeding. I have no intention of breast feeding. Its just not for me. I dont want to, and i know my baby will be just fine with formula. Ive looked into it, done my research, asked everyone i know who has a baby.. I refuse to be bullied now, or feel bad for my choice, so dont feel bad or guilty. Formula is FINE and breastfeeding isnt for everyone. xx

 

[jenmcn1]

I just wanted to say how impressed at how sane this thread is! I am so glad to see this oasis of sanity in what could have become a rancourous polarized debate. Yay us! (And may all of our babies be happy and well fed, no matter what the feeding method).

yes I thought FOR SURE this thread would get some crazy opinions and cause drama But thankfully no! Which is GREAT!

 

[babyfromgod]

Thanks for all the replies girls, i am so glad we could keep this topic non argumentative

 

[NuKe]

I'm in the same boat, worried about the practicalities, but I'm gonna give it my best shot!!

I believe everyone should at least TRY it, but would never look down on someone it didnt work out for!

 

[Tink84]

Don't feel bad hun. What matters is that you and baby are happy and if that is formula feed then so be it.

My mam had 4 of us and we were all formula. I am going to try bf but don't think i'll b confident to do it in front of anyone other than OH so who knows but we are getting a tin of forumla in regardless and baby will probs end up on both as I knoe OH is desperate to have a massive role in our babies life including feeding

 

[KittyVentura]

I have the same worries. I desperately WANT to breastfeed my daughter but am SOOO worried about the impact it could have on my son.

My son loves my boobs. We only breastfed for 3 weeks but I then wore him on my front mostly until he was 11 months and even now he still will stroke and nuzzle my chest when he's tired or upset. If I wear anything that shows my cleavage his fingers always try and creep down there... it sounds worse than it is. They are a comfort thing to him. ANyway... I really don't know how he will react ot my breastfeeding...

And then there's the tiredness, the time, the inability to have Ian feed the baby while I lavish atention on Fin.

I'm determined to give it my best shot. I really am. But I am worried about it. That said, I know Fin throved on formula and thik I will escape any mummy guilt this time if we need to switch xx

 

[jessicatunnel]

My whole family bottle feeds their children, and my DH's family breastfeeds theirs. I'm kinda torn, I might breastfeed for the first few weeks and then switch to bottle feeding. Don't feel bad, bottle feeding is becoming the norm now.