Community
Bammom's Pregnancy
My Due Date: July 7, 2014I have given birth!
Age: 40 years old
Location: Houston, United States
View All My Journal Entries
I switched to formula
By Bammom » Posted Jul. 17, 2014 9:09am - 543 views - 5 comments
Honestly breast feeding was going as well as it can go. I still wasn't making quite enough to satisfy her appetite so I had been supplementing her with formula at night while I pumped to build up the supply I needed to supplement her in the daytime feedings with. It was working out but I never seemed to get caught up with her. I would make a little more milk and she would want more in her tummy so I never got to stop supplementing her. I spent all day either nursing her or pumping to get more for her supplement and to try to build up my supply. I felt pretty stuck to the house because I couldn't stop feeding or pumping long enough to get myself, my son, and her dressed and out of the house. My son would sit on the couch and just stare at the tv. He was SO bored. He is an energetic kid and I haven't seen him this immobile ever. I felt terrible for keeping him cooped up all day. I would have my husband take him out to play after he got home from work but he had to wait all day for that. My hubby is tired when he gets home too so asking him to go play in the Texas heat was kind of unfair to him also. Anyway, yesterday was her first day of getting formula in the daytime and when my husband got home from work, I was actually able to leave the house and take our son to the park. It was my first time to spend any time alone with him since Violet was born. I think I did more than disappoint my best friend Nikki, I think it pissed her off a little too that I was quitting breastfeeding. I had to try to explain to her that formula just works best for us right now. I don't like being stuck to the house all day. There are a lot of aspects of life I feel like I am neglecting in the name of feeding Violet. With formula, Violet is still a healthy and happy baby. She's even happier than when we were breastfeeding because she's not constantly hungry. I stuck breastfeeding out past the hard part, past the engorgement. I can say I accomplished that. The thing is, I don't like it. It didn't feel rewarding to me at all. It felt kind of depressing and demeaning, milking myself like a cow all day. Like I wasn't her mother, I was a food factory. I know how many people disagree with my choice and the reasons I made it, but I made this choice, with my husband, for my family and what works for us. We are happier, and honestly, that is all that matters to us right now. Being happy and enjoying each other.
My Journal
I switched to formula
By Bammom » Posted Jul. 17, 2014 9:09am - 543 views - 5 comments
Honestly breast feeding was going as well as it can go. I still wasn't making quite enough to satisfy her appetite so I had been supplementing her with formula at night while I pumped to build up the supply I needed to supplement her in the daytime feedings with. It was working out but I never seemed to get caught up with her. I would make a little more milk and she would want more in her tummy so I never got to stop supplementing her. I spent all day either nursing her or pumping to get more for her supplement and to try to build up my supply. I felt pretty stuck to the house because I couldn't stop feeding or pumping long enough to get myself, my son, and her dressed and out of the house. My son would sit on the couch and just stare at the tv. He was SO bored. He is an energetic kid and I haven't seen him this immobile ever. I felt terrible for keeping him cooped up all day. I would have my husband take him out to play after he got home from work but he had to wait all day for that. My hubby is tired when he gets home too so asking him to go play in the Texas heat was kind of unfair to him also. Anyway, yesterday was her first day of getting formula in the daytime and when my husband got home from work, I was actually able to leave the house and take our son to the park. It was my first time to spend any time alone with him since Violet was born. I think I did more than disappoint my best friend Nikki, I think it pissed her off a little too that I was quitting breastfeeding. I had to try to explain to her that formula just works best for us right now. I don't like being stuck to the house all day. There are a lot of aspects of life I feel like I am neglecting in the name of feeding Violet. With formula, Violet is still a healthy and happy baby. She's even happier than when we were breastfeeding because she's not constantly hungry. I stuck breastfeeding out past the hard part, past the engorgement. I can say I accomplished that. The thing is, I don't like it. It didn't feel rewarding to me at all. It felt kind of depressing and demeaning, milking myself like a cow all day. Like I wasn't her mother, I was a food factory. I know how many people disagree with my choice and the reasons I made it, but I made this choice, with my husband, for my family and what works for us. We are happier, and honestly, that is all that matters to us right now. Being happy and enjoying each other.
Comments for this Journal Entry
 | Comment from Amarylis13 » Posted Jul. 19, 2014 10:51am I am so happy you felt good enough to make the choice to switch! I struggled to breastfeed and did it for a very long time. Looking back I could have enjoyed the baby stage better if she was formula fed. No one ever talks about the emotional part of breastfeeding and some of us just are not built for it whether mentally or physically. A fed baby is a happy baby :D |
 | Comment from Mrs_HT » Posted Jul. 18, 2014 10:28am I am pro feed the baby. Lol I breastfed my first and it was not easy. With my second I had to supplement because he was so small at birth. I too am constantly pumping and had to change my diet too. I am still supplementing one or two bottles daily, until he gets used to just breast milk on his tummy. Dont let others have an affect on this. Its not for everyone a nd it doesnt make you a bad person, it makes you a person feeding your kid. Besides you have another child you want to show your affection for as well and I can attest that it is hard to see them feel neglected. You got this girl! |
 | Comment from dakotagurrl » Posted Jul. 18, 2014 7:11am Do whatcha need to do, and dont feel bad for it. I didnt even attempt to breastfeed my first, got lotsa snide comments from nurses and other "perfect" parents, couldnt care less tho. This one, I'm not attempting again, I am gonna pump if I can get a decent supply, but if that doesnt pan out then I'm back to formula and not feeling bad about it. I think its great that u've chosen to do what u need to do for YOUR child and YOUR family...dont let anyone make u feel like its the wrong decision, becuz its not! |
 | Comment from Bammom » Posted Jul. 17, 2014 1:13pm Thanks Jennavee! |
 | Comment from jennavee » Posted Jul. 17, 2014 9:22am I felt the same way when my oldest son was born. The stress of trying to make more milk so that he would be happy was preventing me from bonding with him and I was pretty much confined to my schedule of feeding and pumping and crying over the whole thing. We were all so much happier when we switched to formula! I felt so guilty though until I realized how happy our little family was! Don't feel bad about doing what's best for you and your family!! Also, she got the most important weeks of breast milk! |
