I think it's a great idea and something everyone should try to do. It's
healthier for both mother and baby, it's always the perfect temperature
and contains the correct nutrients, it's also MUCH cheaper. I tried to
breastfeed. I did it exclusively for about a month, then I had to give
her a bottle of formula. I cried.
Then
I went back to work after 8 weeks and everything changed. She started
being watched by someone else and I started trying to pump. I was able
to get about 12 ounces a day, not nearly enough to feed her for the
amount of time I was gone. Then, after about 2 months of that and I
ended up in the hospital for a week. It was impossible to pump and just
as impossible to actually feed the baby and it totally killed my
supply. I am now at the point where I can feed her about once a day.
I
feel guilty sometimes, but there's not much I can do about it. The
biggest thing that I struggle with is the militant breastfeeders. I
like mother's groups, but many of the mothers there are SAHMs (Stay at
home moms) and are exclusive breastfeeders. They act like I'm giving my
baby poison when I give her formula and some of them actually try to
preach at me about the benefits of breastmilk! I wish I could
breastfeed, believe me I do. I still feel horrible about it and my
heart still tugs when I mix that formula, it's the hardest thing I have
to do.
I wish it were an option for me to stay at home and
breastfeed her, but as it stands I have to work almost 50 hours a week
an hour away from home, that's just the way it is.
My baby drinks formula. She is happy and healthy. That's all there is.
So to all those militant breastfeeders out there: There are some of us that really want to breastfeed, but can't so please keep your opinions about formula to yourselves unless asked. It's hard and painful enough for us, don't make it worse.
