Just need a little encouragement/reassurance

[clearlycrystal]

I tried to breastfeed with my son and struggled with supply and latch issues. I was always okay with formula and we had been supplementing but the thought of giving up breastfeeding was devastating. I felt like a failure and like i should be able to do more. I finally realized the stress was hurting me and my relationship with my son. My DH really encouraged me during that time. I share my story in hopes it encourages you. I don't believe there really is a wrong answer. Make the decision that is best for your family.

Because my supply went down slowly and supplementing increased I am not exactly sure how you should transition. Sorry no help there.

[yuristar]

Mama, do ultimately what you think is best, if your baby has been struggling with your milk and the process is draining you just switch to formula. Your baby will benefit more with a happy mum, and the stress this is causing you cannot possibly be good for either of you.

[doglover31]

BF is really hard! Don't be so hard on yourself. If using formula will cut down on how much stress you have then I say go for it. If you stop BF you are not a terrible mom. You have to make the right decision for you and your family.

Since I have been back to work it has been hard for me to keep up with pumping to meet my LOs demand. I pump about 20 ounces a day while I'm at work. And that is just enough to replace what he eats. He has 5 oz bottles and chugs through them. We tried slower nipples, paced feedings, etc and he just wants 5 oz at a time. My supply started dwindling so I had to get formula so he could have one bottle a day so I could build back up my freezer stash. I cried when I had to go buy the formula because I felt like I failed him. I had a really hard time with it. But now it has stopped me from stressing if I am pumping enough. I have made peace with supplementing since the most important thing is he is being fed.

Sorry for such a long reply. I just know how you feel like you are failing if you introduce formula. Just remember baby will be happy no matter what, and will be even happier if momma isn't super stressed.

[alioop1028]

::Big creepy internet hug:: I'm so sorry you're super stressed and it truly is hard making the jump from BF to FF. The guilt is palpable, but I just want to echo everyone else and say that it's ok. Parenting is hard enough as it is and as long as your baby is happy, healthy and eating, that's all that matters. I am supplementing too, due to some complications that my LO had at 2 months. I was venting to my pediatrician about it and he said, "People act like Formula is a poison these days, but plenty of healthy and smart babies thrive on it." It was still hard to hear at the time but being a formula fed baby myself I'm only a little weird. haha

[bella2425]

You gotta do what's right for you and your baby. Do not beat yourself up, like you said, you both will be happier. It will be OK.

[queenbabee]

Feb 4, 2015 12:00:17 GMT -5 bella2425 said:

You gotta do what's right for you and your baby. Do not beat yourself up, like you said, you both will be happier. It will be OK.

Yes! It will be ok! As for the transition, yes you can start with same ounces and vary from there. Typically FF babies will eat more per feed and slightly longer intervals between, but every baby is different. 
Dont beat yourself up. Do what you have to do  
::hugs::

[judyblume14]

"Poor you!" is right! I'm sorry you're feeling down on yourself over this. To echo everyone else who has posted, and your own words - if you'll both be happier by switching to formula, breastfeeding may not be worth the stress it is causing. Every ounce of breast milk you've fed that little baby so far has been awesome for her. And every ounce of formula you may choose to feed her in the future will be awesome for her, too!

But practicality aside, I am EBF my LO, so I can completely understand how disheartening it may be if you do decide to go ahead and stop. So, big hugs to you. Congratulations on almost 5 months of breastfeeding!

[rkang01]

I am sorry to hear it has been so rough for you. You have to find what is going to make you happy. Taking care of yourself is taking care of you LO.

With that said, I completely understand your guilt, I choose to be happy, and I had a breast reduction when I was 20. I knew then it would affect my milk supply but it wasn't really a big deal to me. I had planned to FF until DD was born and I had an overwhelming desire to breastfeed. After a ton of time/money/energy my low, slow flow never got better, as of 2 weeks ago DD will no longer nurse. I can tell she just doesn't think it is worth it anymore and would rather have a bottle. I have been pumping but I hate every second of it. 10 mins of pumping to get about 2oz total sucks! Now I have a ton of guilt because the breast reduction changed my life so much, but now I can't provide for my DD like I should be able too. I struggle with the thought that it was a selfish decision for me to make 10 years ago, I had no idea how much it would affect me now.

Sorry to hijack your post with my story but I have been wanting to get it off my chest as well, it has been weighing heavily on me and didn't want to start another similar post.

[sweetpeabee]

First, I am so sorry that you are going through this.

Second, count the time that you HAVE breast fed your baby. You have already given your LO months of breast milk, which is more than some mothers can or choose to do. And you know what? Those LOs turn out ok! BFing is hard work and you have provided your baby with an excellent start.

Hang in there, and make the decision that will work for you and your LO! *hugs*

[horselover]

I can totally relate and go back and forth all the time and it's so hard. I did test some formula first as I thought I was ready to pull the trigger so I could see how dd did. She takes 7-8 oz 5 times a day so I started with 2oz formula to 6 oz bm and the. If I kept weaning I would change the ratio. I hope that helps and I think you are amazing for getting as far as you have with all the dietary restrictions! 

[Mermz]

You are not quitting, you're just stopping. It's okay.

[judyblume14]

Good luck weaning from the pump! You might want to check out the Breastfeeding or Exclusive Pumping boards for advice on how to do so comfortably.

Oh, and since you're free to eat dairy now, you should probably treat yourself to ice cream tonight. Just sayin'.

[anewadventure]

late to the party here - i haven't been able to find time to join you ladies since mid last week.

the biggest of hugs to you, @kait20122014. and so much encouragement. i feel really strongly about this topic. i despise the fact that there is such stigma and guilt surrounding BF vs. FF. i hate that even the idea of switching has brought you so much stress. i wish that the topic of how to feed your baby was not so fraught with emotional strain.

i am proud of you for making the decision to switch to formula. i wholeheartedly believe that your children need a happy and healthy mother, and although we all tend to make sacrifices for our LOs, there comes a time when a line is crossed. you reached it. you recognized it. that is so great. i hope you can work hard to lose the guilt, and bring yourself to full happiness with your decision in your mind. you are not depriving your DD2, and you are allowing yourself to finally eat all the foods again.

as for the nitty gritty of switching - i can tell you that babies this age that are FF are generally drinking 6-8 ozs. per bottle and easily 30-40 oz a day, HOWEVER we all know all babies are different and that is an average. i am not sure if the switch will take time for her stomach to get used to larger amounts of liquid in each feeding or not. i would start with say 5 oz. per bottle and increase gradually based on her cues - is she still hungry? is she spitting up? does she push the bottle away?

sorry for the novel. best of luck to you and always know we are here to support you and offer advice.

[rkang01]

Feb 5, 2015 10:01:39 GMT -5 @kait20122014 said:

Feb 4, 2015 17:29:45 GMT -5 rkang01 said:

I am sorry to hear it has been so rough for you. You have to find what is going to make you happy. Taking care of yourself is taking care of you LO.

With that said, I completely understand your guilt, I choose to be happy, and I had a breast reduction when I was 20. I knew then it would affect my milk supply but it wasn't really a big deal to me. I had planned to FF until DD was born and I had an overwhelming desire to breastfeed. After a ton of time/money/energy my low, slow flow never got better, as of 2 weeks ago DD will no longer nurse. I can tell she just doesn't think it is worth it anymore and would rather have a bottle. I have been pumping but I hate every second of it. 10 mins of pumping to get about 2oz total sucks! Now I have a ton of guilt because the breast reduction changed my life so much, but now I can't provide for my DD like I should be able too. I struggle with the thought that it was a selfish decision for me to make 10 years ago, I had no idea how much it would affect me now.

Sorry to hijack your post with my story but I have been wanting to get it off my chest as well, it has been weighing heavily on me and didn't want to start another similar post.

Please don't apologize for sharing your story.  I'm sorry you had such a hard time with it.  I totally relate to the complete mindset change since I was sure I would end up FF before I was a mom.  I had a job and I figured I would need to and it didn't bother me at all...until I'm in that position now over 2 years later with my second who should have been the easier one since I'm home all the time.

You are providing for your DD though just like I am.  You are providing her love and care and are making sure she is fed and healthy!

Thank you for your kind words and support.

I am glad to hear that the switch has gone smoothly and I know you put a lot of thought into you decision. I am sure you already feel so much lighter and stress free.... I think you deserve somebtotal guilt free eating of everything you couldn't before!!! Go nuts and eat ice cream until you are green in the face!