Bottle-Feeding Moms Ignored

I am a first time mom and I felt the guilt of not breastfeeding when my baby was born. I took all the steps when I was pregnant to breastfeed ( I even took a class, got a breast pump and etc.) I was so set on it until I tried it. I had to have a c-section which I didn't plan and I was so hoping for the "all natural" way. Both my older sisters breastfeed their babies and gave birth naturally. Little did I know everything I had planned turned into a fantacy. For ten days I tried to nurse my little girl. She cried straight for almost 5 days after we left the hospital, she never seemed satisfied. I nursed around the clock literally for 22 hours straight. I couldn't handle it anymore and had to give in to formula. My milk supply never came in. At first I felt so guilty (because everyone told me formula was so bad). I learned very quickly that my baby was just so hungry. She slept 6 hours straight that night and still continues to sleep through the night. I don't think I will ever try to breastfeed again, it was such a bad experience for me. It makes me so angry that there isn't any support for women that decide to bottle feed. Like I said I felt so guilty even when my baby was starving to give in and give her formula. How sad that we as a society are so bent on breast feeding that we are neglecting our women out there that need help and assistance with bottle feeding. I also find it interesting that I cannot pick up a parenting book that does not deal with breastfeeding almost exclusively. Most books are hard for me to even incorporate into my child's schedule because it's dealing with breastfeeding schedules. I give credit to those who choose to breastfeed but I really think there isn't any support for those who decide against it.

My baby is now 4 months old and very healthy. Acutally I think she is developing quickly. I love the fact that formula allows me to get away for an evening without worring about pumping. I am a stay a home mom and enjoy every minute of my time. Bottle feeding has been a blessing and has never been a hassle like some of the books teach. I use powder formula and tap water. How much easier can it be. My baby is healthy and thriving. Most of us were raised on formula as well. We all turned out to be just fine.

So for those of you out there that are formula feeding and feel quilty, don't. It's your choice and good parenting is far more than just what we feed our children!!!

Amanda of WI 12:40AM September 28, 2010

I totally agree with this.. im from New zealand and am a new mother and i had no choice but to formula feed as my milk supply wasnt enough to keep up with my baby and she lost over 20% of her birth wieght when i was strictley breastfeeding. But the doctors and midwives here are horrible to me for doing it they made me feel like a huge failure and they blame everything under the sun on formula. they all say such bad things about formula its not fair on the people that have no choice. At least with formula you no exactley what your baby is getting and you no how much they are getting aswell... you have no idea what your baby is getting through your milk if anything at all... some people dont have time to sit around all day and feed at the same time as cleaning up there house and making sure they eat probley so there baby is getting enough food. i would never strictley breast feed every again. dont get me wrong breast feeding is good. but i will all ways do both.. that way my kids are still geting the goodness from me but they are also getting the goodnes from the formula. So im not sitting down doing nothing but feeding all day and can have a break and get stuff done. there should be way more information on formula feeding its really not fair on the mothers that cant breast feed.

Renee 1:56AM September 23, 2009