Switching to formula

atangiblewish

Just curious. I was wondering if anyone has given up breast milk all together? I breast feed a few times a day. But when I do many of the times I get a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach or get depressed/frustrated while she's feeding. I think it has to do when I was a teen a guy felt me up and when I stopped him he punched me. At least that's all I can think it is. I've tried pumping but she gets so fussy I can't seem to do it often. I really want her to continue bm and just supplementing with formula. However, with going back to work in 13 days and all of this emotion I don't know what to do. I feel so guilty with the thought of doing this at just 4 weeks.

Nix55

What about pumping and bottle feeding?

atangiblewish

I do pump as much as I can but she's super fussy and seems to wake up mid session so I only getting about 2.5-3oz. And this happens at most 3x a day.

iggles09

First, do not feel guilty for any decision you make. As long as you are feeding your baby and taking care of her you are doing exactly everything right. 

Secondly, I think you should talk to someone about your feelings. Even if it doesn't make a difference for this baby it might make a difference for any future possible children but just in general it sounds like you still have to work through these feelings.

Third, I have come across a real condition called dysphoric milk ejection reflex or D-MER during many different searches about breastfeeding. Apparently it is common but relatively unknown. I came across a website dedicated just to the education of it. It might be worth checking out. GL

https://d-mer.org/Home_Page.html

mommakristydawn

My thought is DO WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU AND THE BABY! Breast milk is great but there are times when it is not for everyone. I pump and bottle feed and I make sure I hold my DD close and talk to her and sing and it is our special time. I have HUGE boobs and inverted nipples so with all my kids I mostly pumped and it works for us. I Tried to work with a LC and I just don't make enough to feed her only BM but I give her what I can and I don't dwell on it.

Nix55

4 weeks of BM is a great start for your baby. I had to supplement also since I wasn't producing enough and LO dropped 15 ounces the first week. By week 4 I was hardly producing despite every bowl of oatmeal, pumping session, drop of Mother's Milk, etc. I finally came to terms with it and exclusively formula feed now. It broke my heart, but LO and I were much happier once all the stress was eliminating from feeding time. Not to mention, it is okay to use formula. You need to do what's best for your sanity and take care of baby's health. Talk to your SO other and/or pediatrician. They can both help you sort through this and guide you into the transition if you choose to FF. GL, hon.

shihtzumomma

I always got that feeling when I would feed DD1. Honestly, switching to formula was the best thing I did for both of our sake. I was so much happier and we finally bonded where I hadn't been able to bond with her before because of the dread I felt. She was about a month old. 

atangiblewish

Stupid question. Those who switched to eff were or are your Lo's more sick?

Rogue Lily

I pumped and fed for a month and then weaned 2.5 weeks ago. I also stopped due to anxiety related reasons. Breast feeding makes me a lunatic & it's not good for anyone. I breastfed my daughter for 9 months, and i have to say, I am so happy to be formula feeding this time. I am actually enjoying this child & my family and it is amazing. & according to my doctor: "breastmilk is amazing, formula is wonderful. No worries!".

costa2011

Do what's best for you and your family. I EP'ed for a month and started to wean at that point for a few reason. 1) I could never get her to latch to breast so that's why I pumped, but pumping is very hard too and began to be too much. 2) I'm preparing to go back to work and don't want to have that hanging over my head while I'm working. DD will be two months tomorrow and she is completely weaned now. I felt very guilty and horrible but I eventually let that go. Especially since my pediatrician said "some is better than none, do what's right for you and that will be what's right for baby." This made me feel better.

KEK1025

I FF my son after two months on BM. He had a milk and soy protein allergy and the restricted diet just got to be too much for me. He was on special formula until 1. I had a lot of guilt over that decision but we were all happier after the switch so it was the right thing to do. DS is a completely healthy and normal 2 year old. Sure he has been sick with the normal infant stuff - HFMD, couple ear infections, colds etc. he also was in a daycare setting so I doubt being BF would have made some huge difference. I'm trying to BF again this time but DD is also showing allergy symptoms. I'm eliminating the diary in hopes she is ok with soy but if not ill move to formula again as well. Do what's right for you, formula is not the bad guy.

MdWestMom

There's no question that breast milk is best, but formula isn't the devil. There are good reasons to continue BFing (even when its hard) & those reasons won't change BUT only you can weigh those benefits against your emotional stress level & the issues associated with BFing your baby. If you do switch, applaud yourself for making it to 4 weeks & know that only you can decide what's best for you & baby. Please do consider making an appt w/ a female counselor or support group to discuss your past experience & how it might be impacting you today (maybe in other ways besides just BFing). I think you will have a positive experience just talking about it with other women who understand.

ilovemarfa

As long as you are feeding your child, that is all that matters. I supplemented with formula with both of my boys in the first week of their lives because I had big boys and my milk came in slowly so they were always hungry. I felt guilty too but then I remembered that my husband and father were formula fed kids and they are both extremely intelligent and healthy.

kari.sandall

I have been supplementing since 4 weeks because I wasn't producing enough for both babies anymore. I pumped from day 1 and decided last night, after taking reglan for weeks, I couldn't take it anymore. We are now ff and, other than my boobs being sore today, it has been a much better day. Do what's best for you and your baby. Don't feel guilty at all.

suwannee79

I think genetics plays more of a role in sickness than what your baby eats. Both of my parents and their families are very healthy and my mom strictly formula fed me and my entire life I have rarely gotten sick. In fact, my mom joked she wished I had been sick more often as a kid so she could have called in sick more It's great to say breastfeeding your baby will make them healthier but in all honesty I am breastfeeding my son because it's free, I think whatever genes he inherited will determine wether or not he's healthy.

As other people have said, as long as you love your baby and are feeding them - be it breast milk or formula - then you're doing a great job

bumpuser8448316

suwannee79 said:

I think genetics plays more of a role in sickness than what your baby eats. Both of my parents and their families are very healthy and my mom strictly formula fed me and my entire life I have rarely gotten sick. In fact, my mom joked she wished I had been sick more often as a kid so she could have called in sick more It's great to say breastfeeding your baby will make them healthier but in all honesty I am breastfeeding my son because it's free, I think whatever genes he inherited will determine wether or not he's healthy. As other people have said, as long as you love your baby and are feeding them - be it breast milk or formula - then you're doing a great job

I agree about genetics. My son was EBF and my best friends son was EFF. Neither have been sick a day in their lives. She was breast fed and I was formula fed- she gets sick at the drop of a hat and I never get sick. I know anecdotes =/= research but I thought I'd share anyway Do what is best for you and your LO whether its formula or breast milk.

RovinChick

Do what works for you.  I was formula fed and had a very healthy childhood.  The very first time I took an antibiotic was at age 26 due infected tooth.  The dentist couldn't believe I had never had an ear or sinus infection growing up.