Is formula feeding really so bad?!

amalloy1 · November 2010

I shouldn't have gone to the breast feeding site but I've been supplementing with at least 1 bottle of enfamil a day because I just can't keep up with my LO. How are you all affected by the hot debate reagarding breastfeeding vs. formula? It is very intense, & those breast feeding-only people really make me feel bad!!!!!!! However, I feel like I'm holding on to my sanity by feeding LO a bottle when I just can't keep up with her appetite.

Please share your thoughts!

Allie30 · November 2010

I know, it can be really intimidating and depressing, especially if you're trying your hardest to breastfeed.

I was planning to EBF but I've been dealing with suppressed lactation and low supply. My baby was jaundiced and experiencing low birth weight and I was finally forced to feed her formula. I cried every time I had to give her formula for the first week or so, and I pumped non stop for two weeks to make it better. We're finally getting to a place where I'm feeding her half with breastmilk and I hope it keeps improving and we can cut out the formula entirely.

I'm giving her every drop of breastmilk I can make. She's getting hte immunities and other benefits from that. The formula, meanwhile, will not kill her, and it's keeping her fed enough and strong enough to breastfeed better as we move forward.

Formula isn't the devil. You do what you have to do, and what is best for you and your baby. A bottle here and there is fine.

cdg0819 · November 2010

I have no choice but to do formula due to hormonal disease which leads to low low supply. I have gotten several "mean" comments when on that board and trying to ask for help (I try to bf at least twice a day, but have to follow it up w. a bottle).

The way I see it, I am doing as much as I can and my son will be happy and healthy. Is BM better? Yes, that's pretty clear. But is formula bad? No. So many babies were formula fed and are thriving human beings.

For you, I'd day that a sane mom makes a happier baby. Good luck!

lyndsey0417 · November 2010

I do exactly what you do!! And here lately Lo has had 2 f bottles a day due to trying to get some back up built up! Do what makes your and your lo happy thats the best way to go!!

cmolivia · November 2010

i am for breastfeeding, however there have been a couple times that i didnt produce enough in the day to keep up with her so i topped her of with formula. I feel that yes breastfeeding is best because of the nutrients (my opinion though i would never force my view on someone else or judge them for their decision) but i would rather give my DD formula then let her cry and be hungry.

amalloy1 · November 2010

Supportive responses....Yay! The breast feeding only people sometimes can be way too harsh and make new moms feel bad if you just can't do it.

I REALLY appreciate the responses, &, as I've typed in other discussions before, my sister & I, and our many cousins were all formula fed and honestly, everyone turned out o.k. (All of our parents are European immigrants and apparently int he 70s they thought it was the sophisticated, "American" thing to do over breast feeding exculusively). If I could breast feed 100% I would, but it just isn't working. I feel it really is helping my mental health too to be able to use formula once in a while when I just don't seem to be producing enough milk, or when i just don't want to breast feed. I know that last sentence would generate MANY negative responses from some people, but it really is how I feel. THere are times when I am so tired, &, as selfish as it may sound, giving a bottle of formula here & there helps ME as much as I hope it nourshes my LO.

lmuir140 · November 2010

My son is 6 years old now. When my son was a newborn, we had to supplement with a bottle everyone once in a while. My hubby also gave him a bottle in the morning on the weekends to let me sleep in. I finally gave up the breastmilk at 9 months. I just didn't have the supple. My son is as healthy as can be. Even when he started school, he did not miss any days. You do what you have to do to help your baby grow. As I see it, a lot of my generation were fed formula and we grew well. You can only do what you can do. The most important thing is to have a healthy mom and baby. Good luck.

**Maggiepoo** · November 2010

DS is 4 months now and I have low supply issues so I have been forced to supplement with formula since he was 2 weeks old. I had fully intended to only BF but sometimes that is just not possible. I felt bad a first and then I realized that years ago almost all babies were FF and they turned out fine. The important thing is that DS and I are both happy. I say do whatever is best for you. Sometimes people can be a little too opinionated on this subject and it can make you feel like you are doing something wrong but if that is what you need to do to be a more sane mom then go right ahead!

redjetta22 · November 2010

rochella:

aww... I'm an EBFer and I don't think formula is so bad. I've been blessed with a good supply but I'd use formula in a heartbeat if I couldn't adequately keep up with DS. I do believe you should try to give your LO all the breast milk you can, but sometimes it just doesn't work out and sometimes taking care of one's emotional health can outweigh the benefits of killing yourself for a few drops of breast milk. No one can know your own individual situation except for you. My niece is exclusively formula fed and she is fine.

Thank you for saying this. I had every intention of putting that EBF badge on my profile for the first year of my baby boy's life, but it didn't work out that way. I wish there was a badge that said "I would if I could." I was making myself crazy and depressed trying. I'm over it. If my kid is hungry, I feed him. That is being a good mom. If I am able to breastfeed him, I do. If I need to give him a bottle, I do. He is happy and now I am too. It can feel like you're defective (almost felt like my fertility issues all over again... leave it to my stupid body to not know how to do ANYTHING). Breastmilk is better than formula for babies. But mothers who breastfeed are not better mothers than those who formula feed. Formula fed babies turn out just fine. Big Smile

redjetta22 · November 2010

amalloy1:

Supportive responses....Yay! The breast feeding only people sometimes can be way too harsh and make new moms feel bad if you just can't do it.

I REALLY appreciate the responses, &, as I've typed in other discussions before, my sister & I, and our many cousins were all formula fed and honestly, everyone turned out o.k. (All of our parents are European immigrants and apparently int he 70s they thought it was the sophisticated, "American" thing to do over breast feeding exculusively). If I could breast feed 100% I would, but it just isn't working. I feel it really is helping my mental health too to be able to use formula once in a while when I just don't seem to be producing enough milk, or when i just don't want to breast feed. I know that last sentence would generate MANY negative responses from some people, but it really is how I feel. THere are times when I am so tired, &, as selfish as it may sound, giving a bottle of formula here & there helps ME as much as I hope it nourshes my LO.

I feel this way too. Don't feel bad. I was starting to really resent breastfeeding because every time was a battle and he would work at it so hard and then he'd just scream in frustration because he was still hungry. Sometimes you have to just draw the line and say enough is enough. If I had not allowed myself to keep feeding him bottles when I could not emotionally handle breastfeeding him, I would have stopped completely already. At this point I don't totally hate breastfeeding, and I'd like to keep it that way.

monimonimoni · November 2010

rochella:
aww... I'm an EBFer and I don't think formula is so bad. I've been blessed with a good supply but I'd use formula in a heartbeat if I couldn't adequately keep up with DS. I do believe you should try to give your LO all the breast milk you can, but sometimes it just doesn't work out and sometimes taking care of one's emotional health can outweigh the benefits of killing yourself for a few drops of breast milk. No one can know your own individual situation except for you. My niece is exclusively formula fed and she is fine.

This exactly Yes

And OP, don't stress. Formula is NOT the devil some people try to make it out to be.

slaus2 · November 2010

Of course not, and please remember that not all "breastfeeding only" people are like this. The real problem is, people need to mind their own business and let parents feed and raise their children the best way for their family. I EBF my son and I could care less is someone chooses to feed formula. Their child, their choice. People will always have an opinion and there will always be someone who thinks you need to hear it. I get comments from people all the time that is anti-breastfeeding, people telling me why they choose formula, formula makes babies sleep better, bf'ing is "weird", bf'ing in public is disgusting, "I fed my son formula and he turned out fine", breast milk is not "sufficient" enough for babies. Try not to let it get to you, it's just the first of many things people will try to make you feel bad about while raising your child.

jokelly1984 · November 2010

In the same boat. But you never know about kids getting sick. my mom EBF me for 2 years, and I was sick all the time as a child. Whatever makes mommy feel better and happy is best!

I have uber low-supply after having breast masses removed, and my mom gives me crap all the time for supplementing and not going on reglan or domperidone. I don't want to take any more drugs thank you very much.

We're all doing our best, and our babies love us no matter what we feed them.

alylunabell · November 2010

Thanks for posting this and thank everyone's for their positive comments.. I haven't had to give LO formula yet, but I have been struggling with my supply and every day I wonder if I won't pump or make enough that day. It has stressed me out, which is probably worse than the bottle or two of formula.

jazzyexpo · November 2010

Your feeding your baby & that's really all that matters. I'm EFF. DD is as healthy as can be. My pedi said at our first visit, I don't care how she eats as long as she's eating. You do what you have to do & everyone's situation is different.

The 'holier than thou' attitude some have, has to go.

reddreads9 · November 2010

cdg0819:
I have no choice but to do formula due to hormonal disease which leads to low low supply. I have gotten several "mean" comments when on that board and trying to ask for help (I try to bf at least twice a day, but have to follow it up w. a bottle).
The way I see it, I am doing as much as I can and my son will be happy and healthy. Is BM better? Yes, that's pretty clear. But is formula bad? No. So many babies were formula fed and are thriving human beings.
For you, I'd day that a sane mom makes a happier baby. Good luck!

This exactly!

trarenee13 · November 2010

I didn't even attempt to BF this time around. With my first DS, I didn't produce milk. Therefore, if I hadn't used formula my son would have died from starvation. On top of that, I had attempted a vaginal birth and couldn't due to him being breech with the umbilical cord around his neck. So we were looking at me being a total failure of a mom the first week of his life if you would listen to these other mothers. My son is now a very healthy, smart 14 year old. So I say to he!! to these other people and don't feel bad. Give your baby everything they need, including formula if desired. Good luck!!!!!

Allie30 · November 2010

lyndsey0417:
I do exactly what you do!! And here lately Lo has had 2 f bottles a day due to trying to get some back up built up! Do what makes your and your lo happy thats the best way to go!!

Your baby is GORGEOUS, Lyndsey. Look at that smile!

nerdishgrrl · November 2010

This!! I wanted to breastfeed SO bad, but it wasn't working. I would cry, Richie would cry, and the whole family was miserable. I am a much happier mom now that we are giving him formula, and I still feel guilty for not breastfeeding. People act like Im some selfish terrible person, or like I don't care about my baby's health. I know breastmilk is best, but the fact that I can't continue breastfeeding does NOT affect the amount of love that I feed him with.

AGmomof3 · November 2010

I know what you mean!

After my daughter's 4th day with NO wet diapers I couldn't ignore my doctor's order to supplement formula. That next day a friend of mine - a huge LLL gal went on and on and on and on about what I SHOULD do - it was such an annoying lecture when I just needed a little support. Talk about feeling depressed after that. It'd be great if I could do what she did - she BF twins for 2 years!

That wasn't me!

I pumped and at first only got a few ML a session. I been working on it and taking fenugreek and reglan to build my supply, but I plan on most likely quitting when my dd is 5 months and then she'll get whatever bm I've frozen AND formula. As it is, I supplement formula after giving her a bottle of bm - I hate wasting even a drop. But I don't feel bad.

With DD#2 I quit trying to even pump by 6 weeks since I was only making 1 bottle of bm a day. She was raised on formula and is a healthy, happy 7 year old.

Most likely most of us were formula fed. BF back in the 50-70's was "old fashioned" and formula was "modern". We obviously turned out fine. How much better is formula now.

Don't sweat the judging moms! (hugs)

tashabsorrells · November 2010

I EP and still worry if I'm doing things right! There are so many "rules" and worries that accompany breat milk, don't shake it, don't let the water reach the rim when warming it, is she getting too much foremilk, am I eating the right things to keep her healthy, do I have enough thawed milk on hand, what if I don't have enough time to pump at work, the list goes on and on and on . It's pretty overwhelming! So my point is, whether you BF or FF, you will still have questions & doubts. I guess because we love our babies sooo much! Just ignore those who are all high and mighty and do things your way

kagl04 · November 2010

I EFF and my DD has never had a drop of BM in her entire life! This was by no means my choice, but it is what I have to do. I have Grave's Disease (Thyroid Disease) and am on medication 2x daily. It was because of this pregnancy that I developed it this condition. It was hard enough keeping my DD healthy during pregnancy with all the medication I was on, now BF was out of the question. This medication is passed through BM and DD would need monthly blood tests to check her thyroid function. It was advised through my Dr. not to breastfeed and that's what we did! DD has been FF since day 1 and she is a growing, happy and healthy little girl! And she will be 3 months old tomorrow and has never been sick (knock on wood). Of course I wanted to BF, but knowing my DD is growing and healthy is all that really matters to me now. So no, IMO, formula is not bad... without it my DD would be subjected to unnecessary blood work and possibly medication.

taratru · November 2010

I'm formula feeding my third child and I did it because I wanted to and you know what? They're perfectly healthy, I'm perfectly happy, and I don't regret it for one single second.

You do what you have to do. It's no different than a million other choices you'll make for your kids - where/how do they sleep, what they will wear, where they will go to church, what kind of tv will they watch...people will always think they can do it "better." You just worry about how to do it best for your family. Smile

kerribear1717 · November 2010

I BF and do one bottle of formula a day. I started the formula when DS was like one month old because I needed the break and I had NO milk stored. LO eats it all up, so I pump when he's getting the bottle so I can store some up for when I go back to work. Still don't get much pumping even though I bought the expensive one from Medela but whatever.

Acendaneil · November 2010

While I was in the hospital I was able to breastfeed for a little while. They put me on antibiotics which allowed me to "pump and dump". Even with pumping...my supply became lower and lower. By the time I left the hospital I wasn't producing squat. While I was pumping and dumping she was getting formula, and it was no surprise that when I got home she would not latch at all. So I just continued to formula feed her. It's a good thing she didn't latch though, the pills they were having me take were not good for breastfeeding at all! My nurse was shocked when she seen what antiobiotics they were and that I had been OK'd to breastfeed.

I am happy to see so many supportive comments.

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