Greif for deciding formula

Sdufort1216 · May 2014

Baby is one week old and I have been bfing . have had a headache . neasea and heart palps since I started . day before yesterday I had to go to Er because of the palps and they said I am dehydrated and anemic. I've always had a past of fainting from dehydration so I made sure since I'm bfing to drink triple what I should so i have been and if I drank more I'd drown in it! idk HOW i can be dehydrated . do I decided I will try a little longer to bf and may switch to formula so I can be in 100 % good health to care for my little man. I feel that I should be in the best state possible rather then cont to bf especially is I'm out in the summer heat and I get a dizzy spel! does this sound unreasonable because I'm getting a lot of Greif about it the only person really agreeing with my is my mom and when I told dr this morning he seemed upset over it! what gives !

Crazijewel · May 2014

Your baby is one week old- this will be the hardest part. Obviously, it's your choice, but if you are hesitant just know this is the worst time for bf'ing. Don't get me wrong, it is HARD! With my first and again my 2nd I have thought about formula for many many reasons, but I personally can't give up. So if you have any doubt, please keep bf'ing- it does get better. Get some drinks with vitamins and keep drinking. Good luck

usernewname · May 2014

Do what you feel is right. Screw what everyone else thinks. You need to be healthy for baby, so if that means formula, then it means formula.

I can sympathize with the water intake. I've had a headache since week 1 (DS is almost 3 weeks) and I've had to up my water intake greatly (and it was already a lot) just to avoid the headache. I don't know how I was dehydrated, and I didn't realize how much your body needs for BF.

SurprisePartySue · May 2014

It was the hardest decision I think I've ever made. We had a lot of obstacles but latching was our main trouble. Once I decided I couldn't bf and went to formula I cried the entire night. I felt like I was a quitter and gave up on my child. The next morning I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. LO was less upset, she and I both slept better, and I felt like for the first time I was suitable to be a mother. It helped me be less stressed and more in tune to her.

That being said the first week or so on formula was hard. LO has acid reflux and was having horrible gas pains and constipation. We tried several different formulas. We are going on week 2 of the Enfamil Nutramigen and she is doing great.

usernewname · May 2014

The general consensus too is don't quit on a hard day. As pp said - it does get better! Just some things to figure out along the way, but it does

usernewname · May 2014

jkanter107 said:

The general consensus too is don't quit on a hard day. As pp said - it does get better! Just some things to figure out along the way, but it does
This! There is no shame in choosing formula, whatever you feel is best, but don't give up on a hard day. I've almost quit a dozen times now & after about a month I'm finally starting to feel like BF may work out. Good luck!

There have been some days where I am like I'm done - can't do it, go downstairs and get the formula I have stashed. Or grab the paci - I'm tapping out. But usually whatever is happening (e.g. growth spurt, comfort nursing, lack of sleep) passes and the next day or week is better. DS is 3 weeks and I feel more comfortable with BF. However, I am still clueless as to when my breast is empty.

jenb_99 · May 2014

How and what to feed your baby is one of the hardest decisions you'll ever make, but it is YOUR decision. Neither option is wrong. If your baby is healthy and full and growing, you've made the right choice. And don't forget about your own health - physical, mental, and emotional.

My biggest regret with DS is that I allowed other people to pressure me into making a decision I wasn't emotionally prepared to make, and that actually wasn't physically necessary.

Also keep in mind that you can always switch from breast milk to formula, but once LO is on formula, it's difficult (and actually impossible past a certain point) to go back to the breast.

ama7165 · May 2014

Remember it does not have to be all or nothing. I EP due to poor latch and prematurity and its hard and now I have supply issues...I therefore supplement with formula and it was a hard decision and people will judge. You have to do what's right for you. At my prenatal breastfeeding class they said give it at least two weeks before you decide to quit. Good luck with your decision.

artroyer · May 2014

I had a TON of guilt when I changed to formula with my first. Most of it was internally driven though, because of the pressure I felt to continue even though I could only produce 6oz a DAY. Honestly, it was the BEST decision I made because I had my sanity back and everyone was so much happier. It was the best decision for my family. This time I'll try again, but I'm definitely not willing to sacrifice like I did the first time. It's not healthy.

Sdufort1216 · May 2014

thanks for the advice everyone . I'll give it some more time but will go to formula if need be.

cnbean · May 2014

I wouldn't ask for anyone's opinion on this unless you are ok hearing that you are making a wrong choice. IMO this is one of those situations where there is no wrong choice. Either way your baby will be fed and healthy. I had a really hard time giving up my dream of BF with my first, but once we switched I knew I had made the right choice. My only regret about FF is that we didn't switch sooner! Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

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