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August 2014 Moms
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Feeling bummed (just venting)

Erika101076Erika101076 member
in August 2014 Moms
so this isn't really that big of a deal but I'm still bummed about it. My LO came out 8.6 on 8/9 and is now 12.10... Although this isn't horrible, it's still not great and it's taken all my energy and time to get him there with nursing, pumping and being completely dairy free SO we decided to help with his weight by adding formula to his regimine.

I will nurse and pump like normal but am adding 2 ounces at the end of every nursing episode. I'm relieved to have that extra help to help him gain better but still feel like I did something wrong because I can't stick to 100% BF (not to say that's what I think about others who formula feed)

I feel guilty also becuase I'm a bit relieved he's not solely dependent on me...

So many mixed emotions right now... Ugh....end of rant
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Re: Feeling bummed (just venting)

  • jamjoyfuljamjoyful member
    Do not feel guilty at all! If formula can relieve some stress then it is a good thing! Plus, I think formula is a perfectly fine option. I formula-fed DD1 after the first 3 months. Don't be hard on yourself! You are doing great!
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  • amj1053amj1053 member
    Please don't feel guilty! You are doing what you have to do in order to make sure your baby is healthy and growing. That's all that matters!

    I chose to give up BF after suffering from severe anxiety and a severe case of mastitis. I still have moments of guilt but I just remind myself that it was the best choice for both LO and myself!

    Try not to be so hard on yourself! :)
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  • MandMLeonaMandMLeona member
    (hugs) it's hard to set a goal and not completely reach it (EBF).  Try to look at it as re-evaluating.  The goal needs to be happy, healthy family.  (And it's ok, to be relieved to have help - whether from formula or whatever.  Try not to feel guilty about being strong enough to make the right decisions for your family.
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  • lynds002lynds002 member
    There is nothing wrong with supplementating. At all!! Your baby it's still getting your antibodies and the formula is providing all the nutrients and calories. I recently read that many of the stats for ebf vs. formula fail to control for socio-economic factors, which can lead to skewed results, since those in the middle and upper classes ebf more than those in the lower class.
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  • haliebabyx3haliebabyx3 member
    Don't feel guilty! I had to end up doing that with my LO because I got put back into the hospital. We went almost 15 hours without pumping or him taking my breast because I was in the ER then went into surgery. After that I had to pump and dump for a few days from the meds, as I was doing that i could tell my supply had crashed. Only one side was producing and with H back to work and his type of schedule it was just easier to formula feed and to get his help. I hated it and felt so guilty, especially of how easily i gave up. I finally had to come to terms with it. Don't feel guilty at all, if it's a lot of stress this will help you out! 
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  • *Merry**Merry* member
    edited December 2014
    If supplementing relieves some stress that may actually help your supply! No matter what you are doing great. DD1 was 8.5 at birth and barely 16lbs at 1yr. Dr was never concerned as long as she was following her own curve (was always in the less the 3 percentile), had to go for a few extra weight checks but that was it. Every baby us different
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  • rstarrlemaitrerstarrlemaitre member
    Big hugs!! I can understand completely, as I also have a little peanut and low-ish supply, and have recently been thinking about adding 1 bottle of formula a day. You've done an amazing job so far doing all you can for your little one, and shouldn't feel one ounce of guilt
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  • workmm01workmm01 member
    I understand. DS went from 80% down to being in the 50%. I try to keep up but we occasionally use formula. I don't stress as much about it now.
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  • Erika101076Erika101076 member
    Thank you ladies. Although I appreciate the support from my husband it's always nice to have extra reassure and support from other Mom's who genuinely understand!
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  • JadaBlueJadaBlue member
    My LO fell from the 50th to the 3rd percentile while EBF. Once we started appropriately supplementing with formula she began gaining almost immediately and is now a little chunk. When I felt guilt about her not being EBF I reminded myself of how important it was she was (finally!) getting the calories she needed.
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  • becominggoldbecominggold member
    Don't feel bad at all! My pumping is a little up and down and we may at some point have to supplement for one of the daycare bottles. DH is always good to remind me it would not be the end of the world and stressing will make it worse. You are still giving your LO all the benefits! Hang in there :)
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  • seamonkey0814seamonkey0814 member
    I feel your guilt, I've had to supplement LO since he was 4 days old and got very dehydrated after coming home from the hospital due to my milk not coming in. I felt TERRIBLE for not being able to provide for my baby. I've only recently really come to peace with supplementing and it's because I see the benefits in LO's growth. His weight dropped big time after birth, then roller coastered up and down until we got a BF and supplementing routine worked out. Then he climbed to the 50th percentile and has stayed on that track ever since.

    I really hope the formula helps your LO and that seeing him/her healthy helps you feel better about your decision.

    As a side note, I would highly recommend looking into supplementing at the breast instead of from a bottle. This involves getting LO to suck formula through a feeding tube while breast feeding. This gives the supplement needed but still stimulates your body to produce more milk. My LO started drinking 10-12 oz of formula a day but my lactation consultant promised that he would only take as much as needed and would wean himself naturally if I managed to increase my milk supply. Sure enough, two months later he now only takes about 4 oz total every day and is still growing strong. Point is, don't give up on BF, this might just be a short term set back. Best of luck!
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  • klauke_t13klauke_t13 member
    I totally understand how you feel. We have been supplementing for almost 3 months and there are times that I still feel guilty and sad. But then my little man gives me a really big smile after a bottle and that is really all that matters. Hugs momma! Your baby will love you either way!
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