Guilt about formula feeding
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@Laura oh I’m sorry to hear that for you. My rational brain knows that my baby is fed and happy but my post partum hormonal chaos brain tells me differently. I think it’s just expected that everyone breast feeds and it puts the pressure on a little
Its historical societal expectation put on new mums and we then put the pressure on ourselves, realistically noone cares other than you... you've got a lifetime of mum guilt for loads of different things ahead of you, give yourself a break! If you're not sure about amounts of formula ask a midwife. You're doing a great job xx
Fed is 100% best. You’ve done nothing but prioritise your family - if you’re not in a good place you’ll not be in a good place to look after your baby. If it’s only been a week I’d speak with your midwife. You might still be able to breastfeed. It’s worth a conversation and see what your options are xx
As someone struggling with combi feeding at the moment - I feel you. Breastfeeding comes so easy to some people but don’t beat yourself up. I know people who’ve exclusively BF, exclusively formula fed and those doing a combi. I feel like a failure every time I give her a bottle and my boobs “aren’t enough” but she’s fed and happy and putting on weight so that’s what’s best. Your mental health is far more important, this newborn journey is hard enough without further pressure on us.
I can’t even breastfeed due to surgeries I had in the past but even if I could I wouldn’t feel bad! Don’t worry your baby is being fed if it’s your milk or not don’t worry 😘
Fed is best. The society at the moment judges people who do not breastfeed which I find ridiculous. I tried breastfeeding and my LO didn't want to latch correctly. I felt down and sad at first so I'm now pumping exclusively and combi feeding formula at night. I've got to the terms of not being able to breastfeed and now realise fed is best and do what is best for you and you're family! Mental health is more important than putting pressure on yourself wondering if you should breastfeed or not. It's personally up to you if you want to try it, you can always combi, try switching 1 formula feed to an breastfeeding session and go from there
You're not a terrible mother- I've put loads of pressure on myself to breastfeed and I've now ended up under perinatal mental health as a result of the emotional stress it has caused, you need to be well for your baby to be well first and foremost. If formula feeding helps with that then that's what's best for your little one too ❤️. X