Formula feeding.

I BF my first for a week then swapped to formula as it was really taking a toll on my mental health. This time round I've just gone straight to formula, baby is thriving and Im finding it so much more manageable. Sometimes what's best for mum is what's best for baby. Please don't feel guilty, it's amazing that you gave them a week of breast milk ❤️

@Kirsten thank you ❤️ I managed 8 weeks with my first pumping and mentally it was hell and absolutely exhausting physically. I know they need a functioning happy mum over anything else but the guilt is still there

I am formula feeding from get go and expressing when can during the day so my baby girl gets some of my breast milk, maybe 2-3 feeds a day. Honestly sometimes I haven’t got time to express so I am happy with my choice to formula feed.

I’m currently breastfeeding and formula feeding, more formula than breast. Don’t feel guilty, you do what works best for you momma!

I’m triple feeding at the moment because my little one (now 6 weeks) was low birthweight and they put her onto formula really quickly at the hospital. So now I try and breast feed when she will latch (we’re still learning), top up with expressed breast milk if I have it, then top up with formula, and then pump 8 times a day and in the night. It’s exhausting and I feel so overwhelmed but really want to breast feed her 😩and feel so guilty at the thought of stopping (along with the hassle of making up formula - we currently used aptamil pre mixed). I’d welcome views on how it feels switching to formula incase I end up having to do this

@Louise owww bless you. I switched with my first born at 8 weeks. I was also overwhelmed with the sheer amount of pumping and it was constantly on my mind. Not to mention the dreaded sound of them every 3 hours!! I had a good supply so I managed to create a bit of a freezer stash so he could have about 4/5 oz a day for a month. That’s something I definitely found helpful in making me feel less guilt for stopping. I’m trying to do that now but it’s exhausting! I did feel so much freedom once I stopped and my boy really didn’t care what he was drinking either way. Sometimes we have to prioritise ourselves ❤️

Ah thanks for sharing, I don’t have a huge supply so I have enough to feed her maybe two feeds a day but not enough left over to stash really! She struggles to digest the formula as well so that’s another pressure.

I did 3wks of pumping and combo feeding that and formula. Now we are pretty much formula only and I admit I am missing the pumping and feeding her the expressed.

I fed our first for 14 months and managed 24 hours with our second. For the same reasons as you, it’s just so tough mentally and with a toddler looking at you crying and not mentally ok… it’s not fair on anyone. Baby knows you’re stressing trying to get them to latch etc, toddler doesn’t get the attention they need, you just end up suffering in the middle of it all. I do feel guilty too, but at the end of the day you need go do what’s best for you. Happy mummy = happy baby. The weight that I felt lifted when I decided to not continue was immense. Hope you’re ok xx

@Mollie this is exactly how I feel! For the past few days I’ve managed to freezer stash a few ounces for when they are sick and what not, but I’m already feeling so much better by limiting how much I pump! Thank you 🥰🥰

That’s brilliant. So glad you’re feeling a bit of a weight lifted x