formula - why did you use formula instead of breastfeeding?
looking to hear from mothers who DIDN'T breastfeed, please.
I should start by clarifying I have 0 judgment for either answer and am actually looking for some reassurance myself lol. I'm having a baby soon and honestly the more I learn about breastfeeding the more I don't want to do it. it just looks so constant and so exhausting and your partner can't help take the load at all unless you add pumping which is a whole other set of difficulties. I'm kind of tired of my body not belonging to me, I've had a hard enough pregnancy, and I'm just so scared of feeling chained to my baby as a food source instead of wanting to be with them and being able to bond. I also feel immensely guilty that I'm starting to feel this way, and like I almost need to go through the suffering of trying to breastfeed and physically not being able to in order to 'earn' the freedom of using formula.
Are there mothers out there who chose to formula feed not because they couldn't breastfeed but just because they didn't want to breastfeed? I feel like not wanting to isn't a good enough reason because 'breast is best' and I know all that but I just don't feel like I can face having to do it so often and at all hours without help. every mitigating idea I've had like formula as a base but with 2-3 breastfeeds a day everyone just says "oh that won't work it'll tank your supply and your baby won't get any breast milk at all." ok, I don't want to do it then! but I feel like an awful mother already...
really not looking for mothers judging each other in the comments please! I would really like to hear people's stories (and be set straight myself if I am being selfish) so please let them share.
Does anyone really know they’re done?
Anyone have a burning desire for another and not do it? Does it get better? Do you accept it? Do you regret it? It’s probably not going to happen for me for multiple reasons. My husband is 40 and doesn’t want more, don’t blame him (but I’m only 34). I’m 15 months postpartum and had two 15 months apart. My cycles are regular, but I have a luteal phase defect now, so unless I supplement progesterone, there’s no letting Jesus take the wheel and if it happens it happens. I feel like I’m grieving. I would love to have one more, but I don’t think it’s in the cards for me. How do I accept this?