Disappointment over not breast-feeding anymore...

Do any of you who HAD to mix feed have any anxiety or sadness about having to give your child formula?

Long story short, I breast-fed my daughter (born June 4) exclusively for the first two months of her lifeexcept for once or twice that her father gave her a bottle of BM. Then I introduced a bottle once a night because I was going back to work nights and I gave her a pacifier cause she was one of those babies that needed to suck ALL THE TIME to get to sleep and she was keeping me up till 2 a.m. every day. Anyway I started feeling like she wasn't getting enough and that her latch was off and then when she had her two-month checkup her weight was in the 25 percentile and her pedi suggested supplementing formula. I sort of felt relieved cause I knew she wasn't getting enough from my breast (she would always cry aftershe was finished and took forever to latch on and was always hungry) but now I feel so disappointed in myself.

Let me say that I'm a huge perfectionist and had lauded myself for breast-feeding since I wasn't able to have a natural childbirth due to complications and the fact that my mom exclusively breast-fed me till I was a year old. So now I feel extremely jealous of women who are able to do it and even tear up when I see women doing it in public or on shows likes "A Baby Story." Now I pump 3-4 times a day and give her formula between bottles of breastmilk... Just wanted to share and get some feedback.... Thanks. And yes I know that at the end of the day it's about her getting nutrition...

I didn't make enough milk and my son let me know about it and so i HAD to mix feed and i didn't have any anxiety or stress about it, all thats important is that he was getting the nutrition he needed.

I didn't even try and nurse my daughter, becuause i knew i didnt make enough milk for alex i wasn't about to go through the hassle with aayla, and shes been a happy bottlefed baby from day one.

I hope you dont feel too down on yourself, just remember that your doing whats right and best for your family and your baby.

Thanks. I keep trying to remember that it's about her health. She gained a pound in the two weeks that I supplemented and I feel a sense of relief that she's getting fed and satisfied. I guess it's just that my mom made such a big deal about me bfing and I really thought I'd be able to do it.

I breasfed for 4 months and went back to work part time, so my milk dried up.   I too felt very guilty and actually missed breastfeeding! Atlease you are still pumping and she is getting benefit. As she gets big, you will still feel proud either way!

Quoting Mark&Enjoli:“ Thanks. I keep trying to remember that it's about her health. She gained a pound in the two weeks that ... [snip!] ... fed and satisfied. I guess it's just that my mom made such a big deal about me bfing and I really thought I'd be able to do it.”

Dont let anyone feel bad about your decision, its obvious with what you said that your daughter is doing great with breast milk and supplimenting formula, shes getting the best of both, be proud for that,and that you are able to do that for her!

Thanks both of you ladies. I think I too miss bfingand the closeness but you're both right about her thriving and getting bigger. I think it gets to me sometimes...

Enjoli, I'm so sorry you're feeling this way. It's hard when there is outside pressure to do things such as breastfeeding. When things don't work out as you planned, we automatically blame ourselves. We're women...thats what we do. I too am a perfectionist, and had similar feelings after having to have a C-Section,so I know what you're feeling! Keep your chin up and try to remember that even though it's not exactly as you planned it, it's what is best. And whats good for the goose is good for the gander!! If you need to talk, you know how to find me! xoxo to You and Diem!