Hello ladies 💃 especially my pregnant sisters I feel compelled to share my experiences just to help some moms who are still deciding on epi vs natural or boob v formula. A little background I was an 18 year old single mom when I had my first at a very nice private hospital in California I had the epidural which was nice no pain but the labour was very slow 15 hrs and I needed stitches and the recovery was sore and tiring about 3 days of sluggishness not horrible but not great. I was encouraged by my family to formula feed and was even supplied formula by the hospital it was convenient as I was working and going to school so my mom and siblings could also feed baby. Formula worked well for my situation however formula makes the throw up and poppy diapers smell a lot worse and a lot more work with bottles. Fast forward to present day age 25 married to an Aussie I went to a free public hospital here in Melbourne and planned on an epidural but baby came pretty quick so I just had a hot bath in the hospital the pain was extreme the contractions were the worst pain ever but only 2 hours a heat pack really helped and so did the bath. The big relief was when I pushed her out. The birth was actually very easy and all the pain was gone as soon as she came out. I recovered instantly no tearing no stitches. I felt amazing the instant she was born. I was undecided about feeding but they strongly encourage breastfeeding so I tried and she instantly latched. I fed her she fell asleep just perfect so about 20 mins after birth I got up and had a nice long shower. I didn't need any pain killers not even Tylenol. I actually love breastfeeding at this point. Day 3 however I got blisters on my nipples so they were a little sore and dry I used lanisoh and they healed nicely it pinched a little when she first latched on but nothing too bad the midwives all helped to check the latch and you can't be too shy they grab your nipple make it pointy and shove baby on there and if she's not on proper they stick their pinkies in your babies mouth on your nipple to delatch I must have had 10 midwives at some point touch my boobs lol. Fast forward to today baby girl is 8 days old and I LOVE breastfeeding she only cries if she is hungry or has a dirty diaper and sleeps 4 hours at a time. Moral of the story you might surprise yourself and if I hadn't been forced to have a natural birth I would have had an epidural and been none the wiser to how much better the recovery with natural is. I was up walking around within such a short time I had so much energy I even painted my long lost toes in hospital. And like my first daughter and all the women in my family who formula fed I fully intended to formula feed it just seemed more convenient less creepy and I was worried about my breasts sagging and going back to work shortly. However with the encouragement of the midwives and friends here (majority of Australians breastfeed and formula is not encouraged by hospitals or offered) I half heartily tried breastfeeding fully intending on eventually going to formula ...and I'm so thankful that I did. It has been so much easier than formula! My babies poops and spit ups don't smell I don't have to worry about sterilising etc. Take it from a mom who has done both if you can at least try natural no drugs and try breastfeeding your body and your baby will thank you. But also if you can't do either or you choose not too a for whatever personal reason it's ok too. My eldest is 7 happy healthy and formula feeding worked for our situation at the time. Being a mom rocks and as long as you try your best and give it your all you're winning in my book. Cheers to us superstar moms!!! Photo of my two girls as you can see the formula with my oldest Keilani 7 years ago on the top and her grown up on the bottom left and our new bundle of joy Kaia bottom right 👭👶