Formula feeding- is it really that bad?

Question

For lots of personal reasons, I am considering doing formula feeding. If I'm able to, I want to try to do breastfeeding for the first month or so and then transition to formula. I know breast is best, and it seems like there really is a lot of pressure on mommies to breast feed, but I wanted to see if there is anyone else out there who has had experience with formula. I know this is a highly debatable topic, but just to kind of open a can of worms and see some opinions!

Answer

A fed baby is a happy baby it doesn't matter as long as you make the best decision for your family. Don't let anyone make you feel bad because you don't want to breastfeed.

Answer

I breastfed with supplementing for 3 months. My girl had a bad lip tie and tongue tie that was undiagnosed for 8 weeks! Poor baby just couldn't transfer the milk. I saw lactation consultants, doctors, tried different pumps, nipped shields, etc. 
By that time her lip and tongue tie were corrected, my supply went down to almost nothing. After spending weeks taking time away from my baby by trying to pump every two hours, I gave up. I just never responded well to the pump. I spent another month putting her to my breast, but it was obviously causing her stress and nonstop crying. She preferred the bottle..

She was born 8lb 10oz, but got down to almost 7lbs and was dehydrated. It was very scary! My milk also did not come in until 11PM, FIVE DAYS after she was born. I've read research that depriving your child of nutrients the first few days could even lead to behavior problems. This will not happen with the next baby. I'd much rather supplement than starve my baby!

I had a ton of support and encouragement. I was really motivated to breastfeed. When it didnt work out, I really beat myself up about not being able to breastfeed (even had ppd). However, my 11 month old formula fed baby is happy, healthy, and full! She loves holding her own bottle. As a bonus, it also really helped me get some sleep when other people were able to feed her in those early months.

FED baby is the best. My baby is happy and healthy. She hasn't had anything more than a few sniffles. She's also very observant and is meeting all her milestones.
You'll hear some mean girls tell you that "all women can breastfeed" and pass all sorts of judgement (I broke down and cried in IHOP when our server made a smartass comment about me giving my baby formula). You have to learn to ignore them. Not all women can breastfeed. Women who tell you otherwise are ignorant and not in touch with reality.

You are the mom. You know what is best for you and your baby. You are a great mom no matter your choice!

Answer

Breastfeeding is better, but obviously that's not an option for everyone. There's nothing wrong with formula feeding. My mom didn't produce enough milk, so she always did a mix of both breast and formula

Answer

Breastmilk is amazing and great but it isn't the most important thing. Having a loving, bonding relationship with their mother is way more important. Formula is perfectly fine for the nutritional needs of the baby. My daughter has a rare condition where she cannot eat fat so she wasn't allowed to breastfeed. She has lived and continues to live off a formula through a feeding tube. It has saved her life. Fed is best momma. As long as you are holding and loving and snuggling that baby while feeding, it doesn't matter!!

Answer

I had one formula baby and one breast milk baby. They are 9 years and 6 years old now and both are healthy, happy, and smart! I chose to formula feed my oldest from the very start just because I wanted to and nothing more. My second was breast fed because I wanted the experience, which was cool. This one I think I will breast feed until I feel overwhelmed by it (it can get overwhelming because the baby NEEDS you specifically so it's hard for others to help). No shame at all and nothing anyone could ever say to me will make me feel like I didn't do a good job either way. Stick with what feels best for YOU!

Answer

My best friend did formula with both of her kids because she didn't want to breastfeed honestly. She is pregnant with her third and she will be doing the same thing. The reason she is doing formula so her husband can feed the baby as well and wake up with the baby at night time so she can get some sleep. Honestly I'm going to breastfeed my baby but everyone can do there own thing. It's your child and your choice and who am I to judge that.

Answer

I am fully feeding formula mom here yes I know the benefits of Breast feeding... but just cause you formula feed doesn't mean you have less of a bound with your baby. I have a 9year old (she's perfectly healthy straight A student) and a 9 month old she's also perfectly healthy and hitting all milestones ahead of time. You do what's best for you and your baby no one can tell you what's best. And there will be a lot of different opinions but at the end of the day what you think and do is totally up to you! You'll be a great mommy either way!!

Answer

I couldn't nurse my first and she did formula and is smart happy healthy. Nursed my second, he's smart happy healthy. You have to do what's best for you!! People are good bf to have A LOT of opinions, but in the end it's you and your baby. Nursing was just always so convenient, that was the biggest difference for me. It's right there, right temp, ready to go. No bottles to wash, scrubbers, etc. I could talk for an hr about it haha. Just talk to close friends who have an open mind about both!

Answer

I wasn't able to breastfeed my son due to not producing enough and he had a huge problem latching so I gave him breast milk for about a week with formula and then switched to formula only. He's a happy and healthy 9 month old (almost 10 months). He's been sick maybe 3 times with a cold and got over them quickly. He hits all his milestones on time or sooner and is currently trying to learn to walk. 
It doesn't matter what you choose do what's best for you and your family

Answer

Fed is best hon. I tried after my first 3 pregnancies. I gave up with in the first six weeks with the first two and the last one I had a mastitis that was so big and solid that it had to be surgically removed. I was on dilaudid which meant I couldn't feed or pump and I certainly couldn't use my left side because there was a hole two fingers wide and a finger deep. I'm determined to at least get to six months with this one but if I don't it's ok. Once baby gets here you'll figure out what works best for you. Breast feeding is by no means easy and there will come a point during a late night feeding that you'll think just doing formula will be easier, do it if it feels right to you.

Formula feeding- is it really that bad?

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