Failing?

Question

I’m going to be honest it could be cause I’m sleep deprived, but am I failing as a mom if I am exclusively pumping due to having a blister on my nipple that has since healed? 
I just did some research I see if pumping and breastfeeding benefits are very similar and basically found every article telling me that I am failing if I just give expressed milk. Of course, now I’m freaking out and don’t know what to think anymore.

Answer

You would be failing if you chose not to feed the baby at all, or weren't thinking about baby's needs. You, mama, are not failing.

Answer

No, you are being amazing. Pumping is so fcking hard and tedious and you are sticking with it which is incredible. Give yourself more credit, you deserve it!

Answer

My second daughter had a low birth weight, wasn’t gaining, and was jaundice so I exclusively pumped in the beginning and throughout her infancy. Pumping and giving expressed milk doesn’t mean you’re failing nor does giving your baby formula failing. Whatever you do is okay, mama.

Answer

I think I’m kicking butt at being a mom and I exclusively pump!!!! My son was born 5 weeks early and The doctors said he was using to many calories trying to express milk from my boob so I could either pump or do formula. I chose to pump so that he still got my milk and I considered it a win! Exclusively pumping is harder than normal breastfeeding and takes a lot more work! I actually find it very offensive when people tell me “so you’re not ‘really’ breastfeeding?” My response no joke is “ what I’m doing is much harder and is a bigger commitment then ‘really breastfeeding’ but since my son drinks only breast milk I am really breastfeeding”. YOU ARE NOT FAILING! You’re being a rock star and doing what needs to be done!

Answer

I physically cannot latch a baby. My anatomy prevents it no matter how hard I tried with my first baby. I exclusively pump for my 2nd. You telling me I'm failing too? I don't think so. I'm providing breastmilk to my child in the only way I can. You could either breastfeed from the blister free side and pump the other until it heals. Or you can pump exclusively. Or you can just use formula.. whatever choice you make, your baby will be fed. That's what matters.

Answer

Not failing. Breastfeeding is hard whether you latch your baby or pump only. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others 😊 you’re doing great momma!

Answer

You will find an article for everything being good or bad. Your baby is being fed, your body is supplying what the little one needs, & there is always someone out there who feels superior enough to declare one way the best way. Truth is there is no one way. Each mother & baby is different with different needs & circumstances. You are not failing... you are a MOM!

Answer

You’re not failing. When did the blister heal? Perhaps it needs more time to heal. Your baby is still getting the benefits of breastmilk, and you can always try putting baby to breast again down the road.

Answer

I went to click on the post and accidentally clicked 'yes you are' which I totally didn't mean!!! Of course you are not failing!! It doesn't matter how you feed as long as baby is getting fed! I ended up formula feeding my first for a few different reasons and it was 100% better than breastfeeding for us because in the end I was a better mom to him!! I hate how people think feeding a certain was is better because it isn't. For example long story short I baby sat for my aunt and uncle when my aunt went back to when at 3 months postpartum she says baby refused a bottle I think she didn't want to introduce a bottle for selfish reasons anywho she dropped off the baby to me without me knowing this and she starved her 3 month old for about 6 hours and I was furious.. she acts better than everyone because she worked and fed her baby only breastmilk for her first year but for months this baby got starved for hours cause she didn't get her baby on a bottle even though she knew she would be returning to work... anyways sorry that was so much longer than I meant but no of course you aren't failing!! You're doing great!! Fed is best! No matter what!

Answer

The 4% of people who voted yes can go jump off a bridge. You just said you have blisters on your nipples and are still willing to stick them in a suction machine to give your baby the best food he can get. You’re doing great and don’t for a second feel like you’re failing.

Failing?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey