Mom shamed for formula feeding

Anyone else formula feed and feel like they are constantly being judged and shamed for it? I had full intentions to breast feed my son. In the hospital the nurses worked with me for two days and we could not get him to latch at all. It wasn’t until we were discharged that my family doctor noticed he had a significant tongue tie. We were referred to a dentist who successfully treated it when he was one week old. However, he still would not latch. I sought out help from a lactation consultant who instead of helping, made me feel awful about myself. She told me I wasn’t trying hard enough because I turned to pumping and giving my son a bottle. I had tried and tried to get him to latch and he would just get so frustrated to the point where he would scream and cry so much he got red in the face. He was sooo colicky and I tried the process of elimination to attempt to figure out what the cause of it was but nothing seemed to work! He began losing weight because I had a low supply and breast feeding and pumping were not going well. That is when I made the decision to give him formula. He took so well to it. He was no longer colicky, he was eating and gaining weight! We had a completely different baby! He was no longer fussy and very calm. Well when I told the lactation consultant that I was giving him formula she lost it on me! She said I was giving up too soon and it was (and I quote exactly what she said) “the lazy way out”. I have been judged by numerous people for giving my son formula! I just want him to be healthy and the first few weeks were absolutely horrible trying to breast feed! I truly did give it my best effort but it just did not work out for me. Myself as well as my husband were both formula fed as infants and I think we turned out just fine 🤷🏼‍♀️.

People talk about the stigma attached to breastfeeding in public, but no one talks about the judgement you receive for formula feeding. I truly believe as moms we just need to do what is best for our babies and ourselves! What works for one person may not work for another and that is okay! We need to be more encouraging towards one another because being a new mom is hard enough without people judging your every move!

In the end, we all want the same thing.. a healthy and happy child!