Where are formula feeding mammas at

I swapped with dd1 about a week in and was the best thing I ever did. I was going rapidly down hill mood wise and it really helped. Dd1 just would not latch on and it was awful. I didn't even try with dd2. Fed is best op 👌🏻

I remember bringing my baby home from hospital. She'd cried while we were there trying to establish breast feeding, she cried when we got home, I was so tired, she wouldn't sleep, she just screamed. I gave her the emergency formula we had got just in case and voila, sweet relief.

After that I tortured myself trying to combi feed for a few weeks, doing bottles but also pumping so the worst of both worlds. I remember posting on here desperately trying to justify why I was considering throwing in the towel. I just needed someone to tell me it was ok and I hadn't failed my baby (by this point she'd had a good 2 weeks of breast milk alongside formula). I was so relieved when some random MNer told me it was ok and I'd done a good job.

Never looked back. She thrived. I slept. We were both so much happier.

Ps I also exclusively pumped (topped up with formula) for 6 months and it was hard work and I missed out on a lot being chained to the breast pump. There's not a chance I could have done that with a toddler to look after too

If you're still expressing I recommend putting some in the freezer to save for when baby has an illness

Absolutely nothing wrong with switching to formula!

I expressed for my premature twins for 2 months and it just about broke me. I hated it from the first day to the last but felt I had no other option because they couldn't have formula so would have been given donated breastmilk. People don't realise how relentless and time consuming it is on top of everything else. They were still less than 5lbs and over a month from their due date when I decided to throw in the towel. The hospital weaned them onto formula and they were totally fine. They're 5 now and very healthy. I also have 2 other children who have only ever had formula and I don't feel the slightest bit of guilt about it. The mental health and wellbeing of a Mother is more important 😊

I was unable to breastfeed and DD had formula - she’s no a happy, healthy, bright 4 year old. At the time I felt guilty as sin about it; with hindsight that was a ridiculous reaction.

I breastfed and pumped for about 8 weeks, every feed sucked the life from my whole body, awful feeling. Never would I try again. Formula was the best thing I done.

Absolutely what pp have said. What matters is loving and feeding your baby however you choose. Do what makes you comfortable & happy and your baby will thrive from having a happy mummy. Enjoy.

I never breastfeed but wanted to. Sounds good what you have decided.

Absolutely nothing to worry about - it’s said to death but it’s so true, a fed baby is what matters ♥️ don’t give it another moments thought, enjoy your baby!

I quit at 7 weeks due to low milk supply. Although at the time I was very sad for do so (it was like grieving), with hindsight I am so glad I did. Breastfeesing was a heartbreaking struggle. I hated seeing my baby so frustrated.

Once I accepted and started to bottle feed, I was able to relax and focus on bonding with her and it did wonders for our bond. She is almost 10 months now and one of the smiley, lively and content babies you could meet.

Hats off the breastfeeding mothers, it's hard and worthwhile when it works. But I feel no shame, this has worked well for us 🙂

I was roughly the same. Express fed first for five long months. Breastfed second for about three. No regrets at all - if anything I question my decision to express feed for five months. It was as many hours as a full time job!!!

You have to do what works for your circumstances

I have 5. Two were fully bottle fed. One fully breastfed and two mix fed. Each decision made down to the baby, my health and circumstances at the time and I was happy every time.

if you’re already feeling better about life then it’s the right decision for you!

100% the best thing I did for both of us was to stop the feeding/pumping and go fully to formula.

I didn't breastfeed my 23 month old. She's a healthy happy toddler who rarely gets sick and we have an amazing bond. No regrets over my choice.

Formula fed all three of mine due to various unforeseen circumstances. It wasn’t my initial plan, they are very healthy and thriving. Eldest at almost 15 has plans to go for Oxford to do law and French, middle wants to be either a make up artist or stay at home mum, she’s not sure yet, smallest is feral but bright as a button.

Absolutely, it's more than okay! Sounds like you've done amazing and are continuing to be an amazing mum by recognising switching to formula is what's right for you and your family. I breastfed for a few weeks and then when I became poorly switched; i was very unkind to myself for a long time about it, but now on reflection realise no need at all, it's brilliant!

I never intended to BF either of my 2 and stuck to that.
It worked well for us all as a family and I have no regrets.
I didn't get any support to work it all out though, I had to do that myself and I helped my SIL when she was in a similar situation to you

I have to say when they happily took bottles
at 12 months I felt so relieved and like a weight had been lifted as I didn’t really enjoy bf after 6/7 months

I bf both my dc till 12 months then started combi feeding 12-14 months then gave up bf totally (they both had formula till 18 months)

breastfed 3 of mine but never lasted past 3 weeks… hats off to you as i just didn’t seem to b able to fill mine up and when i expressed ….it was no wonder it never filled the poor things up🤣 never even bothered with my 4th and did bottle feeding with formula straight away… mine are all grown up now healthy and strong so don’t be put off with thinking u are causing any detriment to baby… you do what you need to do …. a mothers instinct is always the right thing to do…

I breastfed my DS for about 10 miserable days … supplementing with formula anyway as his latch was so poor he wasn’t getting enough. I was so much happier after giving up and so was he.

I pumped duty my first until 8 weeks as he was premature. Cause blockage and infections. Second time round I went straight to formula and I'm so happy he's 12 weeks now and doing great! I never wanted to breastfeed.

I formula fed from birth, never regretted it for a second. You have to do what's right for you in order for both of you to be happy and healthy

I stopped after 5 days. Didn't even occur to me to pump. Straight onto formula and the best decision I made for sure. DS - who is now 5 - is disgustingly healthy. His idea of a cold is to sneeze a couple of times before bed and that's it.