Formula feeding

[Guiltymum234]

Baby was born with a tongue tie and ended up in hospital at 3 days old with jaundice and weight loss. I knew I had to pump/express to ‘keep the window of opportunity open’ but I didn’t realise how much. My milk came in when Baby was 4 days old and I kept squeezing out bits of milk a couple of times a day to mane sure I didn’t dry up. 3 days later a midwife said I should be pumping 8 times a day but I honestly still thought that as long as a bit was coming out, I could up the supply when baby had her tongue tie cut so I didn’t pump enough. I then realised that I should have started pumping straight away. Baby is now 5 months and I’m absolutely torturing myself with the guilt. Why did I not research breastfeeding beforehand? Why did I not pump when I was told too? Why am I so stupid? So sorry and no offence to anyone who chooses to formula feed. I think I just needed to vent 😞

Hi there

Breastfeeding is a dark art. I’m learning this as I am battling to do it. It’s like walking on a tightrope, every step needs to be correct but we are blindfolded and guessing what the steps need to be.
I think every woman needs one on one face to face ongoing breastfeeding support for the first month of baby’s life

Please don’t feel so full of blame. Contact Le Leche League on FB or Instagram and they will advise you, they’re really good.

Baby will be fully nourished with formula, don’t forget this xx

Thank you. I just wish I could turn back the clock now I know much more about how to make it work 😞

DD1 had 100% tongue tie, colic and was a big baby. I had an emergency section and was a state. I tried to solely breastfeed for 4 weeks and it was hell. I became depressed and paid privately for the tongue tie to be cut (the midwive said I have no idea how you've fed this baby) but by that point I had started to pump as my nipples were in agony and introduce forumla as I couldn't feed my baby enough and she was so unsettled due to colic. Trying to pump and formula was exhausting and at around 8 weeks I fully moved to formula and it was the best decision I ever made. I wish I hadn't battled so much to give the breast milk, I hated the first 8 weeks and struggled to bond with my baby. Once I introduced formula I was able to recover and be a better mother. My DD1 is now a bouncing, thriving, happy, independent, healthy, bright 2 year old smashing all her milestones (she still moans a lot though!).

With DD2 I took control of the situation and decided I would express breastmilk and feed her from the bottle from day 1. The midwives helped me extract the colostrum and 24 hours after birth I started pumping. Baby was totally content and so was I. At around 2 months off exclusively pumping which is hard work but far more manageable than my first experience, I started to introduce formula and by 3 months she was on formula exclusively.

Please don't feel guilty, your baby is getting all they need. As one of the posters mentioned breastfeeding is seriously tough and I genuinely don't believe we have enough support. I was discharged from the hospital after a 3 day labour and emergency c section after 24 hours with a baby with 100% tongue tie and no-one gave me any advice or support. Your baby is fed and happy. Don't beat yourself up x

Wow, @Lostmyway86 you really had a tough time