For those formula feeding, stop feeling guilty

This is just a message to anyone who might come across this post to stop feeling bad for formula feeding.

I found out I was pregnant in April and ever since I panicked about how I was going to feed this child. I was never crazy about wanting children, and I knew from day 1 that I didn’t want to breastfeed. And for a multitude of reasons that I became so tired of having to tell people. It started to feel like a severe invasion of privacy anytime someone asked how I am going to feed my baby. I have developed severe anxiety and am now seeing a therapist for PPD and PPA, of which are due to my whole experience (complications, traumatic birth, etc) and I do attribute some of it also to a lot of the judgement and shaming I received while pregnant when I said I was not breastfeeding.

I was hospitalized due to Pre-E and had my baby at 34 weeks. She was in the NICU and given Neosure from the start. I can’t explain the guilt I felt because “breast is best” is so thoughtlessly shoved down our throats.

But my little girl graduated the NICU after only 12 days and after coming home put on nearly half a pound in just days. She saw her Dr earlier this week and she said she is thriving. Now it’s not 100 percent due to her formula, but it’s certainly a factor in getting her weight up and helping her grow.

So, while I am still suffering from the entire experience, I have found some relief in seeing her do well and get stronger everyday.

Please don’t feel guilty, and don’t let others make you feel like a bad parent. Because your baby will thrive not because of what they are eating, but because they have love. Because they have storytime, and they have lots of cuddles, and whatever else you do for them. All of that is what makes a strong, healthy smart child.

Don’t end up like me and having countless days of your pregnancy and postpartum days be burdened by the guilt of making a choice to formula feed. I spent too many hours searching online for some comfort and to ease my mind, because I have lost sleep due to I’ve being made to feel like a failure for making a choice.

If it’s what is best for you, then do it. Your baby cannot be healthy if you aren’t. My husband and I share the feeding and we both benefit and can get some sleep.

I hope this helps anyone that is struggling. I have nothing against breastfeeding for anyone, I am all for it for those that are prepared to mentally and physically do it. But for those that either can’t or simply chose not to, just know that it is OK.