Turning Over to Formula

[Irish741]

Well ladies today marks the first day I have not pumped. Last Friday I officially decided to stop "breastfeeding" (I have been solely pumping for the last few weeks). Over the last 6 weeks my issues with breastfeeding have not resolved and I just can't take the stress of bottle feeding and pumping anymore. Due to the stress my supply dwindled from pumping an average of 5 oz every 3-4 hrs to barely pumping 3oz. I not only lost my supply and couldn't directly breast feed, I now had to supplement every feeding. It just got to be way too much for me. Even thru the problems, it was still a great struggle for me to make this decision but I think it is best for both me and Jack. Jim is supportive of this as well. I was becoming emotionally drained and Jack was definitely feeling the effects. Initially I felt that if I was to stop breastfeeding I was failing him in someway and it was really hard for me to come to terms with everything. In a great effort to do what I thought was the very best for him I was actually making things worse. I even got to the point I had to talk to a counselor about everything and she said that what I give him emotionally is way more important than what I put in his mouth (generally speaking of course) and it in no way made me any less of a mother to him. That did make me feel better. I think I already knew all of that I just needed someone to tell it to me. It is interesting how when I would find out someone wasn't breastfeeding I never for a second thought anything bad of that person. I always thought what they were doing was the best for them and their family but when it came time for me to make that same decision it was like the weight of the world was on my shoulders and I would be judged at every turn. However, now that I am fine with my decision it really isn't as bad as I thought. I feel more emotionally sound, a bit more freedom and we are having a better time together. I guess that is what is important. Maybe the next kid will be completely different so for now I have retired my pump (poor thing needs a break) and it will sit quietly in the closet till our next little one arrives. :)

btw - We are using the Infamil Gentlease brand. It is for the fussy and gassy babies (gee aren't they all. ;) ). It has been going pretty well. I can't tell if he is less fussy but I can say he is definitely less gassy. When the formula is mixed is actaully looks like breastmilk in the bottle. I guess formula has come a long way.  :)

[Irish741]

You said it. ;)

[ovaz129]

Sounds like everything we are all feeling is completely normal.  It is emotionally hard... but keeping sanity is important too.  We are both a lot happier now that we are formula feeding... the rough days are behind us now :)

[Irish741]

yeah, I don't know if I will ever not feel guilty about giving it up but sometimes I guess you need to realize when things just aren't going well and make a change. I had to make the change for my sanity and his well being. I was no good to him in the dilapitated emotional state I was in. I think it has worked out best for the two of us. I have to say I have felt much better this week talking to many people about stopping the breastfeeding and have actaully found more people that only fed for 3 months or so. So I am like you Jem and feel better hearing other people's stories. Just talking to you ladies on here makes a world of difference too. :)

[Jem75]

i am right there with you ladies - two weeks ago I started pumping and serving....not doing direct breast feeding. I could continue to do this - but in all honesty, I am SO over the big boobs, I just want to be done. I had to give up dairy a few weeks ago and although we have always supplemented, I am using more and more formula and praying for my milk to just dry up. But I do feel guilty - then I talk to people who are formula feeding and "quit" around 3 months and it makes me feel so much better.

I know I am a great mom and I love pouring all my love into this child, I was just feeling like the breast feeding is not one of my joys and like Ovaz, i prefer the efficiency of bottle feeding. I can be mobile. I just hope my boobs shrink down now and my supply dries up. I will pump for another two weeks I think....but trying to drop a pump session.

[ovaz129]

Oh wow... I am currently feeling this way!!!  I quite about 3 weeks ago and I am still feeling soooo guilty!  Everything you said (minus your let down issues) is pretty much what I went through with Leighton, and your feelings are exactly how I have been feeling.

I have to say... I find bottle feeding w/ formula MUCH less stressful and her feedings go soooo quickly now.  She used to feed off of me sometimes up to an hour!!  (I wasn't producing enough so I think she was just sucking hoping SOMETHING would come out. haha)  Now we are done in about 15 minutes and can carry on with playing, swimming, errands, whatever.  I do miss breastfeeding her though.  I am hoping I get over it soon! :)  

[Irish741]

Glad to know I wasn't the only one feeling that way. I am glad things are going well for you now. I use to worry a lot too about if he was getting everything he needed as well. I guess the formula appeals to my meticulous side though. I get to measure out exactly what he should be getting and knowing how much he eats at every feeding. No more guess work....I guess....hahahaha. :)

[AmyC311]

Good for you! I know it can be quite the guilt trip at first. I found that most people are understanding...there are still those out there who will try to make you feel bad but they don't matter. I remember when I had to quit I felt the same way, like I was failing my baby or something. But honestly I feel a little more comfortable with the formula than I ever did with the breastmilk. I have never been big on vitamins and I always wondered how she was getting her vitamins she needed if I missed a dose or whatever. Also I read too much about hindmilk and the other milk so I wondered if she was really getting what she needed...I just use to worry about things so much more! Now I don't. I see what she is getting and I feel better about it. Babies whose moms don't breastfeed do not feel less loved or have any issues like that so do not feel guilty. :)

Anyways! We are about to switch her formula to a normal one. We had the Alimentum which was hypoallergenic but now she is old enough that supposedly she has outgrown her allergies..?? I don't know. That is what they say though...So we shall see what she likes. I think we are going to do GoodStart with probiotics.