That the mothers who exclusively bf their children seem to think that formula is like a poison and should never be ok???? WTF!? So they are making me feel that because I didnt get more than 2oz of milk in and was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks with tons of drugs running through my system, and what little milk I had, with no way to "pump and dump", that I am now a HORRIBLE mother because I chose to FEED my child instead of let her starve to death becaues I couldnt breast feed!!!!!?????!!!!!????? :banghead :reallymad :censored

Hey I bottle fed my oldest because I couldnt get milk, but now with Rhyann I have milk and I feel that way about formula. DH has told me time and time again I can quit when I want and I tell him I dont want her to have that crap. Maybe its because we know we have the milk so why not. Dont let people make you feel like crap for it though, you tried and thats all you can do!

Because people suck? And people always think their way is the right way

***edited: Nevermind! I don't want to cause a debate or hurt anyone's feelings!

I am sorry you are feeling hurt! :hugs

No, lets make it a debate. Honestly though, as long as your child is being fed and is healthy, their shouldnt be a debate!

It's a shame that moms are so nasty and judgmental about each other. Formula is not bad and it's not crap. It's a very safe, healthy alternative to breastmilk for moms who can't OR SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO breastfeed. Period.

Thank God we have the right to choose what is right for our family. Too bad people can't get past judging other people for decisions that they made in the best interest of their own family.

It's a shame that moms are so nasty and judgmental about each other. Formula is not bad and it's not crap. It's a very safe, healthy alternative to breastmilk for moms who can't OR SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO breastfeed. Period.

Thank God we have the right to choose what is right for our family. Too bad people can't get past judging other people for decisions that they made in the best interest of their own family.

ITA :yes

It's a shame that moms are so nasty and judgmental about each other. Formula is not bad and it's not crap. It's a very safe, healthy alternative to breastmilk for moms who can't OR SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO breastfeed. Period.

Thank God we have the right to choose what is right for our family. Too bad people can't get past judging other people for decisions that they made in the best interest of their own family.

:agree ITA.

No, lets make it a debate. Honestly though, as long as your child is being fed and is healthy, their shouldnt be a debate!

Ah hun, I'd rather not get into a debate tonight. I am exhausted & about to head to bed! ;) I will say that I 100% feel that breastmilk is the best & those that know me know that I am very passionate about that....that coming from someone who had to formula feed both kiddos. When the subject comes up, I try to make my opinion known in a tactful way! Belittling someone over it does nothing more than hurt people & push them away from what you want them to change their minds about...whether that is breastfeeding, the war, etc.

You formula feeding mommies make me :pukey How can you put that unhealthy crap into your babies bodies?! You should all be ashamed that your not more like ME! I am the best and should be worshipped. :yes Bow down, bow down...:lol






Sorry, couldnt help myself girls. Brandi said it best :)

It's a shame that moms are so nasty and judgmental about each other. Formula is not bad and it's not crap. It's a very safe, healthy alternative to breastmilk for moms who can't OR SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO breastfeed. Period.

Thank God we have the right to choose what is right for our family. Too bad people can't get past judging other people for decisions that they made in the best interest of their own family.
:agree i also hate how they judge without knowing the reason.. or when WIC turns into the breastfeeding SS and makes you feel as big as an ant for wanting formula.

i only bf z for 3 months. i quit because my supply went down when i went back to work. i felt horrible. ellie is 100% bf... and i believe 10000% that breastmilk is best. HOWEVERRRR, i do not chastise ANYONE for not wanting to breastfeed. that's YOUR business and choice.

That the mothers who exclusively bf their children seem to think that formula is like a poison and should never be ok???? WTF!? So they are making me feel that because I didnt get more than 2oz of milk in and was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks with tons of drugs running through my system, and what little milk I had, with no way to "pump and dump", that I am now a HORRIBLE mother because I chose to FEED my child instead of let her starve to death becaues I couldnt breast feed!!!!!?????!!!!!????? :banghead :reallymad :censored

thats rediculous

I think formula is a GREAT alternative. After about 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, I started supplementing formula with ALL my children.

I do however think that women should at least TRY to breastfeed. Some have alot of misconceptions about it and most of the women I know eventually find that breastfeeding was totally easier (if they have previously formula fed that is) You try, and fail, for whatever reason, then u TRIED and should be commended for it.

I do think that alot of women have a misconstrued idea that formula feeding is easier than breastfeeding.

But on the other hand, it is all about the individual and what she and her baby choose to do. Its no one elses place to shove it down ur throat.


My major problem is the taboo that it seems to still have when in public. I have gotten everything from funny looks to downright told I was being disgusting FOR FEEDING MY CHILD! Its not like I was laying my twins out for the whole world to see!

No one can argue that breastmilk is best, nutritionally speaking, in most cases (given that mom is healthy and eating well), but it is not always the right choice for every mother. Sometimes the emotional and physical aspects outweigh the little bit of extra nutritional benefit.

No one can argue that breastmilk is best, nutritionally speaking, in most cases (given that mom is healthy and eating well), but it is not always the right choice for every mother. Sometimes the emotional and physical aspects outweigh the little bit of extra nutritional benefit.


ITA. breastfeeding is exhausting and very confusing at first which is why I believe alot of mothers give up. but I think if ur making the decision to either not breastfeed or quit breastfeeding, then u are already doing what ur body is telling u is best for YOU and YOUR baby

No one can argue that breastmilk is best, nutritionally speaking, in most cases (given that mom is healthy and eating well), but it is not always the right choice for every mother. Sometimes the emotional and physical aspects outweigh the little bit of extra nutritional benefit.


while not necessarily nutritionally "better," to me, the bonding experience and the sense of providing for my child is, FOR ME, the best. but i totally agree with you that it's not necessarily the "right choice" for every mother. and yes, i agree that some moms have a harder time with it emotionally than they would if they were formula feeding. the ULTIMATE best situation for both the mom and the baby is one where the MOM is the most relaxed and comfortable with the situation... if that's formula, great... if that's the boob, great.

being only 18 years old and no kids (yet) i cant really say much in the whole bf/formula debate. i dont know much about the reasons why one would pick one option over the other (aside from the obvious 'cant make enough milk' kinda stuff)
but i DO know that formula is designed to mimic breast milk as closely as possible so i cant imagine that it is that bad.

oh and i forgot to mention... i think it is ridiculous for people to try to tell you how to raise your child. it isnt their life and the child isnt in danger, they have no right to say S**T

What happens if you CANT breast feed? I couldnt with Lauren, I tried and tried with no luck :sigh

They did that to me..going to the boob wasn't working for either of us so I decided to pump exclusively and everyone gave me a hard time about it specifically at the hospital. :rolleyes. It worked for a bit but it was just tiring me out and I wasn't getting enough but he is fine we are fine. I don't know why everyone has to make a big deal about it.

well I think if u cant u cant, but I also think if u REALLY WANT TO, there is help for u (lactation consultants, books) education about breastfeeding is VITAL. Its not very common for a woman to absolutely NOT be able to breastfeed...but it does happen for whatever reason it is.

That the mothers who exclusively bf their children seem to think that formula is like a poison and should never be ok???? WTF!?

Just want to point out that the above isn't always true. I bf both children but think formula is fine if moms choose that. So don't lump us all into that category that because we exclusively bf that we hate formula, it ain't so.

What happens if you CANT breast feed? I couldnt with Lauren, I tried and tried with no luck :sigh

That is EXACTLY the point I was trying to make accross with the women I was discusing this with. They kept saying how they couldnt understand why anyone would NOT bf, for whatever reason, they thought that anyone who didnt was just not trying hard enough and didnt care.

So I pointed out that what if they couldnt bf, were they supposed to just say f*ck it and let their child starve to death because they didnt want to give into the formula companies because that "crap" is "poison"?

Just want to point out that the above isn't always true. I bf both children but think formula is fine if moms choose that. So don't lump us all into that category that because we exclusively bf that we hate formula, it ain't so.

sorry aubrey!! I didnt mean EVERYONE I was just venting about the women who I was talking with earlier about this. I should have narrowed it down to just that group! Sorry about that, I hope I didnt offend you! :blush

i admittedly was lazy about bf with z.... when i went back to work, i didn't pump and my supply disappeared... i probably could have far longer.

anyway, to clarify, when i say that for me, bf is better, that's just it... FOR ME, for MY family... i believe that my antibodies passed down in my breastmilk are in ellie's best interest, and that the experience is what's best for US... not necessarily for the next woman...

so yea, casey, i'm another BF mom who has no problemo if you formula feed :)

Not all whom exclusively breastfeed are like that. But there are some...

I have PCOS and suffered from 9.5 years of infertility. When I had Ethan, the thought of not being able to breastfeed never crossed my mind. Until he lost too much weight and the Dr's and lactation consultants couldnt figure out why. I was feeding on demand. They had me feed him, pump afterwards (I could only ever get maybe 1.2 an oz), then feed him again, take fenugreek, eat oatmeal, drink massive amounts of water etc. Nothing worked. He continued to lose weight. So they had me supplement with formula. He started rejecting bottles and only wanted me. At 4 months old they determined my milk had never fully come in and I had too low of a supply to soley BF. Since he was rejecting being supplemented I was forced to ween him. It was awful. I cried and cried. I had to listen to some people say it was my fault (including my best friend) say there was no such thing as a low supply, say I didnt try hard enough, etc etc. I was AWFUL.

When I had Ashley I was fully prepared for if I had a low supply. My milk did come in with her but I was scared of the same thing happening so I supplemented from the getgo and then just switched to all formula since it was starting to not only stress me out worrying about if I had too low of a supply but EThan was acting out when I bf her, etc etc

Formula isnt poison. Obviously breastmilk is best but formula is there for a reason. If I hadnt fed Ethan formula he woulda starved. Plain and simple. Try to not let it get to you. All that matters is your child is fed, loved and healthy.

sorry aubrey!! I didnt mean EVERYONE I was just venting about the women who I was talking with earlier about this. I should have narrowed it down to just that group! Sorry about that, I hope I didnt offend you! :blush

Oh, okay, if you didn't mean all of us, that's fine. :D No offense here!

That the mothers who exclusively bf their children seem to think that formula is like a poison and should never be ok???? WTF!? So they are making me feel that because I didnt get more than 2oz of milk in and was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks with tons of drugs running through my system, and what little milk I had, with no way to "pump and dump", that I am now a HORRIBLE mother because I chose to FEED my child instead of let her starve to death becaues I couldnt breast feed!!!!!?????!!!!!????? :banghead :reallymad :censored

Ignore them.

It's a shame that moms are so nasty and judgmental about each other. Formula is not bad and it's not crap. It's a very safe, healthy alternative to breastmilk for moms who can't OR SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO breastfeed. Period.

Thank God we have the right to choose what is right for our family. Too bad people can't get past judging other people for decisions that they made in the best interest of their own family.

ITA with this very well said Brandi. And Casey I found some blinikes you might like.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/reasons.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/ilovemybabyfreedom.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/proudformulafeeder.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/formulanotratpoison.gif
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/breastfedandhappy.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/bottbreast.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/bottlefedhappy-1.gif

i admittedly was lazy about bf with z.... when i went back to work, i didn't pump and my supply disappeared... i probably could have far longer.

anyway, to clarify, when i say that for me, bf is better, that's just it... FOR ME, for MY family... i believe that my antibodies passed down in my breastmilk are in ellie's best interest, and that the experience is what's best for US... not necessarily for the next woman...

so yea, casey, i'm another BF mom who has no problemo if you formula feed :)


I SOOOOO wish I could have BF'd my Ellie longer, but it just didnt work out. And not because I didnt try hard enough or didnt care enough and just gave up. It was because my body didnt allow it. :depressed

It was very hard for me to come to terms with it, and to this day I still wish I was able to have that connection and bond with her from that. And I blame the fact that because I wasnt able to BF her very long to be the reason why we dont have a very tight bond.

I tried everything though! I BF'd, no milk. I pumped, 2oz only every time. I BF'd and pumped and all I got was maybe .5oz and a screaming starving baby. So we HAD to give her formula! We waited until she was 5 days old and decided that it was best for her because she wasnt getting any breast milk. And being in the hospital off and on since she was 3 weeks old really didnt help the matter.

Even when she was about 9 weeks old, my doc tried to reboost my breast milk and that stuff only caused more harm than good. :tears

But even if I had just decided that BFing wasnt for me, I dont think the dicision should matter to anyone but YOU! I mean I would be happy to see a baby being fed period! As long as they were healthy and happy then who cares if its breast milk they are drinking or formula??? It should never really matter IMO.

no, i totally understand

i'd type more but i'm one handedly typing as ellie eats LOL

well I think if u cant u cant, but I also think if u REALLY WANT TO, there is help for u (lactation consultants, books) education about breastfeeding is VITAL. Its not very common for a woman to absolutely NOT be able to breastfeed...but it does happen for whatever reason it is.

Not everyone can benefit from help, I wish I could have. I tried to bf and I pumped the whole 6 days I was in the hossy and got no more than a few drops at a time, and then DD gagged on it. I was feeding formula to her through a dropper and she would suck it dry!! The LC even said I should give up the ghost. Some women just cannot produce the milk no matter how much help we get. I wanted to soooo bad, but I did what was best for my child and she's healthy as can be. Besides when the LC found out what meds I was on, she said I couldn't bf anyway.

while not necessarily nutritionally "better," to me, the bonding experience and the sense of providing for my child is, FOR ME, the best. but i totally agree with you that it's not necessarily the "right choice" for every mother. and yes, i agree that some moms have a harder time with it emotionally than they would if they were formula feeding. the ULTIMATE best situation for both the mom and the baby is one where the MOM is the most relaxed and comfortable with the situation... if that's formula, great... if that's the boob, great.

I breastfed and formula fed all three of mine and I got the same exact bonding experience doing both, honestly. I actually think I bonded more when I switched to bottle feeding because I was more relaxed and was not so exhausted and worn down. I did breastfeed for a while with all of them b/c I do agree that the antibodies and such can not be replaced or duplicated with formula, however I also don't really see a huge difference in formula fed babies and breastfed babies as far as getting sick. So, I think the actual protection provided is extremely minimal, as far as antibodies.

Not everyone can benefit from help, I wish I could have. I tried to bf and I pumped the whole 6 days I was in the hossy and got no more than a few drops at a time, and then DD gagged on it. I was feeding formula to her through a dropper and she would suck it dry!! The LC even said I should give up the ghost. Some women just cannot produce the milk no matter how much help we get. I wanted to soooo bad, but I did what was best for my child and she's healthy as can be. Besides when the LC found out what meds I was on, she said I couldn't bf anyway.

well thats what I mean, if u cant u cant. but at least u TRIED. there are medical reasons for why some women cant breastfeed. I was just saying that its not very common.

ITA with this very well said Brandi. And Casey I found some blinikes you might like.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/reasons.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/ilovemybabyfreedom.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/proudformulafeeder.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/formulanotratpoison.gif
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/breastfedandhappy.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/bottbreast.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Nickschic/Blinkies%20and%20siggies/bottlefedhappy-1.gif

Thank you!! I love those blinkies!!!!

I breastfed and formula fed all three of mine and I got the same exact bonding experience doing both, honestly. I actually think I bonded more when I switched to bottle feeding because I was more relaxed and was not so exhausted and worn down. I did breastfeed for a while with all of them b/c I do agree that the antibodies and such can not be replaced or duplicated with formula, however I also don't really see a huge difference in formula fed babies and breastfed babies as far as getting sick. So, I think the actual protection provided is extremely minimal, as far as antibodies.



i agree... like i said, the best option is whats more comfortable for both mom and baby :)

The reason I couldnt breast-feed was something to do with my *shudder (I hate this word)* Nipples. They were ultra-sensitive and whenever she tried to latch on, it made me jump and squirm. Then, I tried to pump and nothing would come out at all. Like 4 drops. It was utterly rediculous, and she was crying and hungry. So I had to bottle-feed her. We tried to have a lactation specialist come in and help, no luck!

So, I was a bottle-feeding Momma :D And ya know what? She hardly EVER got sick, and is almost 6 years old and healthy as a horse. So, I dont feel bad.

As for bonding, we bonded just as much with me feeding her from a bottle. I dont need her latched on to bond with her. Late at night, I used to feed her with just a bra on and her in just a diaper so we had skin to skin contact. (Its what the Doctor recommended) It worked just fine for US. Im not saying every mom is the same :)

well thats what I mean, if u cant u cant. but at least u TRIED. there are medical reasons for why some women cant breastfeed. I was just saying that its not very common.


I wasn't trying to be snarky hon, no offense meant:D I also didn't realize that the painkillers they give c-section mommies can kill newborns that have a high metabolism if they are bf'd. I was on some strong stuff and that scared me that she even got the little bit that she did. If by some miracle we have another one, I'll try again.

The reason I couldnt breast-feed was something to do with my *shudder (I hate this word)* Nipples. They were ultra-sensitive and whenever she tried to latch on, it made me jump and squirm. Then, I tried to pump and nothing would come out at all. Like 4 drops. It was utterly rediculous, and she was crying and hungry. So I had to bottle-feed her. We tried to have a lactation specialist come in and help, no luck!

So, I was a bottle-feeding Momma :D And ya know what? She hardly EVER got sick, and is almost 6 years old and healthy as a horse. So, I dont feel bad.

As for bonding, we bonded just as much with me feeding her from a bottle. I dont need her latched on to bond with her. Late at night, I used to feed her with just a bra on and her in just a diaper so we had skin to skin contact. (Its what the Doctor recommended) It worked just fine for US. Im not saying every mom is the same :)


:) that's great.

i primarily FF zoe... and i can't remember the bonding feeling i had when i bottlefed her..but then again, i can't remember much of her infancy :(. however, FOR ME, the breastfeeding experience has been amazing. it works FOR US quite well, and regardless of whether or not i feel FOR ME which one is better, i definitely advocate CHOICE.

i think it's silly that you're getting shit, casey, especially because your daughter is almost a year old!!! they transition to cow milk around that age anyway. :)

:) that's great.

i primarily FF zoe... and i can't remember the bonding feeling i had when i bottlefed her..but then again, i can't remember much of her infancy :(. however, FOR ME, the breastfeeding experience has been amazing. it works FOR US quite well, and regardless of whether or not i feel FOR ME which one is better, i definitely advocate CHOICE.

i think it's silly that you're getting shit, casey, especially because your daughter is almost a year old!!! they transition to cow milk around that age anyway. :)

*If* I ever have another, Im going to try to BF again.. You know what they say.. If at once you dont suceed...(You know the rest)

I would love to expirience both sides, and be able to breast-feed. But, if I cant I wont be terribly upset.

ya know, bf was such a chore the first time. i hated it. it wasn't working for us and i was only in it half heartedly. that's a big reason for why it didn't work...

this time is so different...but it's a different kid... different time in my life :)

i respect everyone's right as a mom to decide what THEY think is best. just like i don't believe it's anyone's right to tell a mom how to parent her kid.

It's a shame that moms are so nasty and judgmental about each other. Formula is not bad and it's not crap. It's a very safe, healthy alternative to breastmilk for moms who can't OR SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO breastfeed. Period.

Thank God we have the right to choose what is right for our family. Too bad people can't get past judging other people for decisions that they made in the best interest of their own family.

I hands down completely agree with what you said Brandi! :tu

sorry aubrey!! I didnt mean EVERYONE I was just venting about the women who I was talking with earlier about this. I should have narrowed it down to just that group! Sorry about that, I hope I didnt offend you! :blush

:) I felt the same way when I read your OP. A lot of Mom's that formula feed stereo type us exclusive breast feeders just as harshly in the other direction.

I formula fed my ODS because we got thrush and he had surgery and it just got lost in the shuffle. Jacob would only take the breast so he drug me along for the ride and now somehow it has been 16 months of breast feeding go figure.

I have strong feelings for breastfeeding and the importance for the child obviously BUT I also know that if it is hurting the bonding between mother & child, or any of the other reasons for stopping then that is fine too. It is what ever works for the family. I don't grasp the idea of not trying at all but then again its none of my business really. To each there own.

All of my babies had different experiences-I never BF ODD, then I did BF 2DD until she was six weeks, ODS I BF him for a long time but he was a formula feed baby too, I didn't have enough milk for his fat little butt.
Logan our youngest was also FF and BF.
I agree with Brandi, I bonded both ways, only with Bay did I have a little bonded problems (because of the way she was born)

My daughter was bottle fed because she wouldnt breatsfeed, my son took to the breast right away and rejects formula. Im glad he does because I hate the way it smells. I also notices formula fed babies are a little chunkier. My daughter was like a baby staypuft I hate it, people would comment on how fat she was all the time. But when it comes down to it, as long as your feeding your baby and they are getting the proper nutrition who the hell cares? I perfer not to give my son formula but if I end up having to its not the end of the world ya know

Because people suck? And people always think their way is the right way

x2


I bottle fed DD, and it wasn't even because I had problems or difficulties like you did, I just CHOSE not to bf.. some people are very touchy about bf.. and I'm ok with it, I just usually stay out of it and if they try to push it on me, I tell them where they can go.

I FF both my kids. They were not sickly children they are insanely well bonded to me. I Know people who BF and the same was for them. It's not in what you feed it's in how you parent. I agree with what Brandi said instead of judging each other we should support each other.

I also notices formula fed babies are a little chunkier.

Thats not always true. My son was always in the 35th percentile for weight thru his first 2 years ;) He was always VERY tall and thin

I bottle fed both of my babies. With ella I wasn't sure if I wanted to breastfeed but I atleast wanted to try. So together her and I did out best but I just wasn't getting any milk. I would feed her on demand and then try to pump and all I would get was maybe 1/2 an oz. She was so fussy and we couldn't figure out what was wrong. My mom decided to go to the store to get a small can of formula to just try. We made her a bottle and as she ate you could here to formula hitting the bottom of her belly. I had starved my child for 3 days. Poor thing was crying b/c she was hungry. I continuted to feed her formula and pump but still got nothing so I quit after a few weeks. With Landen I tried again. He had serious latching issues and I got help in the hospital. But he still wouldn't latch. We worked on it while I suppplimented him b/c I was affraid of starving him like I did ella. I got nipple shields and everything but he just wouldn't latch. He was frustrated and I was in pain and frustration. I tried to pump but all I was getting was colostrum. I never got any milk. So again I gave up. breastfeeding isn't for everyone so don't let those nasty woman bring you down. I am a proud formula feeding mom. Both my kids are healthy and smart so formula didn't harm them.

ya know, bf was such a chore the first time. i hated it. it wasn't working for us and i was only in it half heartedly. that's a big reason for why it didn't work...

this time is so different...but it's a different kid... different time in my life :)

i respect everyone's right as a mom to decide what THEY think is best. just like i don't believe it's anyone's right to tell a mom how to parent her kid.

That is EXACTLY how I felt BF my first and then the difference with my second!:yes

Think of it this way too Casey, whether it's BF or not potty training your kid fast enough, or putting them in *weird* clothes or whatever, SOMEONE will ALWAYS feel the need to tell you what a crappy decision you made with your kid. I think a lot of comes from women trying to justify THEIR parenting decisions because they are confident enough in what they are doing. So screw em!;)

See, ok, now I breastfed my daughter for 18 months... I suggest to my friends to at least try to breastfeed their babies, but I understand that there are situations where you are truly unable to breastfeed, plus it's not for everyone. It takes a lot of work to breastfeed. honestly, as long as you are feeding and caring for your child...NO you are not less of a mother for NOT breastfeeding. YES, it is better nutrients for the baby to breastfeed, but I don't think it's going to hurt your baby if you bottle feed

I also notices formula fed babies are a little chunkier.

That's not true. my son is a formual fed baby. He's 4 months and only 15lbs. He's just a small guy short and small. I think family history has more to say about the size of your children then formula. I'll seen huge breastfed babies but it's not b/c they are breastfed.

That's not true. my son is a formual fed baby. He's 4 months and only 15lbs. He's just a small guy short and small. I think family history has more to say about the size of your children then formula. I'll seen huge breastfed babies but it's not b/c they are breastfed.

Exactly.

My son was 16 pounds at his 2 month checkup, twice his birth weight, and is now 3 months and 18 pounds and he is exclusively BF. My second daughter was 21 pounds by the time she was 3 months old, BF as well.

Thanks ladies! I was just fuming last night over this and my massive PMS didnt help :lol But I appreciate everything that you ladies have told me!

It's a shame that moms are so nasty and judgmental about each other. Formula is not bad and it's not crap. It's a very safe, healthy alternative to breastmilk for moms who can't OR SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO breastfeed. Period.

Thank God we have the right to choose what is right for our family. Too bad people can't get past judging other people for decisions that they made in the best interest of their own family.

I completly agree! I ff all three of my kids but when Landin was born he wasn't taking the bottle right away so the nurse really pushed me into bf. I did it for like a week and honestly, I know I am going to sound horrible, but I HATED it! It is just not for me. I felt much more comfortable and therefore bonded better while bottle feeding. That is great that so many moms bf and enjoy it but I can't stand when they look down on those who don't!

I hear you Casey!! I am still so bitter I could not breastfed. It makes me so sad when people say things like that.

When I had both my children,I had every intention of breast feeding! There was no way I was going to bottle feed. Both my boys would scream and cry and arch there back when I breast feed. With my youngest DS I had a lactational nurse grab his neck and try to force him to latch on right.. He screamed so bad,I will never forget it. They kept making me feed him every hour because he had Jaundice real bad and he couldn't leave the hospital until his belli ruban count went down. In order for it to go down he had to have bowl movements .I then said give him the bottle,he was so hungry but it was almost painful for him to breast feed. I went threw major PPD because I was so disappointed.

Later on I found out both my DS had Reflux. The breast milk was to thin. He would arch his back in pain. He started associating eating with pain. so he wouldn't latch on right and it stressed me out. I wish I would have pumped ,but no one ever told me about that. They all said it was a lot of stress to pump.

I know breast is best,but I hate when people throw it in your face. Formula baby's grow up just as good as breast fed baby's! In fact my youngest brother and I were both breast fed. My middle and oldest brother were bottle fed and guess what my sibling that where bottle fed are the smartest of all of us. My oldest brother is a engineer with a PHD he was even fed with soy formula(people are saying soy is the worst).

I will say that I breastfed for over three years. Breast is best. Formula is in no way posion. So long as it is an informed decision, then so long as the kids are happy and healthy, its all good.
I had my first kid at 17, and there was extreme pressure to formula feed, as the theory was that young moms couldn't nurse well.
Parenting is hard.
:)

It's a shame that moms are so nasty and judgmental about each other. Formula is not bad and it's not crap. It's a very safe, healthy alternative to breastmilk for moms who can't OR SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO breastfeed. Period.

Thank God we have the right to choose what is right for our family. Too bad people can't get past judging other people for decisions that they made in the best interest of their own family.

Very well said :D Don't let it get to you. YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEST for your baby :)

i think every woman should TRY it but i completely understand if they can't, hell my aunt couldn't her milk never came in. she was devastated because she knows that breast is best but she had to go to formula. if i can't BF then i can't BF but if i can i will BF up to a year or as long as i can

I formula fed my son and I will more than likely do the same again. I wasn't comfortable BFing and so I didn't do it. I was made to feel like crap my certain people but for the most part I was supported by my decision. It's not evil or crap and I think it is 110% the mother's choice. The baby is getting fed and nutrients either way. Some act like feeding a baby a bottle of formula is worse than starving it. Some can't BF and some don't wish to... its their choice. And you shouldn't be made to feel bad for it. :hugs

I exclusively breastfed all my kids 1st one until he was almost two. The second weaned himself at 8 months and Annabelle is still going strong and she doesnt like bottles. I have been much more educated this round and here where I live both Melissa and I went to a breastfeeding support group up here that is free and it was the BEST....we had girls that weren't able to bf but came in there and did it. I know there are situations where people just can't though and I respect that. I just think its the best thing for the babies and to give them a chance with it. In nursing group they told us it can take up to a month for some to get there milk in!!

This says it best I think:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/KoKoKiss/Mommy%20Icons/breastform02.gif

This says it best I think:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/KoKoKiss/Mommy%20Icons/breastform02.gif


That is so true :lol

I FF both of mine and both are very healthy and were very lean babies. I chose not to BF once the decision to do C's was made, not to mention how sick I was after having DS....I had to have respratory therapy up until the day he and I left the hospital and was still sick for atleast a week after. I did my best to not take the meds, but the simple fact is that I still had to every now and then and I was not about to take any risks with either kiddo :yes

It's a shame that moms are so nasty and judgmental about each other. Formula is not bad and it's not crap. It's a very safe, healthy alternative to breastmilk for moms who can't OR SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO breastfeed. Period.

Thank God we have the right to choose what is right for our family. Too bad people can't get past judging other people for decisions that they made in the best interest of their own family.


ITA

This says it best I think:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/KoKoKiss/Mommy%20Icons/breastform02.gif

That is awesome!!!! I love it!!