Guess What.. Formula is just fine

Hey Guess What

Formula is OK for your baby

I am not trying to be all controversial and I am definitely NOT suggesting that you should stop  breastfeeding. I am putting it out there that babies will be just fine on formula.

I survived on formula!

I think it is wonderful how breastfeeding is becoming more and more accepted and encouraged. There are so many facts that support breastfeeding that not only benefits the baby but also the mom. 

But you know.. sometimes it just doesn't always work out. 

When I was at the point with Bo to decide to keep breastfeeding or switch to formula I did all the research I could. I like to think that I research A TON on the products I use or different techniques to see the pros and cons of all things baby.

When I was trying to do research on the best formula for breastfed babies, or stopping breastfeeding altogether --- I came up with barely anything for my personal research.

I was so frustrated at the time because breastfeeding was just not working out for the both of us. 

I was still struggling with PPD and was resenting the fact that I was the only person that could feed him. Lack of sleep, PPD, Bo not latching and everything else was not a good combination for me. 

The point where I decided I am making the switch to formula was when we found blood in his diapers. SCARY thing for a first time and anxious mom.

He ended up going on hypoallergenic formula and it has worked out great for the both of us.

Since the switch to formula I started to feel like I could really enjoy feeding him and bonding with him. The complete opposite of what I heard of with formula feeding. 

My husband was able to help me out those few weeks taking turns at night.

I didn't feel like I was restricted in going out of the house or trying to time everything just right. I felt like I had somewhat of my life and sanity back.

Some moms have breastfeeding down to an art and science. They have perfected it.

All I am saying is it doesn't work for everyone for whatEVER the reason may be. 

Sure, I didn't have problems with milk production or I could probably have changed my diet to help his digestion but I still was not truly able to give Bo the love and attention he needed. 

And you know what? 

He is alive, happy, healthy and extremely active 7 month old.

I am not against breastfeeding.. I will try again with my next children

I am just pro-whatever works best for you and your baby

don't let anyone make you feel guilty.. including yourself!

I was my worse guilt-tripper during that time. I felt like I failed and wasn't a good mom blah blah..

that obviously wasn't true.

It is OK to be the only person in your group of friends or family formula feeding. It is OK to say to your husband 'Hey why don't you feed the baby tonight I need a break'

Do what is best for you and the baby! You know better then anyone else.

My Post -- Crazies

Can I just say that I had no clue who I was the first few weeks after Bo.

I was a completely different person. 

Crying all the time. 

Seriously all the time over anything and everything. 

I had a C-Section and I loved it -- for the main reason that I got to stay in the hospital for 5 extra days! 

Yeah 5 days of nurses helping me, 5 days of letting Bo go to the nursery at night so I could sleep.. It was awesome! and you know what...I don't feel bad about it.

Then we went home.. uggh home! I don't know why everyone gets so excited about going home from the hospital. I mean let's get real, they brought me food for breakfast, lunch and dinner; I never had to get out of bed if I didn't want to or get dressed; nurses giving me the pills I needed-- Now that is the life! 

That first night I was so freaked out because of all the torturing I did to myself googling all that I could about SIDS and other scary things that could happen. 

My mom came the week after Bo was born, and what a relief.

I would probably still be crying if my family didn't help me out.

She got up with him in the night, came to the circumcision appointment (worst thing ever for someone with PPD) taught me how to do this baby stuff and then she had to leave. 

I think I bawled the 3 days BEFORE she left because I was thinking about her leaving and cried for days after she left. 

Then my dad came for the next week which was great since I was still recovering from my C-Section.

(Same thing just crying and crying and crying) 

So lucky for me my mom came back when he left because I was a hot mess. 

HOT. MESS.

Again I have no idea who the heck I was. I hate crying. It gives me a terrible headache but I just couldn't help it. 

 He's looking at me thinking.. "YOU'RE the one that's supposed to take care of me?" 

I know man I hear ya! I can't even take care of myself!

My Dad MADE me get out of the house.. which was good but I certainly did NOT want to.

It was pretty obvious to me that I had Postpartum Depression.

It's bad when the person that has PPD realizes it too instead of in denial. 

I talked to so many people that went through what I was going through. It was incredibly helpful to realize that strong women I look up to experienced the constant crying and anxiety I was feeling. 

It made me feel better that I won't be crazy like this forever! Whew!

At my postpartum doctor appointment I was upfront with my doctor about everything I was feeling. She had PPD pretty bad too when she had her babies and she prescribed Zoloft for me. 

She said it helped her and the other people that I talked to told me that they wished they took care of the problem sooner. 

It made all the difference to help me balance my psycho hormones that I couldn't control. 

People are starting to become familiar with Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression but I still feel like it has a bad rap that most people won't admit or talk about it. 

I was so grateful I had people to talk to and so grateful for modern medicine that I could start feeling like myself after a few weeks. 

It worked so well that I wanted to cry and I couldn't! 

 I could actually enjoy the moments with Bo instead of staring at him in the middle of the night with tears streaming down my face. 

I weened off of Zoloft after 3 months and I feel great. I didn't have any weird reactions and I would recommend anyone out there to talk to someone, especially their doctor, if they are feeling anything that I had. 

A good support system was key for me. 

Now I know for the future with my next babies I will most likely start Zoloft or something similar right away.