I formula fed after 6 weeks and expressed a lot before that. I loved seeing my husband feeding our son, it was something very special for them ... and for me :)
What a wonderful post! I breastfed my daughter until 19 months... I absolutely loved it and was sad when she self weaned and would say, "no, bed, cot" instead of having her milk! :( #2 due in June so can't wait to start the journey again!
I am jealous of your breastfeeding photo. I fed one for 18 months & the other for 2 yrs & have maybe two feeding photo's & not as pretty as your one... what was I thinking there?
Your post makes a good point. All that money that goes into 'promoting breast feeding' could be given to someone who can't afford to feed their child. I wish they would stop printing pro breast feeding posters. It's just not necessary.
I think people should do whatever they want. We're educated enough to know the pros and cons, we can judge for ourselves what's best for us. I don't have many photos, this was a random snap otherwise I'd never think to do it! Should take more xx
I desperately wanted to breastfed my son, I never even considered formula feeding, I never had anything against formula but I was determined my son would be breastfed. Well a lot like his birth, breastfeeding didn't go to plan at all. After an emergency C section (it was meant to be a drug free, all natural water birth), my wound became infected making it very difficult to move at all. On top of that I ended up with a cyst in my breast, a single breast that was barely producing milk and nipple thrush, while my son ended up with oral thrush. I was in horrible pain, stressed out to the max, and in tears every single feed time. I was in so much pain I had to keep stopping my son from eating so I could brace myself for more pain, which meant he was super upset as well. I should mention we saw 2 lactation consultants in the hospital before we left and another one when we left hospital. In the end I gave in and fed him formula. Do I regret it? In some ways, massively. I still long for the bonding experience we missed out on, I still feel as though I failed him at the very start. He's thriving, happy and extremely healthy so I know I should be content with that but I'll always feel like I should've been tougher and done better for him. At the same time I also think it was the best option we had at the time.
Oh my gosh, this has made me so sad. After all that excruciating pain, you think you should have been tougher? I think you're being waaaaaaay hard on yourself. To be honest, I don't think I would have gone to the lengths you did - I wanted my child to be breastfed, but not at that expense. I feel awful that you have regrets, and somehow feel as though you failed, when I think you were so much braver than most, and you sacrificed a great deal to give him what he got. I hope that you make your peace with it and don't let it take up another moment of your thinking, when you could be thinking so much nicer things. Gah, poor girl! If it's any consolation, I think you made the right decision. My first week of breastfeeding was terribly painful, and I could see why women give up. I found it almost impossible to see a time when it was no longer going to hurt... and that's without all the issues you had to deal with, so I'm in awe of those who pushed on where even I would stop. I'm sure you've found other ways to bond... my kid barely cares how she's fed, I don't think she sees boob as anything more special than weet bix!
Well said! The End.
ReplyDeleteLIKE. No wait ... LOVE
ReplyDeleteI formula fed after 6 weeks and expressed a lot before that. I loved seeing my husband feeding our son, it was something very special for them ... and for me :)
Love it! So true.
ReplyDeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteBTW, jealous of your enormous cans in that photo. As an aside. ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put!
ReplyDeleteHaha it drives me nuts! I couldn't care less what everyone does, as long as we're all happy! xx
ReplyDeleteHaha nothing like the truth to bring us all together :)
ReplyDeleteOh isn't it the sweetest?! xx
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it's all that needs to be said x
ReplyDeleteIf it helps, they're very much like deflated balloons now, with the requisite "nipples pointing to the ground" business...
ReplyDeletehaha thank you xx
ReplyDeleteLove it!!
ReplyDeleteEither way - the baby is nurtured, fed and safe! Amen! (or woman for that matter)!
ReplyDeletex loulou
i empathise,my girls are almost at the point of being rolled and tucked into their holster now !
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL. I want to come over to your house and type you up a love letter using that cool typewriter. XXX
ReplyDeleteAnd it's as simple as that. Love it.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot, you can also feed your baby with a spoon! (When they get older)
ReplyDeleteHere, here! So simple yet somehow it gets some complicated when people start putting their opinions in the mix. Fed is best :)
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly!
ReplyDeleteI am frightened of their state after the next baby...
ReplyDeleteYou are a million times welcome. You can have tea from one of my fancy cups too.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like it's only Judgy Judgysons making it complicated xx
ReplyDeleteyes darling, but I said "infant" :)
ReplyDeleteDear opinion-giver - I don't want it! Love, Me xx
ReplyDeleteBest breast feeding post EVER.
ReplyDeletehaha sometimes simple is really the best :)
ReplyDeleteExactly!
ReplyDeleteExactly! It hardly needs an infographic!
ReplyDeletex
Just an excuse to put my boobs on the internet xx
ReplyDeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Gorgeous photos :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
ReplyDeleteword.
ReplyDeleteOh Lady, yes yes yes!! You hit the mail on the head. Love.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?
ReplyDeleteThe end! x
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I breastfed my daughter until 19 months... I absolutely loved it and was sad when she self weaned and would say, "no, bed, cot" instead of having her milk! :( #2 due in June so can't wait to start the journey again!
ReplyDeleteSorry. Fail to me.
ReplyDeleteHee hee, that's all we need :)
ReplyDeleteTestify!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering when mine will wean! Not that I want her to - I'm just wondering what will happen :)
ReplyDeleteI am jealous of your breastfeeding photo. I fed one for 18 months & the other for 2 yrs & have maybe two feeding photo's & not as pretty as your one... what was I thinking there?
ReplyDeleteYour post makes a good point. All that money that goes into 'promoting breast feeding' could be given to someone who can't afford to feed their child. I wish they would stop printing pro breast feeding posters. It's just not necessary.
I think people should do whatever they want. We're educated enough to know the pros and cons, we can judge for ourselves what's best for us. I don't have many photos, this was a random snap otherwise I'd never think to do it! Should take more xx
ReplyDeleteI desperately wanted to breastfed my son, I never even considered formula feeding, I never had anything against formula but I was determined my son would be breastfed. Well a lot like his birth, breastfeeding didn't go to plan at all. After an emergency C section (it was meant to be a drug free, all natural water birth), my wound became infected making it very difficult to move at all. On top of that I ended up with a cyst in my breast, a single breast that was barely producing milk and nipple thrush, while my son ended up with oral thrush. I was in horrible pain, stressed out to the max, and in tears every single feed time. I was in so much pain I had to keep stopping my son from eating so I could brace myself for more pain, which meant he was super upset as well.
ReplyDeleteI should mention we saw 2 lactation consultants in the hospital before we left and another one when we left hospital. In the end I gave in and fed him formula. Do I regret it? In some ways, massively. I still long for the bonding experience we missed out on, I still feel as though I failed him at the very start. He's thriving, happy and extremely healthy so I know I should be content with that but I'll always feel like I should've been tougher and done better for him. At the same time I also think it was the best option we had at the time.
Oh my gosh, this has made me so sad. After all that excruciating pain, you think you should have been tougher? I think you're being waaaaaaay hard on yourself. To be honest, I don't think I would have gone to the lengths you did - I wanted my child to be breastfed, but not at that expense. I feel awful that you have regrets, and somehow feel as though you failed, when I think you were so much braver than most, and you sacrificed a great deal to give him what he got. I hope that you make your peace with it and don't let it take up another moment of your thinking, when you could be thinking so much nicer things. Gah, poor girl! If it's any consolation, I think you made the right decision. My first week of breastfeeding was terribly painful, and I could see why women give up. I found it almost impossible to see a time when it was no longer going to hurt... and that's without all the issues you had to deal with, so I'm in awe of those who pushed on where even I would stop. I'm sure you've found other ways to bond... my kid barely cares how she's fed, I don't think she sees boob as anything more special than weet bix!
ReplyDeleteI love it. No explanations. Who cares! You're the best! xx
ReplyDeletehaha precisely. Ain't nobody else's business!
ReplyDelete