I suffered from postpartum depression with Fletcher and after 3 miserable weeks of trying to nurse, I gave up and Enfamil saved us both. I am still angry about my experience with my first born. I remember begging God to help me!! I wanted that love at first site, perfect breastfeeding, can't get enough of my baby feeling but that was NOT the case for me. Did I mention I am still angry?
Anyway, nursing may not have come natural for Fletcher and me but Finn is a different story. I prayed and prayed while pregnant with Finn for peace over this issue and I was totally content to formula feed my newborn if necessary. Finn was in love with nursing from day one. He would have stayed latched on all day if I would have let him. I was worried because he would nurse for 45min per feeding for the first few weeks. I feel like that's all we did. Thank God for Jen and grandparents who entertained Fletcher for me.
Though I love nursing Finn, I hate the pressure. Why are we made to feel like we don't want the best for our child if we choose to formula feed? I adore both of my children and can't tell a single difference in them as far as eating goes. They are both happy, healthy boys. If Finn turns out to be smarter than Fletcher, I don't think it will have anything to do with my breast milk.
Here are a few things that helped me while feeding my boys during the early weeks:
Dr. Brown's formula mixing pitcher (here). It works GREAT! No clumps and I could make enough bottles for a 24hr period and put in the fridge then heat when needed.
Avent bottles. Not as many little parts to clean as Dr. Brown's and boys loved them.
Medela Breast Pump. I HIGHLY recommend renting one for the first few weeks to make sure breastfeeding is going to work for you and your little one. Once you buy one and open it, it's yours forever. With that being said, once I decided nursing was going to work with Finn, I bought the Medela freestyle and haven't had any problems. Before you buy one at the store, check with your local breastfeeding support center. I got mine at the Barbara Greenspun Women's Center in Vegas where they offer newborn classes, lactation consults, etc and didn't have to pay tax. My other tip is to get the medela pump kit while at the hospital and take it home. It works with all the Medela pumps and will save you from having to buy it yourself. (saves about $40)
Seeing a lactation consultant is great to help figure things out in the beginning when you don't know what you're doing but they can be a little hard core at times. I had to remember that I'm the one at home with a screaming newborn at 3am. The goal is to "feed the baby" so with Finn I made sure I had some formula on hand just in case and this didn't mean I loved my newborn less than the Le Leche League mom. (I hope this isn't why Fletcher can't seem to learn his colors)
Oh please, you were a great Momma to Fletcher and you're a great Momma to Finn! :) Your situation was extreme and I know first hand that you tried VERY hard to breastfeed Fletcher for as long as you could. In your case, it was BEST for both you & your baby to give it up and move onto formula. However, I do agree with encouraging breastfeeding. Mostly because there are a lot of people who just plain out don't even give it a shot, and don't even get me started on the people that don't give it a shot because they get their formula for free anyway....at the expense of the rest of us! I think if you give it a valient effort and it just isn't working for you, then there is no problem switching to formula and you shouldn't feel guilty about it! But, I do wish that everyone would REALLY try it first....unless there is a medical reason, of course. Anywho, bottom line....you're an awesome Mommy! :) (And the comment about Fletcher's colors cracked me up!)
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