Milk, It Does a Body Good

Before IB was born, I was VERY anti-formula and was going to strictly breastfeed. K was working on the budget one day and asked me, "How much will we need to add to groceries for formula?" My response, "Well, none. I'm planning on only breastfeeding." K was rather excited, "Oh good! 'Cuz I've heard, besides diapers, that's the most expensive part of having a baby." Boy, did God have a different plan for me...

As I'm sure all you mothers out there know, your viewpoints can change on "baby stuff" once you have a baby. If something you were gun-ho about isn't working, you'll do what you need to do to make things work. Both the OB/GYN office and the hospital had given us samples of formula, which once brought home, were tucked away for "just in case." Within the first couple weeks of IB's life, I reluctantly pulled out some of the samples - I had to because IB wasn't getting as much as she needed without the formula. To spare you details, it took about 8 weeks before IB AND I got the hang of the whole breastfeeding act. Thankfully, after those 8 weeks the formula was not necessary - "Yay! I can stick with breastmilk, which is better for her." It was apparent that I still had the "no formula" notion running through my mind. But then a few months had passed and we were struggling with nursing again. Despite my best effort, I had to incorporate formula into IB's feedings - usually giving her 2-3 ounces of formula after she nursed. "Ok, ok. At least she's still getting breastmilk." While on vacation, I expressed my nursing frustrations to my sister-in-law (mommy of twins 6 weeks older than IB), telling her I felt guilty I couldn't fully provide what IB needs through breastfeeding. My sister-in-law empathized with me because she went through the same struggle, but assured me it's normal to feel guilty and that I have to do what is best for IB. At IB's 4-month appointment, I was asked if I'm still nursing. Unenthusiastically, I said, "I'm breastfeeding and formula feeding. She doesn't seem to be getting enough, so I'm topping her off with some formula after she nurses." Shortly after that appointment, I switched from "topping" her off to alternating breastfeeding (3x/day) and formula (2x/day). This appeared to be working decently well, but IB started to get rather mobile and vocal while nursing, simply put she wasn't very happy. Not to mention, she no longer seemed satisfied after she was breastfed.

So on 9.27.11 we went from only needing & having 2 - 9oz bottles to having 7 - 9oz bottles.

                   

Obviously, my opinion on formula has changed drastically! Yes, my little girl is now strictly formula fed, but I had to do what I had to do to make sure she was getting enough to eat. She seems pretty happy about the switch - she no longer cries after she finishes eating. *knock on wood* Granted I feel extremely guilty after making the switch because I had my heart set on breastfeeding my daughter for at least the first year, but I tell myself that she got what she needed out of breastfeeding for the first few months - which is the most crucial time, anyway. It helps that during a recent phone call with my mom, she mentioned how she ended up giving one of my brothers formula pretty early on and wasn't able to nurse me as long as she'd hoped because she was incredibly busy with my 3 older siblings. It's nice to know I have support with this decision, makes me feel less guilty. Plus, like I said, IB doesn't seem to mind.