Breastfeeding & Formula Feeding: Why Must We Normalize Only One? Wit and Wisdom

Throughout my pregnancy I was told ”breast is best.” Out of fear of being a failure I was determined to breastfeed. Flash forward a week after giving birth and I was miserable. I hated breastfeeding. My son wouldn’t latch. I had to use a nipple shield. He only fed from one breast leaving me to pump the other, and not to mention the pain that came along with every feeding! I could feel my baby blues worsen with each feeding.

I cried to my husband about how much I hated the process. I brought up formula to my husband when my little one was 8 days old. He supported it, but I had to come to terms with not breastfeeding. I kept fearing the judgment from others and feeling like a terrible mother.

We started formula a few days later, and everything changed. My baby was happier during feedings, I was happier, my husband was happier – it was a new family.

We are going on four weeks of full formula and I don’t regret my decision at all. I realize now that I had to be happy and healthy for myself and my baby, and formula feeding did just that. I hope that new moms and veteran moms not only work to normalize breastfeeding, but normalize all feeding.

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