My wife tried desperately with both of our kids. There’s no way she could due to malformed glands. Multiple specialists confirmed that we had no choice but to feed formula almost exclusively. To this day she has guilt over something that she had no control over.
The formula shortage was one of the scariest parts of my entire life. Some babies don’t take well to certain formulas, and we had to switch them up a couple times, which meant lots of infants with upset stomachs. Nobody got any sleep for months until the FDA started allowing foreign formula into the country. Thankfully we are past formula and onto real food. I remember going to multiple stores where they were all out of the formula that my premature son could eat and the feeling of utter desperation.
My wife could use a breast pump, but getting my daughter to latch was really, really hard and she would also only latch to one breast. Breast pumps are pretty humiliating things to use all the time. You’re hooked up to a milking machine like you’re a cow. It really started getting to her. After about a month, I said to her, “this is crazy. She’s gotten the colostrum she needs, she’s had a month of milk, this is so hard on you. We should just switch her to formula.”
My daughter is by no means perfect at age 14, but I don’t think that switch was the source of any of her problems and it sure as hell was easier on my wife’s mental state.
You get downvotes because for women who want to breastfeed but can’t it’s devastating and can lead to depression. In addition there’s this cult that tells you that you are a bad mother for feeding formula on every occasion which really does not help.
That is not how your initial comment is worded, hence the downvotes. It has no consideration for those who can’t, and your immediate response doesn’t have that consideration either.
Depends. Some women cannot have enough milk production, some have over production. It’s a bit of a gamble most of the times. In countries like Brazil there is a sort of system where is possible to donate milk in case of over production, and in case you don’t have or not enough, you can have some of it (not sure about the details, but for me this sounds great).
As for people saying formula is better than breastmilk, believe or not, Nestlé is to blame for this. Back in the day they touted that all over the place, and at some point, they got penalties for saying such bs. The fun part? They are using the EXACT same tactics on some under developed countries so they can sell more. Quite frankly, Nestlé is really up there on companies to despise ( Exxon is possibly the top one, but Nestlé is not really that behind)
Well, I’m making a joke while noting that your suggestion ignores that men can be single parents too. Mom died in birth, for instance. How to breastfeed then?
And a million other situations in which it is sometimes necessary. Not all women can lactate either.
Removed by mod
Not always possible
Sure but in most cases it is.
I don’t mind the down votes but I just can’t understand how feeding my baby something called “formula” is better than breast milk.
Obviously there’s always nuances.
My wife tried desperately with both of our kids. There’s no way she could due to malformed glands. Multiple specialists confirmed that we had no choice but to feed formula almost exclusively. To this day she has guilt over something that she had no control over.
The formula shortage was one of the scariest parts of my entire life. Some babies don’t take well to certain formulas, and we had to switch them up a couple times, which meant lots of infants with upset stomachs. Nobody got any sleep for months until the FDA started allowing foreign formula into the country. Thankfully we are past formula and onto real food. I remember going to multiple stores where they were all out of the formula that my premature son could eat and the feeling of utter desperation.
My wife could use a breast pump, but getting my daughter to latch was really, really hard and she would also only latch to one breast. Breast pumps are pretty humiliating things to use all the time. You’re hooked up to a milking machine like you’re a cow. It really started getting to her. After about a month, I said to her, “this is crazy. She’s gotten the colostrum she needs, she’s had a month of milk, this is so hard on you. We should just switch her to formula.”
My daughter is by no means perfect at age 14, but I don’t think that switch was the source of any of her problems and it sure as hell was easier on my wife’s mental state.
Mine tried a bunch of different pumps but none would fix her medical issue. She tried SO hard and long for naught.
I feel for you :( I’m also happy your wife at least tried. Congrats on your baby!
You get downvotes because for women who want to breastfeed but can’t it’s devastating and can lead to depression. In addition there’s this cult that tells you that you are a bad mother for feeding formula on every occasion which really does not help.
I never said they are bad mothers. I said that if you can then you should probably.
That is not how your initial comment is worded, hence the downvotes. It has no consideration for those who can’t, and your immediate response doesn’t have that consideration either.
Depends. Some women cannot have enough milk production, some have over production. It’s a bit of a gamble most of the times. In countries like Brazil there is a sort of system where is possible to donate milk in case of over production, and in case you don’t have or not enough, you can have some of it (not sure about the details, but for me this sounds great).
As for people saying formula is better than breastmilk, believe or not, Nestlé is to blame for this. Back in the day they touted that all over the place, and at some point, they got penalties for saying such bs. The fun part? They are using the EXACT same tactics on some under developed countries so they can sell more. Quite frankly, Nestlé is really up there on companies to despise ( Exxon is possibly the top one, but Nestlé is not really that behind)
Roughly 50% of parents are incapable of lactating.
😂 not sure if you’re joking, but yes, roughly 50% of parents definitely cannot lactate
Well, I’m making a joke while noting that your suggestion ignores that men can be single parents too. Mom died in birth, for instance. How to breastfeed then?
And a million other situations in which it is sometimes necessary. Not all women can lactate either.
So shouldn’t judge people for using formula imo
I’m judging moms with no reason not to breastfeed for doing it. That’s all
If you have a medical issue, or you’re a single father, etc … Then I’m not judging.
Either way, im just a random guy on the internet and my opinion doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of life
fair enough