When I had my first baby, I don’t remember there ever being a question of whether or not I would nurse her. That was the plan and I bought all sorts of equipment that went along with nursing.
But when my daughter was born, she had severe jaundice and had to be readmitted to the hospital. She had to stay in the BiliBed around the clock, so it wasn’t physically possible to get to her and nurse her as often as I needed to keep my supply up.
When I started having supply problems, I did everything I could to keep my supply up. Pumping between feedings, taking supplements, trying herbal remedies – you name it, I tried it. But it became obvious that I wasn’t able to keep up with my daughter’s feeding demand and the pediatrician told us we would have to supplement with formula.
I felt like a failure.
All my friends nursed their babies. My mother nursed us. I hadn’t even considered anything else.
I thought my friends and family would be disappointed in me or would think I was taking “the easy way out”. But I was so, so wrong.
Man, I wish I could go back then and know what I know now. To have the knowledge and self-confidence as a mom that I have now.
I have now nursed and formula-fed all three of my children. And they’re all healthy and thriving and wonderful.
I realize now that none of it is easy. Or the only answer. And that no one should be judged for one parenting choice or the other. It’s really not a big deal.
Mothers all want the best for their babies and we’re doing the best we can. Let’s respect that about each other. And end the Mommy Wars.
In that same spirit, Similac has created The Sisterhood of Motherhood, where acceptance is the focus, not differences. So join us, and let’s try to be supportive of one another, instead of judgmental.
Similac partnered with bloggers such as me for its Sisterhood of Motherhood Program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. Similac believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Similac’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
