[Jessy_Ree]

Im sorry ladies..I know Im new here..but I really like this place and want to get to know ppl..I have discovered this is a very pro BF board..It makes me a bit sad because..I started BF'ing my daughter right after birth..and it seemed to be going ok..when she was 24 hrs old she developed severe jaundice and was taken to the nursery to be put under the bili lights..she was there 24 hrs and her levels kept going up instead of down...so they recommended I supp her with formula because my milk might make the jaundice worse..so I did that..she hated it..we continued trying to BF but she kept getting sicker and sicker..she was on lights for 4 days total and finally her numbers started coming down..but when we got home they shot back up..so she was put back into the hospital and back on lights..I continued giving her pumped milk in a bottle..the poor girl vomitted so much I felt horrible for her..she quickly lost 2 lbs( in like a week) and wasnt growing..or wetting her diapers..we started combo feeding half formula half bm...this went on several weeks with me pumping every 2 hrs around the clock( by that time she was far too used to the bottle) and only producing half of what she needed..I went on reglan and took mothers milk tea and a few other herbs known to help lactation..and still nothing..in the meantime my daughter had gotten so sick she was hospitalized again.I felt like I was starving her to death..but switching to formula was like admitting a failure..I did relunctantly switch her to formula and for 2 months..she didnt gain any weight..but didnt lose any either..at her most recent appt..about 4 weeks ago..we had some testing done and found out she is severely allergic to milk proteins and soy.I attempted to cut those out of my diet but Im already gluten and casein free..its almost impossible to find things I can eat..she was under the 4th percentile for height and weight and it was recommened I put her on nutramigen..She has completely turned around..she never spits up anymore..she doesnt look like this stringly little alien anymore and she's having normal bm's..sorry I know..ewww..Anyone else have to give up BF for their childs health? I felt bad at my other mommies board because ppl just accused me of not trying hard enough..

[ashj_1218]

I think it is mean and uncalled for that other mothers accused you of not trying hard enough. I wouldn't want to be part of a board where that happened, so you certainly won't find it here! We have moms who chose to bottle feed from day ones, ones who have struggled similarly to you, and ones who overproduce breast milk. I hope you find like-mamas who can make you feel better about your decision. But you won't find criticism here. We support all choices. Or, in your case, necessaries. Since you tried your hardest and it still did not work. If your daughter is healthy and happy..there is no failure. There will be decisions you regret in your parenting, I have a couple. But knowing you did what you could and are trying to make the right decisions will eventually overshadow the guilt you feel. Welcome to the board

[blondie-lox]

Originally Posted by ashj_1218

I think it is mean and uncalled for that other mothers accused you of not trying hard enough. I wouldn't want to be part of a board where that happened, so you certainly won't find it here! We have moms who chose to bottle feed from day ones, ones who have struggled similarly to you, and ones who overproduce breast milk. I hope you find like-mamas who can make you feel better about your decision. But you won't find criticism here. We support all choices. Or, in your case, necessaries. Since you tried your hardest and it still did not work. If your daughter is healthy and happy..there is no failure. There will be decisions you regret in your parenting, I have a couple. But knowing you did what you could and are trying to make the right decisions will eventually overshadow the guilt you feel. Welcome to the board

This.

Welcome. I'm sorry you and your daughter had a rough start. That must have been so hard on you and her. Big hugs.

[Jessy_Ree]

Thanks girls..I don't even know why I felt the need to post that..I think its because I now have another on the way and am afraid its going to be the same...I feel much better knowing that there are other moms that use formula comfortably and without feeling like they are doing an injustice to their child...You'll have to forgive my crazy hormones..LOL..

[mom2moose]

Sounds like you did all you can, to me. I don't BF. Both my kids are formula fed, and quite frankly, I have never felt bad about that decision. You do what's right for you. And obviously, your baby needed to be changed to formula in order to gain weight. Ignore what others say. It's none of their buesiness how you raise your kid anyways. Welcome.

[sunnysky24]

DO NOT feel like a failure at all I had the same with 2 of my children. nutramigen and alimentum were life savers for them.

[momie2b9-20-11]

HUGS!!! Don't let others make you feel like a failure. I know it's easy for you to think that yourself, but DON'T! You sound like a great mommy and you're doing what's best for your little girl.

I'm bfing my daughter and we had a slow start and even now she's super tiny for her age (She just turned 5 months and is 10 1/2 lbs). Her pedi says she doesn't need formula right now, but I had to finally come to terms and not feel like a failure if I did have to supplement. I have started my little girl on cereal sooner then most to try and give weight boost and that hasn't really made much difference.

You are doing the best you can and are a GREAT mommy - Do NOT let others make you think you are not!!! And, try to not think that yourself, it'll only make it worse. HUGS! Glad things are going better and that your dd is growing healthy now.

[answeredprayer]

hey you're feeding your child, that's the most important thing. I couldn't breastfeed my first so she was on formula. I have breastfed my last 3 and it's been far from easy with my 4th baby.