OKay.. to end this breastfeeding/ formula feeding debate... question for breastfeeding moms (KINDA LONG SORRY)?

I'm breastfeeding my son and I'm very proud of myself for doing it because it was hard at first. It was painful as heck and it's been hard getting the hang of it.

That said- NOTHING AT ALL upsets me in the least about mothers who choose formula for their babies. #1 it is none of my business in the least how a mother chooses to feed her baby. The baby is being fed so who cares? Another mother formula feeding her baby doesn't take away in the least from the fact that I'm breastfeeding my son.

#2 I formula fed my twins. They're 20 months old and they are in perfect health! They are so smart, happy, bonded to mommy and daddy, and they're just awesome! I can't go on enough about my twins who got formula!

So there you have it. To me it doesn't matter either way whether you breastfeed or formula feed. I'm so proud to be breastfeeding my son and happy that I stuck with the hard times but I would never ever in a million years judge a mother who made a different choice. Anyone who judges something like that REALLY needs to get a life. There are babies who are neglected and abused every day. There are babies who are starving because their mothers don't have clean water or adequate food. Shed tears and wring your hands over THOSE babies... not the ones who are being *fed* by their parents!

This doesn't at all end the formula vs breastfeeding debate. You're just putting more fuel in the fire.

If you don't need an excuse "and why do you need an EXCUSE to formula feed" then why did you give your excuse "If I said that i formula feed by choice - and my choice being that i have done it because i was unprepared to be a mommy and had so much anxiety about it... in addition to postpartum depression.. I formula fed so i could take medication to help me provide my son with the best care. And so that my husband could help - who also thought in our situation formula feeding would be best."

I breastfed my daughter for a while and stopped for a reason that is no ones business but mine. I intend to breastfeed my next child for a helluva lot longer.

We all know breast is best, some just chose not to try.

Personally, I don't care if you breastfeed or formula feed. Your child, your choice.

End of.

I personlaly think it is a personal choice. There are mothers who breastfeed and not the best moms and vica-versa. Of the 9 grandchilren on my side, 4 have had breast milk and the rest were formula fed. I breast fed both my boys until three months and after that it just didn't work out. My oldest has been healthier and my youngest has had tubes. There is a special bond during breast feeding that I never got even when I used a bottle (breast milk or formula). I also liked breastfeeding at night, because I didn't have a bottle to hold so I could doze off. I believe that breast feeding has its benefits, but again that is my belief. As a teacher, I honestly cannot tell you who was breast fed or had formula, who wore Pampers or had clothe diapers. What I can tell is if a child is loved and cherished at home or if the parent has his/her priorities mixed up. And you are right, you shouldn't have to make up excuses. As parents we will always face the dilema of are we doing the right thing for our children. No matter what you do, someone will disagree and you will feel the need to justify. Sometimes its just not worth it. I plan to breast fee my 3rd child, but there are no guarantees it will work as planned.

I totally agree with you! I breastfed for 4 months. I pumped so I that feeding during the night time would be easier! By 4 months my son DID NOT want anything to do with my breast. He wanted a bottle, after a while my milk slowed WAY down and had no choice but to go to formula. My son loves formula, he got what he needed from my breast milk. I am happy I made it as far as I did and hope that my next child will nurse longer. I am with you on this, I do not understand these woman. If there is a question that has to do with formula ATTENTION BREAST FEEDERS: Do not answer it ok! If there is a question about breastfeeding ATTENTION FORMULA FEEDERS: Do not answer! Ahh, glad to get that off my chest lol. I am for both formula and breast milk...breast milk is best, but not the only route.

I've done both breastfeeding and formula feeding. I don't have anything against women who formula feed but I don't understand why a mother would not at least attempt to breastfeed.

I mean, if it didn't work out or the mother didn't like it, fine. At least the effort was made. Babies benefit from any amount of breast milk, even if it's just colostrum.

With that said, I'm not here to beat anyone up over how they feed their baby. I've made my choices, they've made theirs. I don't see why some of the women here make it into a huge dramatic battle.

I think that being a first time mum with a newborn is a huge huge change for anyone, and if you felt safer formula feeding then that is your decision and nobody else's business. I understand how a lot of people feel so intimidated by the whole thing that just managing to get through the experience with sanity intact is a big deal.

There is so much judgement and criticism that us women give each other, it is so sad, why can't we all just support each other a bit?

(And btw before I get all the thumbs-down, I DID breastfeed my babies, but I just try not to judge anyone who chooses not to!)

I think this applies to many issues on this site. Unless someone asks what the general opinion is on breastfeeding, formula feeding, using the cry it out method, using disposable or cloth nappies, using dummies, weaning onto solids before 6 months, etc etc, it is not our place to say what way someone should do it. And yes, I am guilty of it myself - I once called someone cruel for letting their baby cry to sleep but let's face it, it's not my business and that's the way it works for some people.

There's no one particular issue that will make you a 'perfect mother', and breastfeeding is one that applies. My own mother breastfed - but she smoked and drank all through pregnancy, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, etc etc, and now me and my siblings have several health issues including IBS, asthma, chronic depression and more. Was she a perfect mother? Hell no! There really isn't any such thing as the perfect mother, it's a myth. If they (or we, whatever way you look at it) were that perfect, we'd be too busy hand knitting all our baby's clothes with organic cotton, or growing our own fruit and veg to home make all baby's food, to come on here and preach to other people how to be a perfect mother. Some would argue that the full time working mother who expresses her milk is the best mother - some would argue that she shouldn't be working at all. We'll never please everyone.

And I say all this as a mother of a breastfed baby and a formula fed child.

There is no doubt breastfeeding is tough...it takes a lot of commitment patience and in my case extreme discomfort etc. I would never judge someone who is naive or has legitimate reasons for not doing it. Its the people who simply think breastfeeding is too inconvenient, messy and give up too soon (it can take some time to get it going) that bother me. You do have to make some sacrifices to give your children the best (if you can). This means some sleep deprivation, sore nipples and sometimes long or constant feeds. I really think mothers should be better educated....this could help a lot.

I breastfeed, but don't have a problem with formula feeding. I don't care how a baby is fed as long as they get fed. In your situation, I think you did the best thing for your circumstances. I mean, i'd rather be in a good mental state and formula feed, than breastfeed and not be mentally stable.... if that makes sense?

Don't let people's closed minds make you feel like you're a lesser mother than them. No one is a perfect mother, formula feeding or not. You just do the best damn job you can in raising your child the way you see fit.

One of my friends told me this saying once:

"If only closed minds had closed mouths". I can't help but agree :)

OK LADIES!! That's enough of attacking this lady. All she did was ask a question. NO NEED TO BE NASTY.. geez.

Now to answer your question. I opted to formula feed my son because I was on anti-depressants, and it ends up in the breast milk. I found out I have celiac disease, when my son was 16 months old. I know now that my breast milk would NOT have been nutritionally complete for my son because I had a HUGE nutritional deficiency. Celiac disease can cause anxiety and depression. (www.celiac.org)

However, with the research that I've done, breast milk is more nutritionally complete. But you did the right thing for your little one. You have to be emotionally and psychologically prepared to care for your newborn. Please don't let these ladies who are being mean and nasty bother you. You do what is best for you and your baby.. Remember.. Happy Mother=Happy Baby!!

good luck. :)