Fed is Best!
I tried to do the breastfeeding till a year thing, but so many obstacles made it hard on my mental health.
My daughter had a tongue tie that we didn't know about till her first pediatric appointment.
She was evaluated at the hospital but no one caught it or told us. They just kept telling me I wasn't doing it right. I felt as if I was following their every word down to the T, but she still would only eat for like 5 mins and then cry less than an hour later with hunger cues. The night nurse was a good person I'm sure but she gave me bad advice and didn't do much to help my situation. I told her I didn't think she was getting enough to eat and if we could do formula to see if she would feel better. She said "No formula is sweeter than breastmilk so she won't like it if you introduce formula." I then asked if they had a pump so I could know exactly what she was getting. She said no to that too, because of something about it being too sticky and nothing would come out anyways. Last thing I asked her was for donor milk. And guess what her answer was...
NO! It shouldn't be that hard to be heard. If only someone would have listened to me when I voiced my concerns of my baby's feeding it probably would have been easier from the jump.
When her pediatrician discovered her tongue tie, she was 4 days old and not getting enough nutrition. The doctor told me she had jaundice and she had to get tested to see if it was a major case. Thank God everything was fine but from then on I had to pump.
Pumping 8x a day was so draining and then I felt like I couldn't do anything else. It consumed my day and night. No one else could take this off my hands so at 3 months I started to supplement with formula and now that she is 5 months all she drinks is formula.
All in all I did what was best for me and my baby loves it either way. She is a chunky baby and is starting to eat solids so she is very happy 😂
Navigating the world of infant feeding can be challenging, especially when unforeseen issues arise. Tongue tie, a condition where the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is tighter than normal, can significantly impact a baby's ability to breastfeed effectively. It’s essential for parents to be vigilant about feeding cues and advocate for their child's needs during pediatric appointments. Many new mothers experience pressure to exclusively breastfeed, leading to feelings of guilt and frustration when faced with difficulties. It's crucial to recognize that each feeding journey is unique and that introducing formula or donor milk can be a necessary step in ensuring a baby's health and well-being. Support networks, including friends, family, and online communities, play a vital role in helping new parents navigate these challenges. Sharing experiences and strategies can provide reassurance and comfort to those who feel isolated in their journey. If you find yourself struggling, remember that it’s okay to seek help—whether from lactation consultants, healthcare providers, or supportive communities. Ultimately, the goal is a happy, healthy baby, and as many parents discover, 'fed is best' resonates far beyond the choice of how to feed.
