Breastfeeding: The Formula Fix

Breastfeeding is an affair of the heart. The look of contentment and satisfaction on my girl’s face as she nurses is a mirror reflection of what is in my heart in that moment. Breastfeeding is everything I longed for in motherhood. Just a few quiet moments of connection throughout the chaos of our everyday life.

Photo: Maile Wilson Photography

We are six months into our nursing relationship and I dare say I will continue to nurse because she loves it, I love it, and well…it is easy. No messy clean up, it’s convenient no matter where we are (I’m not shy about public nursing)—no fuss, no muss.

But I almost missed out on this special relationship with my baby because I thought breastfeeding had to be all or nothing. I thought you were either pro-breastfeeding or pro-formula. I thought you either nursed or you didn’t. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I honestly did not know or realize there was this middle ground that no one talks about much.

I felt pressure to get it right: to breastfeed, to pump, to give her breastmilk exclusively. In retrospect, I do not even know how or why I didn’t know that supplementing with formula is a real option that can actually save your breastfeeding relationship.

Whether you are a low producer, a stressed out working mom, or an anxiety sufferer (or all of the above, like me), then please, please, please know that breastfeeding is not all or nothing. It is not black and white. It is not pass or fail. Supplementing with formula can be the solution to allow you to continue breastfeeding.

Yes, I believe (for us) that breast is best. I believe that every ounce has mattered. I know that nursing holds all of my mommy feelings in one perfect moment. And yet formula was the saving grace.

Are you (or were you) a supplementing mama like me? Share your experiences and advice because  I would love to hear them!

Bridget
Bridget was born and raised in San Antonio and moved back here after college and law school. She is a wife, full-time attorney, wrangler of four kids ages 15, 13, 3 and almost 2. As both a stepmom and mom, her life and house is always full and she loves to share about blended family life. Bridget is also passionate about infertility advocacy after having suffered multiple miscarriages and multiple rounds of IVF. Now with her stepkids, rainbow baby, and surprise baby, her family is complete and she is soaking up every minute of motherhood!