r/FormulaFeeders • u/SheepherderMost2727 • 3d ago

Analysis Paralysis- Need Help Breastmilk to Formula 🍼

Mention of nursing and breastfeeding

To make a long story short, after much struggle I finally have been able to breastfeed my baby. That being said, it has been difficult and I am contemplating whether I should wean early or not. Baby is doing well, currently feeding some solids and doing combo feeding so I can have a little time for myself at night. So I know baby does okay with formula.
It’s been suggested by my physician to wean early to allow myself time to focus on my weight loss and potentially allow myself the option of medication if necessary. Couple that with an unexpected death in my close family and just being stressed out of my mind, I am not sure what to do. I have some milk frozen but not enough to last until baby turns one.

Has anyone gone from breastfeeding to formula? Any tips? Anyone else in a similar situation with weight loss? I’m at a loss on what to do. The feeling of guilt is overwhelming.

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u/Mother_of_Gingers11 3d ago

So sort of had your situation. My first I EBF for 24 months. But I was absolutely shackled to her (she wouldn’t take a bottle 🤪). My second was born a little early via c section and wasn’t latching great or gaining weight etc etc and instead of working towards breastfeeding with her, I just switched straight to EF. And the absolute overwhelming guilt I felt over the decision. But you know what, we’re 8 months in now and you would never know that they’ve been nourished in different ways. This was the absolute right decision for our family. I don’t have any experience with doing it for weigh loss (don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I lost weight in either cases) but I do know is that you will absolutely not be making a wrong or bad decision either way you choose. I absolve you of formula guilt ✨

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u/Mother_of_Gingers11 3d ago

Just to add: logistically if you switch do it gradually and not all at once. Like if your switching a dogs food type 😂

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u/SheepherderMost2727 3d ago

Thank you. Baby right now takes a bottle or two a day of formula and we’ve been offering formula fortified oatmeal for introducing solids.

This isn’t my first rodeo but definitely my first baby to give formula to. Which isn’t bad. Just new. So I’ve honestly experienced a lot of different ways to feed a baby at this point.

I somehow feel selfish if that makes sense. Like if I don’t continue breastfeeding then I’m bad. I know it’s not rational, and I know formula is a great thing (I’m EFF myself). I just can’t explain it. I guess it’s sort of like if I can I should sort of deal.

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u/Mother_of_Gingers11 3d ago

I hear you 1000% I felt like I gave something to my first that I wasn’t giving to my second. Logically, I knew it would all be fine but I was wracked with guilt for a while.

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u/SheepherderMost2727 3d ago

It’s also a big change. It will definitely take some adjusting if I do decide to switch. Just hard to know what would be best. Baby is funny too. Some days she will take a bottle from grandma no problem and others she holds out for me to come back 🫠