I'm SO done being shamed for having made the decision to formula feed. I tried to breastfeed. I tried my best, and I tried harder then I probably even should have. 2 hour trips weekly to lactation consultants, extra doctors appointments and weigh ins, losing my entire days to feeding, then pumping, then cleaning bottles, then feeding again. Lactation cookies, ovaltine, lactation smoothies, power pumping, skin to skin, more water. I tried everything in my power to breastfeed, and still, my daughter was not gaining weight. We went an entire month without her gaining a single ounce. My daughter was born 8 pounds. She was 80th on the percentile chart. She was 7.6 when we left the hospital. 7.2 3 days later. It took us over a month for her to hit her birth weight again. She weighed 11.4 pounds at her 5 month check up. She had gained less then 4 pounds since birth. And STILL I tried to breastfeed. Until 5 months and 2 weeks, when she had officially dropped off the percentile chart. She was failing to thrive. All her doctors at that point told me she needed formula. Simple as that. So I gave in. I cried, and I felt like the worlds worst mom, and I was sad for days. Until I put her on the scale. She gained almost a pound in 1 week. A month and a half later, and she's 15.8oz. She's gained over 4 pounds in less then 2 months. She's now at the 28th percentile. Did you know that it's estimated that 15% of moms are unable to make enough milk for their babies? Who knows, maybe my milk wasn't 'fatty' enough. But more then likely, I just did. Not. Have. Enough. Milk. Period. That is something that is not my fault, and beyond my control. Because damn I tried. SOCIETY (and other moms!!!!) need to STOP shaming moms for formula feeding. Formula feeding is NOT selfish. Maybe if it wasn't so taboo, so frowned upon, I wouldn't have had such a hard time making the decision to formula feed. Maybe I would have started earlier and she would way even more then she does now. Maybe I wouldn't have cried endlessly and felt like a failure. BREAST IS NOT ALWAYS BEST!!!!!!!
