Breastfeeding is Hard!

Let's talk about Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Not only because of the physical challenges but also the mental and emotional toll it took on me. We all know the saying "Breast is best!" I say fed is best! When I became a mom for the first time I felt so much pressure to breastfeed. I felt like I would be letting my child down if I didn't give her what was "best."

I was surrounded by breastfeeding warriors who had it all together and to who it seemed to come so easy. Meanwhile, I was dealing with a low milk supply, cracked nipples, and a starving baby. I remember sitting there in the middle of the night sobbing not wanting to give her formula because I thought it was poison. Typing this now I laugh because of how dramatic that sounds. However, that is how I was made to feel after the countless articles I read and the moms I talked to.

Trust me, I tried everything possible to boost my milk supply! I drank tons of water, ate all the milk-boosting foods, tried all the pumping routines, you name it I did it. I finally threw in the towel and fed my baby formula. (gasp!) And guess what?!? She SURVIVED!!! Moms stop putting so much pressure on yourself! Breastfeeding isn't for everyone.

Now with Lyric, my firstborn, I did continue breastfeeding but supplemented with formula. Honestly, I hated every minute of it. I was killing myself to give her the little bit of milk I forced myself to produce. It was fourteen months of torture. With my second daughter, I decided to try again but with the understanding that I probably wouldn't produce enough to keep her fed. When the same thing happened and I was barely producing I didn't torture myself mentally and I didn't feel like I was letting her down. I decided to switch and just feed her formula. (gasp!) It was the best decision I could have made! It was so freeing for me to be able to decide to quit and not feel guilty. My daughter is six months old and thriving!

Mamas, please do what is best for you and your baby. Don't feel like you have to fall into the pressure others or the internet try to force on you. Your baby needs to be fed and for mama to be in good health mentally and physically. It's ok to do something different. It's ok to choose a formula just because you want to. In my experience, there are lots of people out there in the same situations as you but are too embarrassed or ashamed to talk about it.

Breastfeeding is hard and it's a full-time job of its own. I wanted you to know you are not alone. If you are a breastfeeding warrior that's amazing and I'm so happy for you! If you're not that's amazing, feed the baby formula and get a good night's sleep. As long as the baby is fed everything else will be alright. You are a great mom!

XOXO

Kara