Formula Is Not Evil & 4 Other Things You Should Know About Breastfeeding

I knew I wanted to breastfeed well before Levi was born. It was already the obvious choice to me, and then I read all about how it’s the healthiest thing to do, and provides tons of benefits to your newborn, to you, etc… 

I thought I was prepared for breastfeeding. I read about it. I took a class. I bought a pump for when I returned to work. I wrote breastfeeding into my birth plan. Heck, I already owned a Boppy pillow, since I heard that’s helpful, too. 

Here’s what I know now that I wish I knew then: 

1) Breastfeeding Is Hard

Ok, this might seem obvious. And yes, I knew this going in. All the books tell you it can be tough. People I knew told me it can be tough. But when you’re sitting up in the middle of the night, holding a baby that just doesn’t want to latch, tears streaming down both your faces, well, you realize just how tough it can be. This will pass, but be prepared to deal with it. 

2) Build A Good Support System

Luckily for me, I had a great support system. My husband was on board, I had friends that were trying to breastfeed their children to talk to, and I had an enormous community of supportive Twitter folks to talk to when I needed advice or encouragement. If you don’t have anyone in person to chat with, join Twitter, join Facebook, join an online community of some sort. Best For Babes and The Leaky Boob are AWESOME places to find support. Locally, you can also try your local La Leche League chapter or ask the lactation support team at the hospital where you delivered (or ask your midwife if you had a home birth). 

3) Formula Is Not Evil

If you feel the need to supplement, that’s ok. If your doctor recommends it, that’s ok too. Formula can be a healthy addition to a breastfeeding relationship. Like all decisions, you should weigh the cost and benefits to try to decide what’s right for you. 

4) Breastfeeding Does Not Have To Be All-Or-Nothing

It’s ok if you feed formula during the day and breastfeed at night. Or exclusively pump. Or supplement with formula after breastfeeding. Or use donor milk. Or whatever. Do what works for you. Just because you’re a new mom doesn’t mean you don’t know what’s best. It’s easy to second-guess yourself. Here’s my test to decide if something is the right decision when it’s a new thing: I ask myself if I know what I’m talking about. Can I explain my decision? If the answer is yes, then I go ahead with my gut feeling. If the answer is no, I try to learn more so I can make an informed choice. 

5) It Gets Easier And It’s Totally Worth It

It DOES get easier. Eventually you’ll both get the hang of it, and before you know it, you’ll be celebrating milestones like one week, one month, six months, maybe even a year or more. And let me tell you – when you look into the soft, sleepy eyes of your baby as he drifts off to sleep in a little milk coma, you’ll smile with pride. That’s all you Mama. You created that tiny baby. You nourished him for 9 months inside, and now you’re nourishing him outside, too. 

This post is part of the weekly Breastfeeding Blog Hop. If you’re new to blog hops, please check out “How To Blog Hop“

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Life With Levi

The Slacker Mom & Diary Of A Devil Dog Wife

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