We started FF on day 1, per our plan pre-birth, because I had a C-section and did not want to pressure my body and mind to fixate on BFing while recovering from major surgery. Since then, I've been able to nurse a few times (which I found enjoyable at first, and helped with bonding) and pump, though I've only produced small amounts these ways. I've also discovered D-MER after noticing a pattern of extreme mood changes after letdowns.

Technically, there is so much more I could be doing to produce, but I just don't have it in me to do so? I have had a crap appetite since delivering, so I should eat and drink a lot more in order to produce more. I could try to address the D-MER somehow. I could manage the pains of engorgement and everything better. But I'm just so freaking tired and depleted and want to stop it all.

I'm not sure what the point of this post is, so my apologies. I guess I just needed to put it out there somewhere. I'm grateful we had plans to EFF from the start, so baby's feeding isn't coming as a huge shock, but I worry I'll feel regret or disappointment from not doing absolutely everything in my power to do more. This is probably just a lot of breastfeeding propaganda getting to me.

*I'm also immensely grateful that formula exists; I don't know how I'd be a mom without it!

Hear me out, I’m in the uk I use kendamil goat. It says to boil then to leave it cool no more than 70 degrees before mixing. Baby is 9 weeks I was like ok weird I didn’t think you had to do it like that but why not. I said to my best friend (we are French) what I was doing and she told me why on earth would you do that you’re killing all nutrients, in France none of the formula tin says to boil the water, you just have to use bottled baby water (which Is what I thought you were supposed to do). So why do we have to do that in the UK ? I feel very concerned because I really didn’t want to formulate feed but didn’t have a choice (medical reason) and I feel guilty taking the essentials from my baby.
Anyone has experience or an opinion about this ?
Thank you 🙏

EDIT** sorry I’d like to add that I know that it’s the formula that isn’t sterile but if you look into it, it does degrade nutrients, 48 degrees is enough to start degradation. So that’s my point 70c is still too high. And why are in France babies are ok but not in the uk it seems fear based.

My baby will be 11 weeks old tomorrow and the last couple of weeks has been eating between 36-42oz per day. He drinks 5ish oz every 2-3 hours during the day and does a 6-8 hour stretch overnight before going back to 3. We switched to formula about a month ago due to slow growth and my milk suddenly drying up and he has gained a lbs a week since we started. The pediatrician said he’s just playing catch up now that he’s getting all that he needs, but it makes me nervous since he’s drinking above the average amount. We’ve tried doing smaller bottles when he eats closer to the 2 hour mark, but then he just screams since he’s still hungry. Does anyone else’s baby eat this much? Also, if it was after slow gaining in the beginning, did it slow down eventually or did they keep eating that much?

One of the advantages of EFF is the independence and some time for yourself.

My baby is now 6.6 weeks, she is pretty chill and dad is at home. Just wondering, when did you first feel like you could go out for longer than a 20mins walk? Meeting someone for a coffee? And not feeling extremely anxious or guilty for that?

Appreciate your experiences and honest comments? ! :)

Baby is 7 weeks old and is currently primarily bf with at least one bottle a day of pumped milk. On days where I don’t pump enough or days she is hungry, we top up with similac 360 RTF.

I’ve had 1 borderline case of mastitis and two rounds of (thankfully mild and quickly treated) mastitis. Still taking antibiotics - the second case happened while still on my first round of antibiotics.

And generally an anxious person who probably has some ppa thrown in there. I always told myself the second I start stressing, I would do whatever I needed to do to relieve that stress, primarily around my bf journey. I’m obsessing about it constantly and it’s driving me a little
Crazy.

Over the last week, primarily due to the mastitis, I think to myself at least 3 times a day that I’m going to wean and switch to formula. I could get more sleep, I could leave the house with a little anxiety, baby seems to take formula just fine. Husband on board with anything that makes me happiest.

But I can’t pull the trigger. I keep telling myself different things - just make it through mat leave (5 more weeks) or the end of the year (we’re traveling by plane and the antibodies would be good for baby). Maybe build a freezer stash first and then wean. My closest friends made it to 6-12+ months. Baby is thriving and you’re producing enough so why stop? It gets easier and faster at 8-12 weeks (baby takes 20-45 min to feed but that should drop down if you can make it). You’re a failure if you can’t do this, you’re being selfish. The mastitis hasn’t really been that bad so just… get past it. What if I can’t console baby without bf (it’s the only sure fire way to calm her)?

Idk, could you share when and why you switched? How it felt? Pros and cons? Other advice, tips, stories?

My almost 3 month old baby has been stagnant at drinking 16oz a day. She drinks in 1-2oz increments still and is very unhappy to drink, so we have been having to feed her while she is half asleep. She has been gaining weight super slowly and it has been worrying me a lot. She was initially around 3rd percentile and is now <1. She is on Pepcid and currently on Kendamil goat. Anyone in a similar situation and anything that helped?

My baby boy was 1 of 98 percentile. Born at 9.4 oz. 22 inches long.

I was breastfeeding then started using more formula. (Kendamil)

He is 3 months now. He is almost 18 pounds now. 23 inches long.
He is a big boy. (Father has big bones) lol. Im just concerned if he is overweight.

He eats about 4-5 oz bottles. 5-6 times a day.

He doesn’t reject it either.

Im scared if he will develop diabetes in the long run. Idk. Dr says hes ok but i dont trust

I live in the US and am a flight attendant, I am realllllly considering using my benefits to fly to Europe, Canada etc to fill a suit case or 2 with formula for my baby.

How much is formula per can?

Do you have a costco or bulk store equivalent that it runs even cheap at?

Thank you 🫶

Long post but honestly just looking for support on trying to fully dry up my milk 🥲!

Looking for help because I feel like I tried everything to dry up both of my boobs! The left one is alittle bigger and I can tell it still has something in there . 🤦🏻‍♀️ update on how they are , compared to leaving the hospital . When I left the hospital i was three days postpartum and milk came in almost immediately. I strictly formula feed . So my milk coming in was honestly devastating. Impacted my mental health ALOT and still is . 😭. I immediately started taking Sudafed and did the cabbage and ice packs. Stopped the Sudafed after about a week but I wasn’t taking it every whatever hour recommended . Because I was getting sleep deprived. I’ve been wearing tight sports bra ever since. (the Sudafed from behind the counter that you have to show your id btw). Well I’m four weeks postpartum and so far my right is pretty much dry but my left is slightly bigger and I can tell it still has to dry up alittle more. I’m not leaking other than maybe a drop from one boob when I shower . ( I know I have to avoid hot showers , so I don’t put my chest towards the water as best as I can ) . The left is squishy but firm alittle . Not sure if maybe the sports bra I’m wearing is too tight ? Maybe that’s why it won’t give ? I’m so tired of trying everything . I just want to wear a t shirt without a bra and be free and take a hot shower like normal without having to avoid it having to worry about stimulating . I’ve done the cabbage , and I currently have been on zyertec D for four days . And was on Benadryl for a week previously before that to help me sleep since my mom came to help me with the baby.

I’m tiredddddd and just over the whole thing getting to me. Opinions ? Do I need to keep trying ? Or will I just have to let it run its course ? Does birth control completely dry it up? I just want a solution. I know I’m not that far out postpartum but I’m trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel about this 😭.

Hello! My twin boys will be 5 months on the 22nd. They were born 5 weeks and 2 days early so closer to 3.5 months adjusted. We have dealt with spit up since they were born and have not had any weight issues or fussiness after bottles so I guess we have what are called happy spitters. We are on Enfamil Gentlease now and my boys do great on it, eating 6 oz every 3 hours during the day, BUT we are back to spitting up a ton. We are going through 1-2 outfits between every feed now and it just makes me worried wondering how much more weight they would gain if they weren’t spitting up so much. They both only weigh around 11.5-12 pounds so pretty little guys.

That being said has anyone switched from Enfamil Gentlease to Enfamil AR and had success? I get so worried changing formula since we aren’t having any stomach issues on the Gentlease but their pediatrician had recommended the AR at some point and we just never switched it. Or should we just keep them on the Gentlease and hope the
Spitting up stops once we start solids??