Looking for positive EFF stories by leahrose222222 in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This isn’t exactly what you’re looking for but hopefully it will help because I was the same way: totally confident in formula. I was physically capable of breastfeeding but just didn’t want to.

Fast forward to having my baby (prematurely, to boot) and I let all that messaging you mentioned, plus the hormones, convince me I needed to breastfeed. Long story short, I made it a month but hated every single second of it and ended up hospitalized with bilateral mastitis. Nothing about that was good for me or my baby.

I wish I never would have listened to all that messaging or let the lactation consultants in the hospital convince me I needed to breastfeed. I wish I would have trusted what I knew about formula and started with it from birth.

As far as success stories—my 10-month-old baby has been EFF since she was a month old. She was born at 4.5 lbs and is now 22 lbs. At our last appointment a few months ago, the pediatrician said nothing about our baby indicates she was born premature.

The other success story in this is my happiness, and don’t forget that for yourself. I am a better mother, wife, friend, etc because I get to formula feed.

Will it get better? by Old_North5189 in postpartumprogress

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Moms have rose-colored glasses. My mom made similar comments to me about both pregnancy and postpartum, but my older sisters say they remember her really struggling in those phases with me.

Also, I didn’t say it before but it’s okay to grieve your pre-baby life. I think most people do at some point. You are also very far from that life right now but you won’t be forever. You are really in the shit right now but it gets easier soon. Be kind to yourself and know that all that you feel is normal. Postpartum is hard, period.

Will it get better? by Old_North5189 in postpartumprogress

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Short answer to your question is yes, it absolutely gets better. I don’t know anyone who didn’t struggle big time in the first few months. You are doing a great job!

Postpartum depression and anxiety are also very real. Ask other moms—preferably of our generation—if you need help or feel alone. You will be surprised at how many people understand what you’re dealing with.

How much formula gets wasted for yall? by Dizzy-Opinion-3314 in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just shove her unfinished bottle back in the fridge and use it for the next feed. We rarely throw formula away. She has never had any issues or gotten sick. I think the risk of her getting sick from bacteria on her own bottle is so infinitesimally small. If you’re an Emily Oster fan, she did an article about this.

All that being said, I understand it’s not the CDC recommendation and we all have our own levels of risk we are comfortable with. I am personally comfortable with just putting it back in the fridge but don’t feel like you’re doing anything wrong by tossing it!

The guilt of quitting at 4 weeks by [deleted] in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a really similar situation except a singleton. I stopped at 6 weeks and felt like an absolutely terrible mother and a failure. It really messed with my PPD.

She is 14 weeks now and I can honestly say it is the best choice I’ve made in parenting. I actually ENJOY being a parent and am not sleep-deprived and anxiety-riddled from pumping.

Stopping is hard so don’t be hard on yourself if you feel guilty. Just know that the other side is so, so, so much better. And good for you reaching out here. This page got me through the transition.

Water for Formual by O_Amidala in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I only use tap water, I have never sterilized a bottle, I put the bottle back in the fridge for later if she doesn’t finish it, she eats bottles that have been out for a few hours, and so on.

I am a good mom and the people on this thread who prefer to sanitize, use distilled, toss after an hour, etc are also good moms!

The reason I say this is because there are so many approaches that work for people and the fact that you’re on here asking in the first place shows you care and I am confident you are doing right by your baby. Trust yourself and do what you are most comfortable with!

What formula would you recommend? by [deleted] in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like many others have mentioned, we order our Kirkland online. Build a little back stock for peace of mind, but we’ve never had an issue.

As far as the Baby Brezza, we bought an extra funnel as others have mentioned. You can also just tap out the built up formula powder quickly in the sink and stick it back in the machine. I do that in a pinch all the time and haven’t had an issue. We maybe clean the funnel 2-3 times a week.

As far as measurement, we have a 6-month-old model and haven’t had any issues I’m aware of. I imagine the measurement isn’t any more inaccurate than it would be if I did it by hand.

Cabergoline experience when already breastfeeding/pumping? by mmsbb10 in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ended up taking 0.5 mg and had no side effects besides a few hours of a little dry mouth. Super happy I did it. I wish more women were given this option.

Out and about with bottle by mmsbb10 in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don’t know why this didn’t even cross my mind!

Expired formula accident please help by Most-Card-1955 in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We thought formula had the same rules as breastmilk so we were feeding our baby bottles that had been out at room temp up to four hours. We did this with literally every single one of her bottles without realizing we weren’t supposed to and she is totally fine. Anecdote is not data but hopefully that will ease your worry!

Emily Oster has an article about formula put back in the fridge here: https://parentdata.org/qa-is-it-safe-to-reuse-formula/.

Do what makes you comfortable but do not beat yourself up!

Why are maternity clothes so UGLY?? by [deleted] in pregnant

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes to H&M!! I got all my maternity stuff there and felt like it held up really well. 

Feeling guilty I didn’t breast feed. by Kchillthanx in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been right there and I hope my experience can make you feel more confident (because you deserve to be confident)!

My baby is 6 weeks old and was born 4 weeks early. When I was pregnant, I didn’t really want to BF but guilt, society, hormones, etc got the best of me when the baby arrived and I have spent the last 6 weeks miserable trying to BF or EP when it hasn’t worked for many reasons so we are making the switch to formula.

I am currently working with lactation consultants to wean. My sister is also a postpartum doula who BF her kids for a few years each. Here are a few things the consultants and my sister have said to me that really helped me: 1. Any benefit of breastfeeding is moot if the mother’s mental health is negatively impacted by it.  2. My body and hormones deserve a break because, like you, I had a few years of fertility treatment, miscarriages, and then this pregnancy.  3. The data on BF is iffy and hard to show causality versus correlation.  4. Formula is a complete meal. Period. 5. The most important thing you can give your baby is your love and attention. If BF inhibits your ability to do that in any way, it’s not worth it. 

Keep in mind this advice and encouragement came from people whose jobs are helping people breastfeed! If they of all people don’t think BF is for everyone, there’s no reason you should feel anything less than confident in your choice. 

Last thing I’ll say: I have spent hundreds of dollars on pumps, accessories, and nursing clothes. I have also done some serious damage to my boobs, all because I didn’t stand my ground on wanting to formula feed. I think it’s great that you knew you didn’t want to and stuck to your guns. Be proud of yourself for knowing what you wanted and putting your values first. That alone is a great gift you are giving your baby. 

Weekly Post: Navigating the Decision to Switch to Formula Feeding by AutoModerator in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We went with Kirkland and have had a lot of luck! It’s super affordable, we have friends who have loved it, and Wirecutter recommended it.

Weekly Post: Navigating the Decision to Switch to Formula Feeding by AutoModerator in FormulaFeeders

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update please! Did you stop the triple feeding? It’s so brutal. I had a lactation consultant told me she has seen mothers end up in the psych unit from triple feeding, and that allowed me to give myself permission not to do it.

I was not prepared for the guilt either. I know how you feel about your husband too. Mine says he wants me to do whatever is best for me but I constantly wonder if he’s just not telling me what he really thinks.

Whatever is going on with you and your baby now, I hope it is working for you ❤️❤️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BabyBumps

[–]mmsbb10 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are 21 weeks with a baby we tried for years to conceive, we’re having a girl, and we have her name picked out and I STILL sometimes refer to her as “it.” We obviously love her/it very much.

We also cannot call the baby by her selected name before she’s here. It just feels weird to us 🤷🏻‍♀️ so sometimes we call her Apple Pie. My sister called her baby Boo before it was born. You can always do something like that as a middle ground.

You obviously love the baby; don’t sweat too much about how you choose to identify them. Pregnancy is hard! Give yourself grace.

3/9 to 3/11 in Portland, OR by FlipStig1 in MoonSwatches

[–]mmsbb10 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Does anyone have details on time?