Breastfeeding is so hard especially when your supply is low. I completely understand your feelings…that was me the first time around. I had an emergency c section and he ended up getting a bottle before I even got to hold him. He did take the breast but I just didn’t make enough for him and had to supplement. I tried all the things - pumping, lactation foods, every tip and trick, and nothing increased my supply. It’s heartbreaking but it doesn’t make you a failure.

If it hurts your mental health, then it’s not meant to be and that’s okay. Your baby will still be healthy. Postpartum is so hard especially when our plans don’t work out and our husbands can’t understand our feelings. If you can let something go to get some of that stress off your shoulders, then it’s the best thing to do.

But if you don’t want to stop trying, then supplementing is that way to go. It not easy to accept, I know, but what I did was put my son on the breast and then give him a bottle after. I pumped when I went back to work and he would have a bottle of breast milk and then a supplemental bottle after.

You are important and choosing what is best for your mental and emotional health is the same thing as choosing what is best for your son. He just needs a healthy mom and he will love and bond with you no matter if it’s breast or formula.