@Lennie
I believe that many of those studies were conducted back when formula wasn’t as comprehensive as it is now.
I faced a similar situation with an emergency C-section. If we could afford formula, I would use it without hesitation. As people often say, fed is best! They wouldn’t make formula if it wasn’t effective!
Congratulations on getting through childbirth! The experience can feel like a battle. There’s a reason why ancient cultures honored those who survived childbirth. I too had a straightforward pregnancy that ended up with an emergency C-section due to distress with the baby.
I couldn’t do skin-to-skin because he was at risk of hypothermia. They said formula was better for jaundice, so I tried to triple feed, but my milk didn’t come in quickly enough due to my condition. My baby had a tongue tie that we fixed too late, so he learned that the bottle was easier. In the end, I chose to pump and mix it with formula. We’ve been doing half and half, but he would likely have been fine with just formula.
Lactation consultants often focus solely on nursing without considering your overall adjustments to motherhood. Their main goal seems to be getting breast milk into the baby, no matter the cost. While they helped me increase supply, I got frustrated when they suggested it was just up to my will against his. I didn’t want to spend every moment of my postpartum fighting against my child.
Now after pumping for 9 months, I’m down to 3 pumps a day. It’s not a big time drain for me, so I’m continuing. Surprisingly, I prefer this to latching because I don’t like constant touching. I have been dropping a pump every month and will likely stop by 12 months. This isn’t my whole identity, and remember that being a mother involves a wide variety of challenges, and that’s completely normal.
The person making you feel guilty about formula feeding isn’t considering what’s best for you and your family. You’ve gone through a lot beyond your control, and breastfeeding can be quite challenging, particularly at the start. If you want to try breastfeeding, that’s fine, but remember it can be tough and impact your mental health. Your baby needs to be willing to work on it too, especially after getting used to the bottle. Pumping could be a middle ground, but as someone who has tried all feeding methods, I found pumping to be quite difficult.
My daughter was in a special care unit for 12 days, and I struggled greatly with breastfeeding. We started with a mix of formula and breast milk, but I stopped breastfeeding at 3 months. I felt like I was failing every day, but using formula made me feel better. I don’t regret trying to breastfeed, and I hope to try again with my next baby, as long as this one doesn’t have to stay in the hospital.
I want to share what my midwife told me when I was feeling stressed about being six weeks postpartum. She said, “Many formula-fed babies go on to do great things, and some breastfed babies can struggle. If it’s not working for you, don’t force yourself to do it.” You shouldn’t feel bad about this. Do what works for you.
I had an emergency c-section last week too. I missed out on skin-to-skin for days and eventually used donor milk. If my milk hadn’t come in, I would’ve gone straight to formula. Honestly, I’m not sure how long I want to breastfeed because I’d like to share more of the workload. Fed is best, and you should choose what works for you and your family. You have been through a lot. The staff at the hospital were really pushy about my decision, but I’m glad with my choice. Just take it one step at a time.
My baby couldn’t latch during the first two weeks, so I only used formula. I waited for a week and a half for my milk to come in. I kept trying to latch, but it didn’t work, so we stuck with formula. Finally, at about three weeks, he latched but it was 1. painful, and 2. he was always hungry right after nursing. So we continued with formula. Now he’s 3 months old and he nurses a bit but still prefers formula, which fills him up better. Your baby will grow just fine with formula! Don’t stress about it! You’re doing great, whether it’s breast or bottle!
Using formula is a valid choice.
I have been breastfeeding, and honestly, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done! It only works if it’s worthwhile for you and if you have proper support. I didn’t have an emergency C-section like you did; your recovery and mental health are way more important than what choice you make for feeding!
I struggled to produce enough milk and went through months of pumping while using formula. I faced a lot of pain and stress. When I finally quit, I felt regret—not just over my decision but over all the hours spent pumping instead of holding my newborn. If I have another child, I’m choosing formula from the start. The strain on my mental health was not worthwhile. My baby is thriving now on formula, and we both sleep well, too. I’m sorry things haven’t gone as you planned, but it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your situation!
We do a mix—about 0.5 to 1 ounce of breastfeeding, then 2 ounces of formula. It works for us.
Forget the pressure to breastfeed. You should do what’s best for you and your family, and that can definitely mean using formula!
I’m really sorry you’ve had a tough time. Wishing you well for you and your little one.
My baby was completely formula-fed, and I have no regrets about it. I felt some mom guilt at first because I intended to breastfeed. But I’ll share what my OB told me when I worried: one day, they’ll be eating snacks off the floor of your car, regardless of whether they were breastfed or formula-fed.
The staff in the hospital will absolutely pressure you to breastfeed. They truly believe it’s crucial, disregarding aspects like your mental well-being and sharing the newborn care responsibilities with your partner.
The reality is that there’s minimal difference in outcomes for breastfed and formula-fed babies. Neither is inherently better than the other. Formula has saved countless lives.
I’m sorry you had to experience this! As someone who is breastfeeding, I want to say: feed your baby however you want! The benefits of your mental health outweigh the small advantages of breast milk! Though breast milk has its perks, they’re quite minor and the long-term benefits are pretty questionable. No matter what choice you make, others will judge you. Plenty of breastfeeding moms face scrutiny from those who think formula is better. Just do what’s best for you and ignore the noise! Congrats on your little one and on finding what works for you! Breastfeeding can be tough, so it’s impressive that you can bypass it!
(I chose to breastfeed because it fits our lifestyle, and I’m fortunate to have a good sleeper at night, so nighttime duties haven’t been overwhelming for me! But I’d switch to formula without hesitation if I felt it became too difficult, even though my pediatrician is very passionate about breastfeeding.)
My best friend had no interest in breastfeeding and used formula from the beginning. Her son is a happy and healthy 2-year-old! I felt guilty about breastfeeding for 5 months, hated it every moment, and wished I had formula-fed sooner. My kid loves formula! Would you judge someone else for deciding to use formula? No? So don’t judge yourself, and don’t let anyone else make you feel like you aren’t doing enough! Fed is best 
I wish I had just stuck to formula. It would have been much easier for me.
Please take care of your mental and physical health. If bottle feeding works for you and your baby, that’s what’s important.
Breastfeeding is a fantastic choice only if it’s not causing you stress. If it does, don’t do it.
- from a mom of 3 exclusively breastfed kids
For what it’s worth, when I weaned my first child around 9 months and switched to formula until she turned one (and then we started her on cow’s milk) I discovered just how easy it is, and I didn’t mind weaning at all. It’s truly simple.
Don’t feel bad; there are many ways to bond with your child.
You should head over to the formula feeders subreddit to connect with other parents who formula feed. I tried breastfeeding for a while, but it was tough for us, so switching to formula felt like a relief without any guilt needed. Just focus on feeding your baby how you see fit.