moosh in indy. » they’re purely ornamental.

July 27, 2008

I didn’t breastfeed. the moosh had a bottle within the first 24 hours of her life.

She was bottle fed with formula for her entire first year of life.

And guess what? She’s darn healthy and well adjusted for a little kid who had a bottle shoved down her maw for the first 12 months of her life.

Now some die hard breastfeeding mother out there is grumbling at me.

I tried.

Boy howdy did I try.

In the first few moments after she was born, I nursed her. It was so easy, so natural. Even the nurses said I made it look too easy. After the first day, things weren’t going so well. I was bleeding, I was chapped, I was sore. I dreaded nursing her. Nurses and lactation consultants came in to help (read, lactation consultants came in and felt me up something fierce.) Yet nothing came out, not even the colostrum they promised me would come. the tiny moosh screamed, and after a bottle she calmed down, she fell asleep, and I felt relieved. (And when I say relieved I mean I felt a huge amount of guilt for giving my child a bottle because I was going to be nurser extraordinaire.) There was no physical change in my boobs. Not throughout pregnancy, not after birth. (Well, except for the saggy thing. Darn you sag.)

Pediatricians and nurses kept telling me to KEEP UP WITH THE NURSING! My milk would come! Don’t give up! Don’t be one of those moms! Nursing will save society! I promised them I would.

Thus began my ritual of nurse, feed, pump. Every time the moosh woke up to eat I would start by nursing her, even though nothing was coming out. I would then have to bottle feed her because homegirl was hungry and pissed that all I did was shove an empty boob in her mouth. When she was finally settled down it was time for me to pump.

Encourage those puppies to produce!

Yet nothing ever came out. The only thing that hit the inside of that bottle was my sore bleeding nipple.

I did this at every feeding for two weeks.

I tried Reglan.

Correction, I was prescribed Reglan but the good pharmacist caught that I had a history of anti depressants and encouraged me to talk with the doctor that prescribed it. When I told the doctor that I was prone to intense depression he said “DO NOT TAKE THAT REGLAN.” Apparently Reglan, let loose in a postpartum woman’s system with a history of depression can lead to the postpartum woman jumping in front of moving cars and stuff.

Way to take a good history DOCTOR.

This is when I began to realize not a single doctor or nurse who forced nursing upon me was aware of my sickness while pregnant. I got pregnant at 180 pounds, I went home from the hospital with a new baby at 120 pounds.
That’s how sick I was.

No one bothered to consider that I was so emaciated from cooking that little baby that I had absolutely no reserves left for making milk. How could they? As soon as the moosh came out I was done with the puking.

I called the lactation consultant assigned to my boobs and asked her if there was a possibility that it would be physically impossible for me to nurse due to my HG while pregnant.

“I suppose” she said.

“Well then I’m done, this is ridiculous. You can come pick up your machine (pump) tomorrow.”

“But ma’am! There’s so much you haven’t tried! Brewer’s yeast! Supplemental nursers!”

I cut her off. “I am bloody, I am tired, my body is physically incapable of providing milk for my baby. I was bottle fed and I turned out okay. I’m sure my kid will too. Thank you.”

And guess what? The guilt was gone. the moosh was bottle fed, which was actually a huge blessing for me because it allowed others to watch her while I recovered from some serious postpartum depression.

So there you go.

I didn’t breastfeed. I tried. My body failed me.

Bummer.

126 Comments so far
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I tried to breastfeed both of my children, and it didn’t work with either of them. There just wasn’t anything there. I was crushed the first time. The second time, I was ready for it.

Nicholes last blog post..Sheltered

The same thing happened to my cousin who has a five week old. After a week the baby, who was born five pounds on time, got down to 3.5 and it turned out she’d been sucking but nothing was coming out.

I don’t know why others feel like chastising those who opt to not breastfeed (as well as those who tried). To each her own!

Camels & Chocolates last blog post..Your Body is a Wonderland

I agree, to each their own. I seriously considered formula feeding this time around and did supplement during the first week before my milk actually came. Lil’ bugger was STARVING and colostrum wasn’t cutting it.

I wish now I had done the same with Carter.

*hugs* Love ya C.

There is no room in my life for those who will bitch someone out for not breastfeeding.

There is a special place in hell reserved for the evangelical breast feeding cult of shame.

Backpacking Dads last blog post..The Great Interview Experiment

I nursed both of my kids. With GREAT difficulties. Neither of them ever latched, I was always painfully engorged and many people made me feel guilty because of it. “How can you not love it? It is so natural! So bonding! So beautiful!”

Both of my children and I were so much happier when we quit. I am pretty easy going about most things in motherhood but this is not one of them. To all those who cast judgment on others: PLEASE MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

Amber’s Crazy Bloggin’ Canucks last blog post..Busted at BlogHer ‘08–Part II

Oh ow! The puking and the bloody owie ta-tas. Why the h-e-double-toothpicks didn’t they start you with the SNS? And offer some help for the owies?

That’s some pretty incredible advice. Take this potentially deadly medicine, listen to your baby scream, pump on bleeding sores, and–what? You’re giving up?

I am a big time nursing mom (it’s free and my only chance in this life for ta-tas), but babies thrive with formula. It’s not arsenic. It’s a healthy, well-balanced milk replacement. And it grows great looking kids. (Nice picture of your kids, BTW.)

Jamis last blog post..V & W are right next to each other.

From one “ornamental” (more or less) mom to another… three times over in fact… Cheers! I get so sick of the chastisement I received (and still do for not trying harder)… there are many times I think if I could just have one more, I would try extra hard this time to make it work… it’s the one thing I always felt like I failed at as a mother. But you know what? My kids are happy and healthy and well adjusted, I even have a practically perfect in every way teenage boy (knock on wood)! So guess what? Piss on the fact that none of them were breastfed. Piss on those who choose to piss on you and anyone else who couldn’t make it work either!

One of my best friends recently had a baby and I was shocked SHOCKED by the treatment she received from her lactation consultants. They called her at home and harassed and made her cry and don’t new moms already give themselves enough reasons to feel bad about themselves?

slynnros last blog post..New Stuff and a Question

very scary that your doctor rx a drug that would cause problems for you ?? thank god for the pharmacist…some one doing there job.

everyone needs to do what is best for their family.

feeners last blog post..Why I should join twitter

I thought breastfeeding was going to be sooo easy! It’s one of those things that NOBODY warned me about! It was SOOO much harder than I thought it was going to be. With Lina I had nurses grabbing my boobs and shoving my 4 pounder’s little head into them. SHE SCREAMED! My boobs were just too honkin’ huge for the poor thing. I did feed both my girls breast milk for the first 4 months and it was easier the second time around but I know a lot of kiddos out there who were just fed formula and they are just fine! I say do what works best for you! You already have so much to deal with after giving birth! I think every mom feels guilty about something when they have a baby. I cried and felt horribly guilty when I had to stop nursing. Oh- and Reglan didn’t do crap for me!

I feel your pain. I had no problem producing milk, but since my nipples are kind of flat, my baby had nothing to latch onto and would just scream and spit and holler while I tried to ram my taut-as-a-drum aereola into her mouth. It was awful. I am due with my second in 5 weeks and am going to give it an honest try again since every baby is different, but I think I will almost be relieved to yank out the ol’ bottle again.

Amanda Browns last blog post..Tiny Injustices

I wish there was some way I could make you feel guiltier about this. Because that would make the world a better place

I adore you and I applaud you and your honesty.
You know yourself so well and follow your instincts, that’s fabulous.

rachels last blog post..The Day I Broke My Vagina

I nursed both my boys but I’m far from a nazi about it. I even gave a friend the advice not to do it because she felt so uncomfortable about it. For me it was great but I can see how someone wouldn’t want to do it-and for pete’s sake! Those who can’t, for whatever reason, shouldn’t be made to feel like less of a mom. God gave us great formula for a reason.

Headless Moms last blog post..Wait! Come Back!

I have to de-lurk and leave a comment because this post was so funny! And so true for so many women. Thanks for sharing!

a.mens last blog post..Pioneer Day & a New Do

It’s so, so great you stood up for yourself. That’s the best thing you could’ve done for the moosh, so it’s a double win!

Megans last blog post..Dry Spell

I have 3 friends (4 counting you!) who physically weren’t able to nurse. One who’s milk glands didn’t connect to her nipples, one who’d had “pre breast cancer” spots removed from her breasts, and one who at this time is giving up. She’s got a 3 month old and still has bloody nipples. I’d say that’s about 2 months longer than I’d have done it!
Breast may be best, but when it’s not possible hey, you do what you gotta do! And I just told those lactation people who were feeling me up to shove it! It felt good after all the crap we went through in the hospital!

Kristas last blog post..Creation X2

Way to stick to your guns… ha ha.

Breastfeeding is the one true religion! Ok, not so much, I agree that those who are NOT YOU should not try to tell YOU what to do.

Tell them to try sucking on their own Darn Tatas!

Reeses last blog post..Ready, Aim,

I took Reglan in spite of my history of clinical depression, and it kicked my ass. I actually said to my mom, “She (as in the baby) just won’t be safe until she’s big enough not to fit in the microwave.”

Seriously.

I did damage to my child. I did damage to my marriage. I did damage to my relationships with everyone close to me (including losing a dear friend who I’ve only recently gotten back in touch with 3 years later).

There’s guilt on both sides. Even though I nursed her until she was 28 months old, tandem nursed through my next pregnancy and my second child’s first 9 months of life, I get to suffer the guilt of knowing that I seriously damaged a lot of previously healthy relationships.

That reglan is BAD NEWS.

Good for you for doing what was right for you and for the Moosh, and don’t let anyone give you guilt.

And in my case, if it was going to screw up my entire life, well, at least it brought the milk in, finally. I would’ve been pissed if I’d screwed up everything to get milk, and still hadn’t had it!

Amy @ http://prettybabies.blogspot.com

Amys last blog post..I can haz books?

Ugh. I’m so sick of the mom nazis. Breastfeed or your a failure…let your baby cry when it is manipulating you to pick it up (ie you’ve done everything and it just wants cuddles at 4am)? You will traumatize it for life. SO insane. I get that women want to be good mothers, and they want to believe mistakes will never be made, but every woman, baby and home is different and you can’t sit there and judge others. Grrr to people mumbling at you!

ElizabethSheryls last blog post..Happy Birthday, To Me

Good for you for giving it your all! And good for you for stopping a losing battle. I breast fed for a couple months, but both my kids had a lot of formula as infants and they’re FINE as well.

And? Depression sucks. So do doctors who do not pay attention to it.

Mrs. Wilsons last blog post..Duty

Look, I nursed my bio kids for a year each and pumped extra for 4 months for the kid we adopted. I was hard-core.

But then as now I DO NOT advocate telling anyone that they MUST nurse. If you ever hear from any titty nazis please just send them my way and I’ll knock some sense into them.

Good on you for doing what you knew was right for all of you.

Erika Jurneys last blog post..Thank god I had my roots done

I didn’t breast feed either of my boys. ( Oldest was in NICU for 12 hours while mama slept off general anathesia from emergency c-section ). Did I just say that out loud?! A c-section and bottle feeding!!!??? What kind of mother am I ???? ( A great one, by the way!)

If there is one thing I can’t stand, it’s people who try to shove their values down someone else’s throat. How can they have any idea what you’re going through? You know what? Nursing was easy for me. I can’t imagine not having done it. But I am not you, so my experience doesn’t equal yours. I can’t stand breastfeeding nazis. It gives the rest of us a bad name. I would never judge someone for not breastfeeding. It’s a personal choice, or in your case, just the way it goes. You tried. Good for you. Even if you didn’t, it’s your choice.

capperoos last blog post..Flowers from the garden

I didn’t breastfeed at all. Didn’t want to. Didn’t try. Didn’t have them check “breast” on the little card they gave me at check in for my unnatural birth - a c-section- Gasp! Some folks can do it all- more power to you. The rest of us have to do what we can to survive. Mine was bottle fed, too, and she’s sick less than both of her best friends who were breastfed. SO- while I’m sure the breast is best- it wasn’t best for my family, and I’m thrilled to report a happy, healthy, smart child in spite of my choice.

(here comes the hate mail)

Amy C.s last blog post..Time Out

Since Maddie came out almost 12 weeks early, my body was completely unprepared to make milk. I would go to the NICU and the nurses would give me a hard time about not bringing in milk. So I would attach myself to a pump every three hours for 20 minutes, and I’d get maybe an ounce if I was lucky. Then my doctor put me on Reglan - twice - which we now know was a huuuge mistake because it sent me off the deep end.

Finally, my daughter’s pediatrician said, “why are you doing this to yourself? You are allowed to give her formula, you know.” I wish someone had said that to me sooner.

Heathers last blog post..My Daughter, The Dress Up Doll

I didn’t breastfeed either. *Ducks and runs for cover*

Puking an entire pregnancy and bloody ta-tas…. Yeah, I’d be looking for a little break too. Everyone has to do what is right for them. I wish the nurses and doctors would have that tone versus making women feel it’s wrong to not breastfeed. Breastfeeding was NOT the thing to do when I was a baby. Now it is… Will it cycle again? Who knows…that’s how it goes and an even bigger point to do what you want…your body, your kid.

Toast 2 Moms last blog post..My Life on the Mommy Blog "D" List

I couldn’t breastfeed either, and I’m ashamed to say it. We all have to do what’s best for us, and our families.

catnips last blog post..have you heard about Schuyler?

I love that you’re so honest about the entire trial you went through. It is every woman’s personal choice, but it’s also very honorable that you tried your DAMNEDEST.

A Whole Lot of Nothings last blog post..Weekly Winners 7.20-7.26

you’re body didn’t fail you, sweetie. on the contrary, it was doing it’s job and taking care of you!

crazedparents last blog post..A lesson in SEO and other random bits…

I didn’t breastfeed my 3 kids either. I could go into an explanation, but it’s a little long for a comment. Anyway, I don’t believe there is anything wrong with bottle feeding. A mom has to do what a mom has to do!

Mrs. Schmittys last blog post..What’s A Few More Grey Hairs?

I think you should be commended for trying, especially after what you’d been through for those nine months. And your assertiveness with the nurse was awesome. You made the effort, it didn’t work out and formula is not Satan’s milk for goodness sakes. I nursed for four months, pumped for two more after that and then switched to formula. It’s a personal decision. Nobody’s business.
danas last blog post..BlogHer ‘08: Thursday Edition

Dude. I am a lactation consultant and would have come to the same conclusion you did. Moosh looks awesome and healthy, you needed to feel awesome and healthy. No milk, no brainer.

You are not a cow. You are a mommy and a woman and so much more than a cow. I think breastfeeding is great when possible, admirable even. But it is not the secret to parenting that everyone seems to think it is.

Barb @ getupandplays last blog post..I actually cried over this one…

You gave it all you could. I was seriously going nuts trying to breast feed my twins when I finally gave it up. We were all much happier. My girls are perfectly healthy and happy.

And my mom is a lamaze instructor. Oh the guilt.

Mama Ginger Trees last blog post..I Need to Get This Off My Chest

I didn’t nurse my oldest past 4 weeks. Sore, bloody, chapped, aching nipples were too much for me. That and I didn’t produce much. Probably because I couldn’t relax during latch-on due to the excruciating pain. After getting mastitis, I was done.

You do what you have to do for your health and sanity. Is breast better? Maybe, probably. Is bottle bad? Definitely not.

At least you tried. Good for you! And good for you for realizing bottles are okay.

Hillarys last blog post..Swimming Lessons

Aww Casey - thank you for sharing.

oh and did you ever do a video for that contest?

Martys last blog post..Exhausted!!!!

I pumped with all three. It was awful and I hated every second of it. People should shut their pie-holes about feeding choices.

Sues last blog post..Confessions of a Sneaky Mom

Eh, you do what you have to do, it’s nobody’s business how you choose to raise your child. People are always too fond of butting into other’s personal choices. I’ve heard all kinds of crazy old wives tales about the ‘miracles’ of breastfeeding. What, they grow horns if you don’t?

Rachels last blog post..Modern Technology

Nope. I never got milk either. And when kid 2 was born 13 months later, none then either.
I fed them beer from day one. Made the sleep issues so much easier.

mJs last blog post..I’m going to talk about p*nis a little more.

My mom says I was too lazy to breastfeed. All the other kids did it properly, but not me. Then when I was about three weeks old, the house was hit by a tornado. Away went the roof and any chance that my mom’s body would continue to produce milk for me.

I had to be on special uber-expensive formula. And I’m perfectly well adjusted, good-looking, brainy and humble.

I’d love to breast-feed my future kids, but if it doesn’t happen, oh well.

Sherrys last blog post..Deep in the Heart of Texas

Wow, reading these comments was nearly as interesting as reading the post!

I had a terrible time with my second daughter and felt so angry and bitter at the OTHER people who wanted ME to endure such pain and frustration. It seemed like my success would somehow make them right. Baby be darned.

I find it curious now with my 10mo old - I’m still nursing, though I stopped with my other four somewhere between 4 and 6 months. Now that I’m a little older, I think I have been able to handle it longer. But maybe that’s only because he hasn’t bitten me yet…;)

Stacey @ Happy Are Wes last blog post..The Offer

This kind of stuff ticks me off, not that you didn’t breastfeed, but that SOMEBODY ELSE has decided to make your decision their business (at least that’s what it sounds like).

I breastfed my son for WAAAAY longer than I thought I would, but I have never felt that I am somehow better than someone who did not. (it’s actually something I say under my breath).

On the flip side of the coin, I have been attacked rather viciously for being a breastfeeder. It’s why I swore off playgroups for good. Go figure.

Why can’t people just mind their own dang business?

Don’t let this woman give you pause, you know what’s best for you and your child.

Natalies last blog post..A Tale of Baseball, Elvis and Glow Sticks

I went to a WIC breastfeeding class in Utah, where we lived at the time, and the instructor said very few women have problems not producing enough milk. HAHA She should have said if your newborn is awake screaming for 7 hours straight give her a bottle and don’t look back!

My first baby starved and screamed non stop for 2 1/2 weeks before we gave her a bottle, then she shut up and went to sleep! With my second was bottle fed from the begining and is very healthy. Actually both of my kids are TONS healthier than any of my friends’ kids who were breastfeed. I have no guilt what so ever about bottle feeding.

Thanks for sharing your story. I really hate the close mindedness of some people. PS- I did not find breast feeding natural at all, quite contrary, it felt UNNATUAL to me!

Oh, you are seriously speaking words right from my heart. I decided that it was not worth my unhappiness to breastfeed. I was one irritable momma…all because of breastfeeding. As soon as I decided to give it up I actually liked having a baby. =)
Thank you for blogging! You are definitely one popular woman, and I have found out why. All my bloggin’ friends have said “do you read moosh in indy?” What you write about people relate to, and I love that you write “real” stuff.

Evonne Sells last blog post..Thunder

Breastfeeding can be HARD! I had the bleeding, cracking and engorgement. My milk didn’t fully come in for about a week. My poor kid was so hungry. I felt like a failure giving him formula.

The place I was working when he was born (a TV/radio station) did not have a lactation room.

Two other people were pregnant along with me. We’d end up in the ladies restroom because there was a separate room with a couch where the anchors put on their makeup.

Someone complained to HR so they turned an old recording booth into a Mom’s Room. It was the size of a closet, smelled like mildew and could only fit one person.

It made a difficult situation that much harder. To each her own!

Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommys last blog post..Where the Magic Happens

Good for you. Seriously. I’m a big believer that you gotta do what works for you and everyone else be danged. Can I nurse my daughter? Yes, but I’d be the last person to lord that over anyone else. Doesn’t make me a better mother, doesn’t make my daughter a better kid. It could have just as easily gone the other way and I could have had to formula feed.

So no excuses are needed. You da bomb, yo.

Marilyns last blog post..I think it caught up with me

Totally bottle fed both of my babies, now 14 and 10. Totally did it because I was taking anti depressants, big history of depression in the family. Especially post baby. They are FINE, great girls. They did not grow horns or die because of the bottle. Don’t give it another thought doll. You rock.

michelle lamars last blog post..Not in the Mood for Teen Humor…

Sounds like you totally did the right thing. My goodness, sure breastfeeding is great, but let’s not make it into one more thing to make mothers feel guilty over the rest of their lives.

Also, thanks for linking to HER. I also had HG (but only for the first 5 months and I only lost 10-15 pounds) with both pregnancies, had to quit school and job and I was never made aware of what was wrong with me until AFTER I had my first child. I found HER on my own. Everyone kept telling me to just keep eating saltine crackers and I wanted to knock them out.

Especially helpful was the OBGYN that said “Some women throw up more than others.” Wow. Thanks for that golden nugget there!

Ninas last blog post..Here It Is. Make What You Will With It.

I breastfed all 3 of mine, produced enough milk to feed a small third world country. I loved it, loved my kids….it sure didn’t keep my youngest from getting cancer.

You love the moosh, you are a great mommy doing what you can AS you can. SCREW anyone who pretends to know what’s best for you and yours.

Anissa@Hope4Peytons last blog post..Turtles, Hips and Chocolate Cake

I am so glad that you wrote that story - I wish when I was going through a similar situation I had stories like these to call - It took me three months to start forumla feeding and by six months my boobs were all mine again - I had milk supply, but we just couldn’ get that connection right - natural - yeah right! Anyway, thanks again - There should be more people out there celebrating the fact that we have managed to give birth to wonderful chidlren rather then how we choose (or made) to sustain them.

Allycats last blog post..Dante’s Inferno(s)

I’m not sure you’re body failed you, so much as letting you know that something wasn’t working for you and the little bitty moosh! She looks like a gorgeous and healthy little girl now!

Megs last blog post..Raspberries!

Look at all of these comments. Isn’t it a shame that first time mothers often go in thinking the baby just pops out and you stick it on your boob and all is well? So many women have problems, some of them big problems. I had the same situation as you - my body just never made any milk. I tried, I tried that ridiculous milking machine pump and took fenugreek until I smelled like a walking bottle of maple syrup. I had to stop. I grieved. And now, just like you, I have a BEAUTIFUL little kid who I adore, and who is healthy and happy. Thank you for sharing this with all of us!

Rachaels last blog post..Banana Mondays: A Tale of Three Heartbreaks

i had four c-sections and tried to nurse all of my kids. out of the four only one of them could have been successful at it. the girls didn’t like the taste of the breast milk. i’m not kidding! they would get a taste and pull away and make a face. i pumped and put it in a bottle to see if it would make it easier and same thing! total rejection. one boy was tongue-tied which we didn’t discover until he was 4 months old…long after i had given up the 45 minute breast feedins and then giving him formula from a bottle with a nipple with a huge hole that the milk poured from. when we found out that he needed to have his tongue clipped the doctor asked if i breastfed. he said that there was no way he could have latched on with the way his tongue was. the one boy who could have done it didn’t get to because i was a little postpartum and having severe migraines. i opted to take the migraine meds so i could function and just bottle feed. all four have turned out beautifully. i say to each his own!

natalies last blog post..Cultural Differences

My attempts at breast feeding lasted 5 days - I was producing milk but oh my god how my nipples hurt. They were cracked and chapped and bleeding and every time i sat down to nurse I would fall to pieces and cry and cry and cry at the pain of it. Then because I was trying to rush feeds the blonde kid was always hungry!!

I gave in and bottle fed - best choice I ever made - no more screaming baby, no more screaming mommy oh and how nice it was to be able to sleep!!!

Stephs last blog post..The boy next door.

Last post you wrote about late-night nesting.

This post is about breastfeeding.

Are you trying to tell us something?

SciFi Dads last blog post..We Are Family

Meh. My body fails me all the time. I’m no mother or anything, but I “forgive” you nevertheless. I don’t care if you didn’t nurse the moosh.

Camilles last blog post..Does This Playlist Make My Blog Look Fat?

Failed Breastfeeders Unite!! I made it 6 weeks before my meager production became too lame for my baby. She was freaking starving, the poor thing. When I finally stopped, I never leaked or became engorged or anything. The only pain was my sore nipples and that guilty ache I had. Which went away eventually- especially after she finally gained some weight!!!

Had to laugh at the ‘Nursing will save society!’ line. Some people really act like that’s a fact. um… okay?

OH man, that sums it up for me. My baby was almost 10 lbs. at birth, and she was hungry the minute she came out. My boobs just didn’t produce any milk. Like 1 oz every 3 hrs. So, like you, I nursed first, then bottle, then pump, then rinse and repeat. I was so exhausted and this went on for 7 weeks. Finally my husband had the sense to say “what are you doing to yourself?” “its ok to stop”. Huge sigh of relief. I don’t know why I had to let someone else tell me it was ok to stop.Can’t tell you how many people looked down their noses at me. My bottle fed kids are healthier than most of their friends. Take that lactation nazis.

Some might say I have no right to speak on the subject (as a non-mommy), but I’m gonna.

I’m soooo sick of nursing mothers judging non-nursing mothers! Yes, I hope to be able to breast feed when I have children. But am I going to put myself through hell in order to do so? No, because it wouldn’t be good for myself or the baby.

I’ve had friends who’ve nursed exclusively for the first year of their baby’s lives. Good for them. But stop judging the moms who just are doing what’s best for their familes.

You made the right choice for you and your family. And obviously your little girl is healthy as can be. So poo to all those doctors and nurses and exclusive breast-feeding mommies.
Hollys last blog post..Busted

I nursed AND bottle fed 3 out of my 4 kids (the boy just flat out refused bottles). Would I EVER tell another woman that she HAD to do one or the other? No. That’s not my place. Would I look down on someone who didn’t/couldn’t/wouldn’t nurse? No. That’s not my place. Everyone has to do what is best for them and their child. Anyone who thinks otherwise thinks too much of themself.

Kristins last blog post..Well bitching isn’t helpful

You can only do your best! Once anything gets to be painful, or irritating it’s so not worth it!

erins last blog post..I am the Dancing Queen!

i hate breastfeeding nazis.
i nursed my kids for as long as i my poor, sore, bleeding, purple nipples could handle. and i gave them bottles. and i gave them formula. and i got a lot of shit for it.

each mother needs to do what works for HER. to me it falls in the same place as the working vs sah moms. drives me nuts that there are so many JUDGERS out there.

alis last blog post..hi, i’m ali and i am an internet liar

Nothing makes me more angry than medical personnel who treat all women the same. Not looking into your history, not paying attention to your weight loss, the fact that you had to ask these things and that the answers were always so flippant and condescending, ARRRRGGGGGH. It pisses me off so much. It’s scary, we just have to be our own advocates, and I get that, but a little support and guidance from the professionals would be nice, no?

The Moosh, breastfed or not, is beyond lucky to have you.

maggie, dammits last blog post..pfffffffffffffffft (the sound of my new poofy head leaking)*** UPDATED

http://sweetsammigirl.blogspot.com/2008/06/breast-feeding-tone.html

The sad thing is ~ I blogged on this at 11 weeks preggers, I’m already getting the hairy eye again about whether we’ll breastfeed. It never once occured to me that the HG would contribute to that failure (nor did any of my bf advisors mention that “puking hourly for nine months may kill this ability”) I had one lactation nurse tell me that babies HATE the taste of formula. Seriously? I have yet to see a kid push the bottle away screaming because of the taste.

And I’m on Reglan for the HG (in a pump for continuous dosage) & I don’t have a history of severe depression ~ I can feel it taking its toll on me … it works but I’m depressed. Lovely.

Bellamommas last blog post..Who’s supposed to keep this straight?

Oh Hun! I went through the exact same thing. I was given crap about it to. All that matters is that we did what is best for us and our babies. Mom’s need to quit picking on mom’s, its the worst!I have three children one was breastfed, one I tried and lasted a week, and one who never had a boob in her life, and the one who never had the boob is our healthiest.

Yay for you!!!

Good for you! I’ve definitly had a few nurses try to give me all theie opinions, one even asked me if I fed my son. It was finally discovered that I make milk, it just sucks. So my son became a formula fed little happy boy. You’re a great mom because you followed you instinct, which is to help the baby survive - you fed her.
On another note I laugh everytime I see a wunderbar as it makes me think of you.

Alanas last blog post..Ode to a Crappy Phone

Have I told you that I love you?

I confess I am a boob nazi. Nursed both my babies until they were 18 months old. Great experience for me and I think for them too.

I have no room to look so much as sideways at anyone who is using the bottle. You respect your body, your baby better than anyone else and I will smite anyone else who says differently. Way to go for smiling and dancing the way you do. It sounds like a dark tunnel and I am so glad that you are back in the light!

Shannon Martinezs last blog post..Thank you To Mary

The fact that people feel the need to critique other’s choices in life is arrogant and irritating. What is best for you is best for your baby. And that’s all that’s important.

Julias last blog post..Eiffel Tower

You didn’t breastfeed and the moosh doesn’t have flippers where her hands should be? I don’t believe it.

Jen Ms last blog post..Dirty Talk: Now With Extra Cupholders

Man, do I ever empathize with your initial feelings of guilt and frustration over attempting to do what EVERYONE says is the right thing to do.

Thankfully, once I realized my baby girl was much more content with actually eating instead of the torment of trying to eat off of breasts that at their highest production created a combined 4 oz, I recognized that, as others have said here, there is no right or wrong way. You simply have to do what is best for both baby and mother.

Jennifers last blog post..Saving Mother Earth

I think there are some LC’s out there who feel they have to compensate for the misinformation on breastfeeding that is out there. Oh, boy oh boy, is it out there still. Hugely.

Sometimes, sadly, they overcompensate and push when they really should just accept the mom’s decision and support her in that.

Given you lost weight instead of gained during pregnancy should have been a sign for them this was no ordinary bf’ing situation.

Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..Dogs - The Next Great Marital Debate. This One Could Be The Death of Us

I breastfed for 17 months. Exclusively since my little vampire refused to take a bottle, EVER. For me BFing was pretty easy but when I read stories like this I think…no I KNOW… I would have thrown in the towel way sooner then you did. The 4-month failed struggle to get her to take a bottle (she was at daycare at 15 weeks, so I really needed her to take a bottle) was intense enough. Add in things like chafing and bleeding and pain and it would be unbearable!

ikates last blog post..Bronze and Pottery, Lace and Linen

I commend you for trying in the first place, especially when it proved so difficult. I can’t say for sure since I’m not even pregnant yet but I don’t plan on breastfeeding at all. I know some people take issue with it but what can you do?

Jens last blog post..The best kind of sunday…

Nature has a reason for the way things turn out. If you couldn’t breast feed, there was a reason for it. Not everyone can and there are generations of babies out there that are just fine having been raised on formula. I saw that one commenter said she was ashamed that she couldn’t breast feed. You shouldn’t be ashamed and your body didn’t fail you. And anyone who tries to make you feel bad because you weren’t able to breast feed is just an ass. I’m so sick of people who feel that what’s good for them is right for everyone, even when it’s physically impossible for some.

Mary Beths last blog post..LIKE HAIRS THROUGH A COMB, SO GO THE STRANDS OF OUR LIVES

I too, could not produce milk and amazingly enough he has survived and is quite healthy as well.

crookedeyebrows last blog post..The weekend is gonna sparkle like Diamonds…

GREAT post. Thanks for sharing. My pediatrician had a great outlook on it…”Can I identify the children who’ve been breastfeed vs. bottlefed? Nope.” I admire anyone who breastfeeds. I did both at the same time (and WHOA! was I told by my BF friends I was making a mistake). Nipple confusion never happened. I made it more than 3 mos. with both kids this way…then thought this is WAY to complicated. I refused to call the LCs because I knew I was way-too fragile emotionally to handle whatever “constructive instruction” they would’ve given me. Good for you, girl, for putting your foot down.

I breastfed my daughter with no problems. It was effortless and beautiful. When my son showed up, though, it was a whole different matter. His soft palette was really high so he would suck extra hard to fill the space. I produced plenty, he got fed just fine, but I was in pain for 9 months. I tried shells and everything to soothe my poor aching nipples but nothing worked for very long. I finally switched because my uber-nazi pediatrician threatened to take him away and feed him, never mind the adult sized bowls of baby cereal and three jars of baby food he ate at EVERY MEAL–some kids are just genetically skinny, people! She pushed formula so hard that I started supplementing just to get her off my back, then discovered that my breasts felt so much better with those rests. I’m a little sad I didn’t get to nurse him as long as I’d hoped, but that’s just how the chips fall, you know.

I don’t have kids so I can’t really argue either way, but I can say I don’t get the public shame moms feel they can put on other moms. Seriously. What is right for one might not be right for another. How can people not see that? The whole debate is just ugly and wrong.

To berate a woman over her feeding choices is simply deplorable. To me that’s akin to telling anyone who wasn’t nursed as an infant that they’re less intelligent. Does that man every child placed for adoption is stupid? We’re doing a disservice to women by eliminating one of the few important choices we get to make for our children and ourselves ALONE. I’m not even pregnant and my mom already harasses me about nursing. I actually intend to nurse but if it becomes as bad as it did for you, I will have no qualms about throwing in the towel.

Caseys last blog post..‘Twas A Busy Day

You know what, good for you for trying and ho-boy did you go through the ringer.
I didn’t breastfeed either for a myriad of reasons and all of mine are healthy, smart and happy kids and I think that’s really what matters in the long run.
Why is it such a competition…it always bums me out that there is such a lack of “support” out there between mommy’s when it comes to the hot topics.

Britts last blog post..Ode to the Pink Sparkly Jelly Flip Flop

Can I just tell you that I had an “ah-HAH!” moment as I read this? I had a similar problem….cracked, bleeding, PAIN, screaming everytime my daughter tried to nurse. I had HG too! I eventually did get some milk, and with the help of a “nipple shield” at first (my BEST friend throughout the experience), I was able to breast feed about 80% of the time until she was about 15 months. But it was PURE torture. I bet you’re right with HG causing it. I wish I would have known at the time; it would have saved me a lot of sleepless nights.

Nicoles last blog post..Ants in my pants

Argh. Why are women so hard on each other. I too could not breast feed my kids and made myself sick trying (two bouts of mastitis). I wish the women who so passionately defend breastfeeding would understand that we all love our kids equally, bottle or not. That period of hormonal flux after giving birth is so fraught will self-doubt already, the last thing we need is another woman telling us we aren’t trying hard enough. Whew! Thanks for letting me get THAT load off my chest.

Robins last blog post..Car Naming

I’m hoping that I’ll be able to breastfeed, but I’m also going to manage my expectations in case I can’t. It’s sad that women have to fear the wrath of the La Leche Mafia. Yikes.

nanettes last blog post..The sweet life

The whole breast-feeding thing… it’s crazy what we women do to each other. I didn’t really want to breast-feed but gave it a try (you know, for all the “right” reasons). Maybe I didn’t try hard enough, but it didn’t work well for us. Although now that I think about it, I had just lost my mom and my dad was on life support when I gave birth — I suppose stress could have played a part in this, but who knows.

Anyway, I pumped for about 2 months and it was awful. I think at least half of my waking hours I was hooked up to that torture machine and I never really had much to give, if you know what I mean. Plus the blisters and the bleeding. AWFUL!!

Not sure what I’ll do if we ever have another baby… One thing is for sure, I WON’T be seeing the lactation specialist. The first one I saw was nuts (NUTS!) and the other two just weren’t very helpful. Just what an exhausted, stressed-out, first-time-mom needs!

Kets last blog post..Damn spoons

You literally had nothing left. What else were you going to do??

GOOD FOR YOU!! for taking care of YOURSELF — that’s what makes a good mom.

Just sayin’.
VDogs last blog post..Weekly Winners ~ Last Week of July

I went through this exact thing with my first (now 5) and, up until 3 weeks ago, again with my second (now 8 weeks). I lasted 11 weeks of this torture with my first and only 5 with my second (and I had a c-section recovery to deal with with the second).

I don’t know who I was kidding, that it would work out better this time. I did not have HG during either of my pregnancies, but I only gained 15 pounds with both of them - all of which was lost the second the babies were on the outside.

When I finally gave up with my second, my blood pressure was 160/120. I’m convinced that my body said that it would provide for someone it was forced to while it was on the inside, but once they were out they were on their own.

I’m still guilty about not being able to do it for either of my boys, but at least they’re not starving. My first has only been on antibiotics 3 times in his life and is as smart as can be.

Good for you for listening to your body and your baby.

I was adopted, so formula was my only option when I was a baby - granted, I’m not the healthiest person in the world, but I don’t have allergies and I’ve got a really high IQ (just imagine what it could’ve been…).

To those who say breastmilk is best, that may be so. But, formula is better than nothing and genes must have something to do with it - right?

Who is giving you grief? Screw ‘em.

Amy in Ohios last blog post..Obama in Ohio, meet Amy in Ohio

If only I had read something like this 2 years, 2 months and 3 days ago. Perhaps I would have laughed instead of yelling “I’M A TERRIBLE MOM” to my husband while tears fell upon a mega breast pump. A pump, which was rented to me by a mean nipple nazi who told me I might as well not try because women who have had breast reductions can’t produce milk for more than a month. Oh, but she was a step up from the nipple nazi at the hospital who told me to stop touching my child as she man-handled my breasts with her cracked, disgusting, fat fingers. Issues…nah, I don’t have any issues.

Annas last blog post..Weekends You Can Believe In

I nursed both of my boys but only for a short time. With the size of my chest you would have thought I could feed a small village but nope they are just for show.

I got a lot of grief from a couple of mom’s that belonged to a expecting club I was a part of. They sent the nastiest emails saying that my child would not be as smart as their’s because I did not BF. They also said my child would have all sorts of allergies because I did not BF. Shocking enough one of their kids is the one with the boatload of allergies while both of my kids are healthy and allergy free.

Jesss last blog post..It’s Just Another Manic Monday

Ugh, I can’t imagine anyone thinking it’s a good idea to keep trying through chapped and bleeding nipples. Every time a mother tells me that part, I’m soooo against breastfeeding. Why torture yourself?

People and their convictions. Go figure.

Breastfeeding is great when it works, and hell when it doesn’t. It’s supposed to be so “natural” and healthy. I breastfed both of mine, and that was great. But if I couldn’t have I would have bottle fed them, and then I would have created a giant breast pump out of wood, placed it in the front yard of the nearest La Leche group and set fire to it. Because those people are f’ed up.

I’m sorry it didn’t work for you. You know you made the right choice for your family and that’s all that matters.

Candys last blog post..Checking Up On The Girls

I tried to breast feed as well. I had the means; colostrum was coming out. I nursed her when she first came out. But then I got sick. I started bleeding. I lost a lot of blood. So much that I had to be rushed to emergency surgery to stop the bleeding. I needed 4 units of blood and 4 units of plasma. Thank God for blood donors. But after that whole ordeal, I was too tired to nurse. I tried again but she was a hungry little critter and would get so upset that nothing came out as quickly as that enfamil bottle. I was still really weak but I continued to pump for 2 weeks at home. And then, I quit. It was so easy. I too felt guilty. Now I don’t. I needed to heal myself if I wanted to be able to take care of Mary properly. I would have loved that bonding experience but its also great to share the responsibility of feeding her. Maybe the next one, maybe not.

I’m a huge breastfeeding supporter and I think it’s wonderful. I breastfed both my boys for two years each. Crazy, I know.

HOWEVER, I totally believe that each mom has to do what works for her unique situation.

It sounds like you gave it a try but you’re poor body was plumb worn out. I feel for ya, I really do. It’s stressful enough to have a little baby plus freaking out because your boobs aren’t producing. ugh.

Great post. She turned out great. hehe

Rheas last blog post..Saucy Chef

I breastfed my daughter exclusively for almost six months. I wanted to make it to a year but it just got to be too much what with the working full time and the pumping three times a day at the office. I stopped entirely around nine months when she started biting. That was it for me and I don’t know if I’d nurse again if I had another one (which I’m not).

First… sounds like you gave it your all, and you had some circumstance preceding this that should have been considered.
Second..I dislike that some people are adamant that people shouldn’t nurse, as the ones who adamant everyone should. While I loved nursing, that doesn’t mean it is for everyone.
Lastly.. don’t worry about your haters, you can’t please everyone.

I almost lost my fucking mind trying to nurse my daughter. She would not latch on. I worked with five lactation consultants, one of whom said, “it must break your heart to have your baby reject you like that.” Oh.my.god.

Finally, one LC after getting my daughter to latch on for over 45 minutes told me that it wasn’t going to happen for me. And it didn’t. And we’re both fine, except when I remember the comment that the first LC made.

Motherhood is hard enough without us guilt tripping each other. Hang in there. (Not in reference to your breasts)

Marinkas last blog post..Allow Me

I tried breastfeeding, and it made my baby and I miserable! The best decision I ever made for the two of us was to bottle feed. I tried for five weeks. Boy did I get the guilt trip from everyone over my decision!

Nap Wardens last blog post..Run Report

I failed utterly to feed my first - what do you expect? I was only just not a teenager (turned 20 6mths before giving birth) I was at my first year of uni, we were not married, he was supportive but didn’t want to ‘be with’ me as he wasn’t ready for ‘it’ (yes, it was a suprise), we were staying with his parents, I was trying to keep up with lectures, and the health visitor was HORRIBLE plus I have a phobia of hospitals and kept being sent there to a HORRIBLE pediatritian.

Phew.

I gave up and bottle fed and you know, he’s fine. I’m almost over it.

The subsquent four - NO problem.

And you know what? I HATE the boob police as much as I hate (in restrospect) the 50’s bottle police.

They can all B***ER off.

What is needed is proper genuine love and support and to encourage the mother that she does know best, whether that be ‘no, I can do this, my breasts are producing enough’ or ‘no, I can’t do this, my body is too tired/emaciated’.

What we need is people saying ‘it’s ok, you’re not a terrible mother, just sleep deprived and/or depressed. You are doing a great job and here’s how I can support you so that you begin to FEEL that you are doing a great job’

sorry. will get off my soapbox now.

mamacrows last blog post..Chim-chiminey, chim-chiminey, chim-chim cheroo…

Thank you so much for this post. I had a very similar breastfeeding experience. Unfortunately, I had the reverse experience as far at the weight loss/gain thing (became pregnant at 125 and left the hospital at 170.) Ugh! I appreciate your honesty in your posts and I love your blog. I wish I could be that honest on my blog. I have family and friends that read it and that makes me hesitate. I had a friend that had HG during her pregnancy and it was horrific as you know. I was sick with my pregnancies, but nothing like someone with that condition. I completely related to this breastfeeding post. I nursed my daughter for seven months, plus pumped and supplemented with formula. My son I nursed and supplemented for three months. I wish I would have been able to do what you did and just accept my body’s failure in this area and move on without guilt. I struggled and it tormented me for a long time. It was easier to give up after three months with my son. I did my best and I thanked God for formula, however, I still get sad that my body failed me, that I was not able to make enough milk for my child to survive (although I still feel like it is failing me…getting this last 15 pounds off is just torture). Thank you for the post and your blog.

Lord don’t even get me started. Nursing is wonderful and if you can do it great. But formula is equally wonderful and each woman should decide for herself and her child.
It drives me nuts the ridiculous pressure on a woman to breastfeed. It would be nice if we wouldn’t be immediately guilt tripped but just given the facts (of both bf’ing and formula feeding) and then allowed to decide for ourselves

WMs last blog post..Control is Overrated

I had a run in with the breast pump…meaning, I put the wrong size of nipple suction thing and when I finished pumping my breasts (nips) didn’t look very good…to say the least, it was sad and I had to stop…but my three year old is healthy!

My breasts…they’re sad…very very sad.

Shelles last blog post..Letter to Man with Comb Over…

And you know what? That’s okay! There is NO law that says you have to breastfeed. It is NOT for everyone. I was a much better mother when I chose not to breastfeed my 4th child after 3 attempts with my other children.

http://tacpaskett.blogspot.com/2008/06/and-while-we-are-on-subject_23.html

Camilles last blog post..Wow!

I have never met another person with this experience. Most people look at me like I’m crazy but that’s what happened with my oldest. There. Was. No. Milk. I had never considered the weight loss before (Mine was not as significant as yours, but I was underweight by the time I gave birth) I always blamed her being two months early. Of course, there are always those preemie moms who made it work and tell me about it though. *sigh* Maybe it was a combination of losing weight and her being preemie? But more importantly, who gives a damn, she’s perfectly, amazingly, beautifully healthy now!

Dianas last blog post..Dark and Twisty, I am

I am four-time-around nurser, but my best friend bottle fed her baby. I remember her telling me she once read a chapter out of some baby book entitled “Bottle Feeding with Love.” She incredulously asked me, “What am I gonna do, ‘Bottle Feed with Malice?????’” That gave me a good laugh. I always remember it when I hear of the struggles that can come with nursing.

Angelas last blog post..More Stronger

Well, this is truly another time when size really doesn’t matter. I was CONVINCED I’d have no problems whatsoever nursing Levi, and yet it was one of the few times I DIDN’T put out. My DD’s just couldn’t keep up with his voracious demand, so after 2 weeks I started supplementing. I was SO embarrassed by the whole thing, since every woman around me has nursed like a pro. Ho hum. Hopefully next time I won’t be so type-A about the whole thing.

Erins last blog post..Indiana Artisan Development Project

I love you for this post. I went through a similar experience with my first. The guilt i felt was incredible! The Nurses were so pushy and so not helpful! With #2, so much better as i was prepared and much stronger to just be upfront and tell the Nurses what i was going to do rather than ask their advice and feel like garbage!!!
This post will help many women out there!!!

Lurker from the Indy area, delurking….

I am so sorry that you didn’t get the support that you needed. You obviously went through so much and I can’t even imagine how hard it must have been- both of my kids had no big problems nursing and it was still hard (and sometimes I dreaded it!). Good for you for doing what was right for you and your baby. You did the right thing- you have an adorable, healthy little girl.

I’m an older mom (in my 50’s) and I nursed all 4 of my kids with no bottles (including my youngest, who turns 9 tomorrow!) because that’s what worked for me and my children. And you did what worked for you and your baby. That’s what parenting is about; responding to your children’s needs, and your own, with integrity. You do your best. That’s all you can do.

Sweetie, I fed my eldest effortlessly until she weaned herself. Milk in abundance.

I nearly killed myself with the next two trying to recreate that with an electric pump and a bottle. Gave up after 8 weeks with both.

And still the breast Nazis abused me.

You did the right thing and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. We do what is best for our kids.

Kelleys last blog post..I know who you are.

I HATE, HATE, HATE the whole breastfeeding Nazi thing. Drives me crazy. I breastfed, which was a challenge, but totally support women in WHATEVER decision they make. Breastmilk may be best, but a frustrated mom & baby are certainly not a good situation.
Good for you for standing up for yourself!

I had HG with my second pregnancy. What an F-ing nightmare that was. My parents would come to gaze upon me as I kneeled on the bathroom floor and ask, “What can we do for you?” And my stock answer became: “Do you have a gun?”
I cannot believe you gave breastfeeding such a valiant effort after going through that. I only lost 20 pounds and, thanks to that evil evil Phenergan, managed to stop puking about half way through.Did you blog about your experience? I’ll have to check your archives, I’m new here.

I can’t believe that you were harassed and treated so awfully!
My son was born 11 weeks premature and I pumped almost exclusively until he was able to come home from the hospital (about 2 1/2 months). We made it bf until he was ten months old. I was and still am proud that I was able to do it. Mostly bc I felt like it was the only think I Could do when he was in the NICU. It was my only purpose and I drove myself to do it.

That being said. You do what’s right for you. I needed it for me to feel like a part of the “team”. If I hadn’t been able to, and if I’m not able with the next one? We’ll be fine. I was formula fed and I prefer to think that I’m pretty fab.

Danis last blog post..This crazy week

I too couldnt breastfeed my twins. They were born at 30 weeks and were in the NICU for 6 weeks. I wasnt with them aorund the clock. I pumped and pumped and only produced a tiny amount. That amount could not sustain two babies. I tried. I too felt defeated and gave up. I feel guilty at times, but there was nothing I could do.

mayas last blog post..Celebs

For me, I was glad that I was able to breast feed successfully, even though I had infections and bleeding and everything else. It was hard.

I had ppd after birth due in part to 36 hours of unsuccessfully trying to bring him into this world by the usual route and wound up having an emergency c-section.

When he first started nursing, I was still numb from all the drugs and couldn’t feel if he was even latching properly. Maybe that was a good thing…

I had breastfeeding nazis coming in all the time bothering me, touching me, calling me every freaking day after I got home. I just wanted to recoup from the surgery. Like I can’t call myself if I have a question? sheesh.

People need to respect the fact that everyone’s bodies are different and some people can’t nurse or don’t feel comfortable doing it.
get off the soap box.

Antonettes last blog post..And I Will Call Him Squishy

Wow - I didn’t even think about the HG, but yeah, I guess that makes all kinds of sense!

I have had a breast reduction, so I don’t COUNT on being able to breastfeed - I am still hoping I will be able to get married and have kids someday! SO I guess I just think if I do, great, and if not it will be okay.

Kims last blog post..At my house…

On the other side of the spectrum, I continued to nurse until right after BlogHer, and for the past 6 months I had someone AT LEAST once a day (various people) pressuring me to JUST QUIT ALREADY.

Ya just can’t win.

In the interest of moms and their babies, I wish we could all just agree that we’re doing the best we can to make the right decisions that fit for US. We’re not cookie cutters, fer goodness sake.

[...] about archives contact moosh in indy. ← they’re purely ornamental. Dropping eggs and shoving fat kids. July 29, [...]

I lieu of posting anything on my blog ever again, I think I’m just going to comment on yours.

You tried. You really tried. And you tried for good reason.

But Good Lord, Casey, your body needed a break. The value for moosh of your getting some rest far outweighed the value that breastmilk could have given her. Fo sho.

Imagine this scenario: Cranky old wench says “My what a fiercely angry and ill-behaved child.” Casey says “Yes, well, she was breastfed. But I also threw her across the room a lot because I was on the verge of insanity.”

Orrrrrr…. Cranky old wench says “My, I wish my child was that saintly.” Casey says “Yes, well, she was bottle fed, but I smothered her in kisses and was able to see her with clear eyes because I got some effin rest after she was born rather than torture myself over some magical nutrients.”

I need a blog.

Velveteen Mind - Megans last blog post..Like Tom Hanks but Without the Cash

Totally know how you feel. I would actually get depressed from the hormones that were released during nursing. All 4 of my babies had a very short time breastfeeding.

Alysons last blog post..Baby Girl

Casey, oh how I feel your pain (literally!)!! Ugh. I could rant with you for HOURS on this frustrating subject! I don’t want to pour out my whole story on here, but if you want to see where I’m coming from, I posted about it on my blog about a year ago: http://jondace.blogspot.com/2007/07/sometimes-life-is-hard.html

Mormon bottle-feeders UNITE!!

Oh my gosh. A light bulb just went on over my dim witted little brain. I couldn’t understand why breastfeeding was SO STINKING HARD after I’d barfed my way through two pregnancies with my boys. DUH. Of course. I was all dehydrated and sick. Breastfeeding was hell for 3 months, with all the bleeding and stuff and my milk never came in when they said it would, it always took longer… took days where I could actually eat so my body could produce the milk. Oh my duh. DUH!! It was easier with my daughter because I felt okay for the last half of her pregnancy, still barfed every day but could keep food down so I could actually make milk for her when she came out.

Seriously, how have I never connected HG with breastfeeding before?!