Yeah… milk production is a very emotional thing. For me, when I couldn’t produce enough for my eldest, I felt like a lesser mother. My youngest was strictly breastfed and refused a bottle of any kind, so I rarely got a break. But I made more that time around, so… whaddya do?
Other moms can be less than kind about formula, too. “Breast is best! It’s literally what boobs are for and formula is trash! Don’t be a lazy POS mom and breastfeed, dammit! But don’t do it in public. That’s nasty. Go to the public bathroom where our virgin eyes can be saved from your nudity.”
I nursed all of my children and am a strong advocate for breastfeeding, but formula was sometimes needed for various reasons. Women get guilted so much for feeding choice/necessity, and it isn't fair. As long as baby is happy and healthy, the parents are doing a good job ❤️ Enough with the shame.
Omg that's the worst! You'd think other mums would be better about it since they've been through the same experience (or even just other women generally! Seeing breasts? Le gasp).
Yeah, with moms, you’d think!! But man… some of those mom forums are horrible! A lotta moms are SO self-righteous, it’s infuriating. Especially to first time moms because “I’ve been around the block longer than you, therefore I’m smarter than you on this subject.” Hell, I’m finding out today some information I had 11 years ago is outdated already! I’ve been downvoted into oblivion on solids because apparently I’m not caught up on newer stuff, so those horrible moms make me even angrier.
I’ve never seen a baby refuse a bottle until my youngest. It was perplexing and a bit frustrating at times. Haha. Especially since he just used me as a pacifier all day and never gave me a break! He was also my last baby, so I just sucked it up most of the time. Knowing those times would end sooner than I want them to. I have no regrets!
Exactly! The harassment gets pretty mean, too! “Well, if you’re not producing enough, that’s a YOU problem. Don’t eat or drink this or that. Take this supplement. You wanted to be a mom, so quit whining and fix your supply! Sacrifice everything you can for your baby because that’s your sole job now!”
Welp, not everyone can produce, though. Formula has saved millions of babies lives!
“That’s just not true. Besides, haven’t you seen the news articles that say baby formula has ground glass in it?!? Why would you feed your baby glass!”
Yeah. That shit’s been going on forever. Other moms can be just awful… So, first time moms are already nervous, in pain, terrified and looking for support. Then you have these horrible women making the already insecure moms feeling worse!
26
u/ahobbins 1d ago
Spilled breast milk was the one time in my life I did genuinely cry when I spilled it. I’m so sorry that happened to you!