So I gave my baby formula last night.
[time allowance for sighing, disapproving head-shakes, and gnashing of teeth]
It was bedtime and I was trying to feed him because he was hungry, and yet all he did was try to eat and then pull away and let out a banshee scream that could wake the dead. After a while I convinced myself that I was all dried up and my poor boy was starving. My breasts felt like deflated water balloons and I assumed I had simply run out.
Nothing could console this kid. No amount of bouncing, singing, rocking, or vacuuming came close to pacifying him. You may be wondering–why didn’t you just try letting him cry himself to sleep? Yeah, I tried that. And guess what? He got himself so worked up that he rolled himself over. My barely two month old is apparently ready for the Baby Olympics.
After conveying this to Baby Daddy, he promptly went downstairs to find the free formula that came in the mail and made up a bottle for his malnourished child. When he tried to feed it to him, however, Waylon was very nonchalant. He took a few polite sips, let the rest dribble down his chin, and immediately fell asleep.
Whatever.
***
I could give you some milk. My boobs have started expanding all ready. And actually, they never quit from when Tage weaned…which was last winter. What is wrong with my body?
So weird.
momfessions are my favorite
Formula is always so tempting! I’ve caved a few times too.
He can roll over at 2 months?! My son didn’t roll over until he was 6 months old! You’re going to have a handful….
cute picture. he is a gorgeous baby.
ha! I didn’t gnash my teeth but I did hope that he was just being fussy and that you weren’t “all dried up…” I had a problem making milk and didn’t know it. My daughter dropped in weight and I didn’t realize it for weeks that she was hungry! Your son is probably fine though! But it’s so hard to know if you’re making enough!
breastfeeding can be trixy.
so much of breastfeeding is mentality…i make less when i pump then when I would be feeding the baby…i was told pregnancy dries up milk and whatya know, mymilk dried up within a month…i thought giving a bottle of formula was the deadliest sin until my second…If they need the nutrients, give it to em! It definitely doesn’t make you a bad mom, you’re willing to compromise…which is a WONDERFUL thing:)
Thanks Christa!
Hey, I also forgot to say, that sometimes during Waylon’s growth spurts you might feel like you are always empty. If you just keep letting him suck (as often as that needs to be) your body will eventually catch up and make enough milk for his needs. I know those were my most frustrating breastfeeding weeks. I never felt like the baby was getting anything and I was ALWAYS nursing, but in fact, he/she was getting just what they needed.
Maybe baby’s growing more this week. Or maybe he just needs more energy for those baby olympics he wants to enter!
Keep up the good work, mama. Babies are strange, needy beings and it’s hard being attached to one all the time :)
Very true. Thanks Z.
He rolled over?? Wow! That’s one strong boy.
I gave Sammy some formula in the very beginning and I think it saved both of our sanity. He was full and I was a bit more “rested” and felt like I could be a better mom because I wasn’t so frustrated and tired. (“Rested” in quotations because are you ever really rested in the beginning??)
No gnashing of teeth here!
Is Zoe pregnant???? (:
Nevermind, just visited her blog! Yay!
I too have had the screaming hungry baby issue. All day I have been reading about “nursing strikes” refusing the breast and nipple confusion- to no avail of being able to understand this little girl. She nurses for a few mins- acts full and screams if I try to feed her more. VERY frustrating- but I can for sure sympathize- I called the doctors and lactation people hoping to get comfort that she was just really fast. All say “this too shall pass” or “she is probably just in a phase” or ” as long as her output is steady she is fine” when hearing this I want to flick them off and do so over the phone when they can’t see me :) Nursing is a science- one of which I wish I had studied a little harder before babe’s arrival.
In my case, I have to give him formula anytime I feel he is not getting enough breastmilk. My baby was a month early and we want him to gain wait.
Pingback: Our Lady of Colic | Motley Mama