My Formula Feeding Journey: Meghan Basinger
What's best for your family might be different from what you originally planned, as this family discovered.
By
It’s been years since we welcomed our first daughter, Bauer, into the world. And all those years ago, heading into the second half of my pregnancy, I had every intention of breastfeeding. I had read the studies and talked to doctors, I knew the medical benefits of breast milk and I wanted what was “best” for my child. Fast forward six months, and I learned what was “best” for our family looked very different than it does for many.
Two weeks into breastfeeding Bauer I knew it wasn’t for me. I was miserable. She was miserable. Born at 41 weeks, she was still only 6 pounds, and it was unclear how much milk she was getting at any given feeding. The bonding experience that I heard about and craved while breastfeeding was nonexistent and replaced with tears and struggle. Determined to not let breastfeeding rob me of happiness in those first few weeks, but desperate to still provide my child with what was “best,” I exclusively pumped for the next six weeks.
I was barely producing. I had zero back-up supply. And now I was sitting in a dark corner of our family room at 2 a.m. being rocked to the sound of my pump, while my husband cradled Bauer in his arms giving her bottles. I was bitter. And then, I tripped and spilled my only bottle of milk on the floor of our kitchen and watched our Goldendoodle lick it up—you can’t make this stuff up. I was a hysterical mess.
The next day, with the support of my husband, I quit cold-turkey. I gave Bauer her first bottle of Similac and tears filled my eyes as I watched her look up at me and calmly finish her entire bottle. THAT was bonding. We had found what was “best” for our family.
Two years later we welcomed Kingsley. And I went to the hospital confident in my plan to exclusively formula-feed from day 1. My husband was on board. My doctors were on board. I politely asked the nurses and lactation consults at the hospital to get on board.
I feel zero shame when asked why I don’t breastfeed. I have no problem telling any interested party that I simply did not like it. Sometimes I’m met with judgment. But often, I meet a relieved mother who has felt exactly the same. If you do what’s best for YOUR family and don’t allow your confidence to waver in that decision, you really can’t go wrong.
Meghan Basinger is a lifestyle blogger + interior designer. She lives with her husband, two daughters, son and their Goldendoodle, Dumbledore, in Atlanta, Georgia. Meghan enjoys sharing a candid look at motherhood—the messy moments behind the pretty scenes and is an open book on the highs and lows of raising little ones. You can follow her on Instagram.
This article was originally published Aug 2019.
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