No matter if you choose to exclusively nurse, pump, formula feed, or use a combination, we know that the decision was not made lightly – you exclusively fed with love and had the best interests of yourself and your baby (or babies!) in mind!
Whichever way you choose (and it’s sometimes out of your control), you are a great mama doing the best you can for your baby and shouldn’t have to defend that decision to anyone. However, when asked how we are feeding our babies, we instinctively become defensive and provide an excuse for why we have chosen that way.
Personally, I have nursed, pumped, and formula-fed. It was actually my husband who helped me get rid of my mommy guilt. He helped me realize that if *insert choice of feeding here* stresses you out or isn’t working; then it might not be the right way. You can’t let fear of being judged bully you into a choice that doesn’t work for you and your baby.
It’s also not all or nothing—you shouldn’t feel as if you need to live up to the title of “exclusive” nursing, pumping, or formula feeding. If what works for you is a combination of all three, then that’s what you should do and not feel guilty about it. If it works for both of you, then forget what anyone else says about it. Let’s stop the judgment and embrace that we have all exclusively fed with love.
I asked the Fairfield County Mom contributor team to share all the different ways that they have fed their babies. Every mama shared their experience with no judgment, hoping to inspire other mamas to make their own choices based on what is best for themselves and their babies at the time rather than allow judgment to guilt them into a decision.
Here is how our mamas exclusively fed with love.
- Some moms breastfed for 12 months and beyond. One mom had never planned to breastfeed beyond six months but continued until 18 months because it just worked for them and felt right.
- Formula feeding was the norm from the beginning. Some mothers made this decision before they gave birth, and some were not able to nurse due to complications.
- Simultaneously, one mom breastfed her twins until she returned to work at four months and continued to pump for both of them until they were seven months old.
- One mom had to stop breastfeeding and switch to hypoallergenic formula because their baby had allergies.
- Some moms decided to feed formula during the day and still nurse mornings and nights.
- Several moms started exclusively pumping shortly after their babies were born because of nursing complications.
- One mom gave nursing a try again after she had exclusively pumped for a few weeks.
- Many moms breastfed until they returned to work and then switched to formula.
- One mom has three “milk babies” she has helped feed through donor milk.
- Numerous moms pumped at work.
- One mom nursed, pumped, and formula-fed all at once.
