Mother Approved - Testimonials

Several articles on this site originally appeared on eBay under Guides and Reviews.  I’ve received quite a bit of feedback thanking me for sharing my story.  Here are some of the comments I’ve received, original grammar and spelling preserved:

Hi…just by chance I read your guide about breastfeeding or formula feeding.  I breastfed my 1st for 9 months, second for 6 and my third for 6 with no problems and I never really thought much about it.  One day my sister-in-law called me in tears…she had recently become a new mother.  I did not know but she explained to me all the pressure her friends, husband and doctor had put on her to keep trying to breastfeed but it just wasn’t working.  She felt terrible, less than, bad for not wanting to keep trying, worried for her new little boy…she was in emotional turmoil, along with PPD.  I listened to her and all I could think of and all I could say was, Di!  Your baby needs a sane mommy more than a boob!  As a mother of 3 and having done both breastfeeding and formula, a mother’s state of mind is so much more important for her baby than which liquid the baby drinks. I’m glad you shared your story. think women need to hear this.  There is so much pressure out there to breastfeed

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Just wanted to say thank you for your guide on ‘unpopular’ baby decisions.  I had a similar story to you (AND I am a labor and delivery nurse, so I tried REALLY REALLY hard).  The last day I pumped, I did it five times and got less than one ounce of breastmilk.  I drank all kinds of teas and fluids and pills to increase my milk supply, laid in bed feeding all day and all night (doing the weekend of feeding, as recommended by some lactation consultants), everything I could find and do to increase my supply!  Son was still losing weight, so we started formula while I still breastfed and pumped.  I was so depressed that I couldn’t breastfeed.  I had little pain (but I sure do sympathize) and son latched on, but I could not breastfeed him 20 hours a day!  That post by the lactation consultant was a bit hard to take after your reading about your heartwrenching decision, but I support you!  I wish I had read your info when I was going through it. Thank you!

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Hi,
I just read your article on formula feeding and I applaud you for trying and doing what you felt was right for you and your baby. Just by trying to breastfeed and looking into the best options for you and your baby makes you a great mom! The way you decide how to feed your baby should not reflect that you do not love or want the very best for your baby.
Nicole
(a breastfeeding mother)

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I wanted to say thank you for sharing your breast feeding story. I had similar problems with my twins. My first two girls were successfully breastfed until 20-24 months. My twins however needed to be carried by a surrogate mother, as I have eclampsia when pregnant and would surely die if attempting to carry. I induced my milk supply with meds for 7 months before the babies were born, but nothing could get my supply over 10 oz per whole day. I pumped every two hours this whole time.

I successfully breastfed them for one month before they were starving and needed more. I dried up rapidly as they preferred the formula and became depressed. I got all of the looks and questions, and all I could say was, ‘I tried’, but nothing helped. They are now 9 months old and doing wonderful, but I continue to cry while feeding them, wishing I had that same experience I did with my other daughters, especially after trying so hard. My hub complains about the cost of it, and I cry. no one understands. TY

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Congrats on being a devoted parent & on your decision to formula feed.  My ten-year-old asked me why companies make formula, & I explained breastfeeding is not an option for all families.  With each of our 3 children I’ve had difficulties nursing.  Fortunately, a general practioner in my area has expertise in breastfeeding issues.  She’s helped even when hospital lactation consultants couldn’t.  If you should have more children & want to try breastfeeding again, she has a list of highly trained medical professionals in the USA who can help.  I could put you in contact with her so she could help you find support.  Breastfeeding in my area is not accepted.  Indeed I’ve been asked to leave or to nurse in a bathroom, because ‘doing that’ in public is not appropriate.  We all do what we need to for our children, and I am thankful formula was/is there for you to have an option for your son.  I’m sorry you had to go through such pain to make an obviously appropriate decision.

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I just want to mention a good-for-you, re: your formula feeding guide. For the rest of our lives, we will make sacrifices and difficult decisions about the care of our children. Breastfeeding just happens to be the FIRST big decision, so it is the most difficult. The only right decision is the one that works for you both!

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Just read your guide about formula feeding, and I would like to say this:

Amen and double Amen, you go girl.

To make a long story short I had issues with low milk supply so I know a little of what you are talking about. I went through this with three children and every time I hoped some new herb or some new technique or advice would make all the difference. NOT. The big ironic thing now is that I am running a breastfeeding/breast pump website. It kind of brings back the old pain, but I had learned these were profitable products, and so here I am. Best of luck to you.

~~Matia

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OK, I just wanted to be able to thank you for the two guides you wrote on formula feeding and on tummy sleeping…

I had almost the exact same problem with breast feeding as you did and was very upset about it. Your guide really helped make me feel better about our decision to give her formula. She is also much happier sleeping on her tummy than on her back. It even seems to help her gas.

Anyway, thank you for the guides and I hope other parents out there learn to keep an open mind when making decisions on the care of their children.

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Had to say I loved your guide on formula feeding. I won’t go through the story :-), but my daughter’s now form fed after a lot of pain and heartache. Thanks for putting the guide out there! Every little bit helps!

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Hi, I just read your guide on ‘unpopular decisions- tummy sleeping’ and wanted to say how good it was. After 4 months of having a baby that would only sleep 30 mins during the day I discovered that when sleeping on her tummy she sleeps at least 90 mins. Felt bad though after getting a rap over the knuckles by our GP.

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I don’t have a question but I just wanted to let you know I just saw your guide on formula feeding and loved it. I too wanted to breast feed my babies but my 1st was an aggressive nonnurser and would never latch on (pumped for about 12wks and gave up) my 2nd would latch on and nurse but lost weight we found out that I didn’t make enough milk nomater how much he nursed (all the time) I pumped for 8wks that time. I was heartbroken both times. Now I am expecting my 3rd, will try breastfeeding again but if it doesnt work out both my other kids are healthy and happy and thats what they make formula for. I too got all the looks and advise. My sister in law who is a born breastfeeder and preg for her 4th says its because I have c-sections,yeah right. Well didn’t mean to talk your ear off just wanted to let you know I’ve been there too. Thanks