Jodie Sweetin on Breast Stress
Submitted by
Jodie Sweetin
I had planned to breastfeed, so when Zoie was born, I went for it. She latched on with no problem and I thought everything was gonna be great. The trouble was that from the very beginning, even after my milk came in, I would feed her and feed her and feed her until there was nothing left to give and she'd still be crying because she was so hungry. When I just couldn't bear to see her cry anymore, I decided to supplement with formula. (Plus, my boobs really hurt!)
When we brought her home, it was the same thing. After every feeding, she was still hungry and I didn't want to see my baby this way! I'd much rather see her full and content after I supplemented her with formula than hungry and cranky with just my breast milk.
I know that breast milk is best—and I think it's great when women breastfeed—but formula feeding was a lot easier for both me and my baby. Instead of being comfortable, I found breastfeeding excruciating. Not to mention that it wasn't a great bonding experience when I was screaming in pain and she was screaming because she was really hungry! I really felt that Zoie was able to pick up on the fact that I was stressed about feeding her, and the last thing I wanted to do was make my baby stressed.
I think a lot of moms feel the pressure to breastfeed, and I get it. But I'd rather see my child happy and full than miserable and hungry. She's a great baby and she's very healthy (in 81st percentile!), so we're doing something right!
I applaud anyone who breastfeeds, but I think you have to do what works for you and what works for your baby. Don't beat yourself up because you couldn't do it. Just focus on having a happy and healthy baby.
Actress Jodie Sweetin is mom to Zoie & Bea. You might also know her from her role as Stephanie Tanner on Full House.
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