Let's talk about infant feeding♥

When I think about infant feeding, the first thing that usually comes to mind is breastfeeding. And it may sound weird, but I love it, especially the bond I have with my babies. I remember struggling with my first daughter and never really having that bond and I made a promise to myself that if/when we had more children I would breastfeed them and so far, so good. My only issue was overproducing (not that it's a serious issue). I just found myself nursing and pumping. My freezer is literally filled with breast milk and it's such a rewarding feeling. My daughter is chunky, healthy, growing beautifully and this momma is right back to her pre-pregnancy weight. A total win, win for everyone, right? 

When I found out I was pregnant with each of my daughters I knew I would breastfeed, no questions asked. I even remember my mid-wife asking and replying with "of course I'll be nursing" and after each of my deliveries I immediately nursed and declined help from a lactation nurse because I felt like I knew what I was doing. I never thought about all the scary things that come with breastfeeding like mastitis, nipple confusion, etc. I just figured engorged breasts and sore nipples were the worst case scenarios and boy was I wrong. If I could go back, I definitely would accept help from a lactation nurse.

I struggled here and there with Ava and at one point had to break into our freezer stash and that went so fast, I felt like I couldn't keep up. Talk about feeling defeated. My husband noticed us equally struggling and just getting well impatient and he suggested maybe getting formula and supplementing until I started to produce more. I was so upset with him for even suggesting formula, in my opinion is just wasn't an option for us. I started reading articles online and little by little started feeling more comfortable about the decision. And as much as I don't want to admit it I secretly judged other moms for formula feeding their babies. I just figured maybe they weren't trying hard enough. Shame on me.

As soon as my sweet girl drank her first bottle of formula, I immediately felt all the guilt, embarrassment and frustration go away. My baby was happy, fed, and still perfectly healthy. 

It's so great to talk about infant feeding and understanding that everyone is going through a struggle. It's time to be less judgmental. I look back on everything and wish I had more support when it came to feeding my daughters. The Happy Family's Infant Feeding Resource Center offers new parents direct and free access to Cornell-Certified nutritionists and lactation consultants, the Happy Mama Milk Mentors, as well as educational materials on a variety of feeding topics. Which is great!

Happy Family is a brand I already know and trust because they make the Happy Baby Stage 2 Organic formula that I feed my little girl. It's a great formula option for babies over 6 months old and supports their changing nutritional needs. It's modeled after breast milk too (which is why I love it so much) and includes premium, organic & Non-GMO ingredients! It also contains key vitamins and minerals found in breast milk, as well as DHA/ARA and a prebiotic mix to help support digestive health.

Remember, wherever your feeding journey takes you, know that from this moment on I'm no longer judging and being more supportive. It's hard being a mother. Everyday we try and make the best choices for our children. Every baby is different. Every pregnancy is different. Every feeding journey is different. Just know you are NOT alone. Happy Family has you covered with their free resource center and amazing line of organic formula for you and your baby, should you need them!