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I tried to bf our first child for 6 weeks with supplementation, but what she was getting from me was not nearly enough. Over time the amount I produce became less and less. With our second child I tried again and was only able to bf for 12 days and then there was nothing but a few drops from each side. As with our first I was up throughout the night pumping and trying to build supply to no avail. Finally my OB did some testing and found that I have less than half the amount of milk ducts as the average woman. With a bit more research and a trip to my endocrinologist, we discovered that this was not an uncommon problem among women with Thyroid Disease, which I was diagnosed with 15 years ago and have been on Synthroid for ever since. I really wanted to bf both our children and it kills me that I couldn't. I did however, make sure they each got every last drop before stopping. Also, both of our kids were supplemented with formula from the start due to the lack of volume.

These types of pig headed people anger me to no end. Of course breastfeeding is best. Not all mothers have the luxury of staying home with their lo's to bf exclusively so sometimes it is not really a "choice". My lo was born early and was in the NICU for several weeks. I pumped and brought it to the hospital everyday. Although it was not enough for all he needed, I knew it was helping. After being discharged home, he was brought back to the emergency room within 36 hours and I did not pump for that entire (most horrible) day. Anyway, I lost what little milk I had. I am now back to work full time and would probably never have had enough milk to EBF anyway. So am I a bad mother? Not at all. Neither is anyone who uses formula.

The mother that knowingly diluted her baby's formula certainly should be sent to jail for endangerment. I worked in a WIC office for a few years and the people who receive WIC generally get Food Stamp benefits as well as cash Welfare meaning that the formula that the baby needed that exceeded what WIC provided could have been purchased by all the other government programs that these people get.

So "krc" get the hell off your high-freakin-horse!

When posting, you should keep an open mind to other people's situations.
I did read that when China was having problems with formula the FDA said no amounts were safe in formula, but now that they found small amounts here, it is suddenly safe? I don't understand. I am going to go back to work when I have my baby, but I will still breastfeed and see how it goes. I know I will have to pump as well and if I have to I will supplement, but I am not going to sit here and say what is best for other people.

These conversations always make me really uncomfortable. I'm pregnant with my first and consider myself a very determined person. I want to breastfeed for all of the usual reasons. It is distressing to find that if for whatever reason it does not work out for me, that women who should rally together to support each other will be my biggest critics.

I know people that are examples of every scenario. Some were too lazy... some gave up too quickly... and some had very real reasons why they couldn't. Usually those women feel a sense of loss or that they are inadequate in some way and I think it is because of the extremist bf supporters that forget mothers all want to the best for their babies.

I agree that bm is the best for baby. I know there are so many women out there that don't bf just because it conflicts with work or it's too much work. I just want to say, it's worth it. My baby couldn't latch no matter what I did. I was even given shields (honestly, I think they caused more problems because it's plastic and made her used to it, like a bottle) but nothing worked. I tried multiple times and was so upset and cried that I couldn't breast feed. So, I bought a pump. I wasn't going to give her formula if I could prevent it. I know there are some medical conditions that you can't bf because of, but I feel in any other circumstance, you should try. Even if you work, your employer has to allow you to take breaks for pumping. Also, if your body only produces a very small amount like an ounce a feeding, feed your baby that and then let them fill up on formula. That way they have the health benefits of th bm, but also get the calorie intake they need. It's not easy to pump ten minutes every two hours, but it's worth it. Just consider it if you can feed. Take into account that you don't have to exclusively bf. BFing once a day adds so many health benefits to your baby. What's more important? Convenience or your babies health? I hope no one took this the wrong way, I think it is a choice. One I don't agree with, but I understand how hard it is and not everyone has the will power to do it.