When I had my daughter, I breastfed for eight months. Going into my second pregnancy, I already knew that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed and pump again.
The mental and physical toll it took the first time around was A LOT. The thought of juggling that while caring for both a toddler and a newborn felt overwhelming. And after pregnancy, I was ready to have full autonomy over my body again. Pregnancy has never been something I enjoyed, and I was looking forward to feeling like myself.
So when my son was born, we chose formula feeding from the start.
He's now three months old, and finding a formula that works for him has been a bit difficult.
We've tried multiple gentle formulas, but he still seems uncomfortable. He spits up what feels like entire bottles. I can feed him at 10 a.m., and he'll still be spitting up what looks like a waterfall of formula at 1 p.m. (Sorry for the visual, but if you're a parent, you get it.)
I'd be lying if I said it hasn't made me question my decision sometimes. Mom guilt has a funny way of sneaking in. There are moments when I wonder if he would have fewer tummy troubles if I had breastfed.
My husband actually has a whey allergy and needed soy formula when he was a baby, so we're starting to suspect something similar could be going on with our son. The more I've talked with other parents, the more I've realized that formula sensitivities, allergies, and digestive issues seem much more common than I originally thought.
Our pediatrician prescribed baby Pepcid to see if reflux was the culprit, but unfortunately, it didn't make much of a difference. So next week we're headed to a GI specialist, and I'm crossing all my fingers that we can finally get some answers for our little guy.
One thing motherhood has taught me is that every baby is different. What works perfectly for one child can be completely wrong for another. My daughter tolerated just about anything. My son? Not so much.
And before I go, here's a tip I recently learned from a friend that might help another mama out there:
If your baby needs a specialty or "gentle" formula due to reflux, digestive issues, allergies, or other medical concerns, call your insurance company and ask if they cover it. Formula is incredibly expensive, and I had no idea this was even an option. Some insurance plans will actually cover the cost and have the formula shipped directly to your house.
Definitely worth looking into.
For now, we're taking things one bottle at a time and hoping the GI appointment points us in the right direction.