Breastfeeding 101

Who would've thought that feeding your baby would be so difficult? I wanted to breastfeed because everyone kept telling me it is what's best for my baby, and by everyone I mean Doctors, Friends, T.V. , the side of the enfamil container, strangers on the street......talk about pressure! Being a committed mother how could I not give it my best shot? Well I tried and tried and tried, but my supply was not increasing and my baby's appetite was.  This was probably one of the most defeated feelings I have ever felt in my life, and it definitely didn't help that I would get the evil eye by other mothers as I opened up the formual container to feed my little girl.  Clearly my inability to feed my baby the "proper" way was just an atrocity to mankind.  I spent about a month both breastfeeding and bottle feeding and feeling more and more depressed. The whole adjustment to motherhood was difficult enough without the stress of whether or not my baby was getting enough food and will she grow and thrive if I can't produce? I finally had to just throw in the towel and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.  I wasn't helping my daughter by crying all the time and feeling like a failure because I couldn't produce breastmilk.  I needed to do what was best us and for us it was NOT breastfeeding.  My daughter is one of the healthiest and happiest little girls I know and rarely gets sick.  Will I try to breastfeed again with my next child? Absolutely! I still believe in the wonderful composition of breastmilk....I just won't be so hard on myself if it doesn't work out.  :)