For those of you who strictly formula feed - do you have healthy babies?

Question

My son is 2 months old (and has been breastfed).. I got mastitis in my left breast and now my milk supply has gone way down. I'm supplementing with formula but my breast milk is getting lower by the day so I'm going to have to switch to only formula.
(I use Enfamil Lipil and am going to put him on Enfamil GentleEase)
I know breastmilk is the best form of food .. but I can't do it anymore. I feel bad enough about putting him on formula (so please no rude answers about not giving him breastmilk) ..
I just want to hear from moms who formula feed their babies and hear how their babies are doing on it! (meaning ONLY formula fed, not substitued with breastmilk)
thanks!

Answer 1

Yes, my formula fed baby is healthy. Breast milk is best for baby, no argument on that, but you need to do what is best for you also. Don't feel guilty, your baby will grow up healthy even if you feed him formula.

Answer 2

I completely understand where you're coming from. I tried to breastfeed my son but it just didn't work. I never had the problems most moms have with their breasts - no engorgment, no soreness...nothing. My body just wasn't making the milk. I felt really guilty about formula feeding my son, but he's two years old now and has never had any ailments other than a cold. He's perfectly healthy. The guilt WILL pass, I promise. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Formula feeding babies seem to attract more allergies and little things like ear infections more easier. I'm a mom of 3 boys, one 18, one 13 and now a 1 year old. All three of my boys were formula fed. I used gentlease with my new one, and he is very healthy. My 18 year old has been to the doctor, only for shots, since he was born. He is very Healthy!
FORMULA ONLY! My 13 year old also has very few trips to the doctors when he was young, just the occasional Ear infection, now my 1 year old, he has had ear infections too and thats it>

Answer 4

My son is now 10 months and he is formula fed. I lost my milk flow at 1 month so had to rivert to formula. My son has not gotten sick (hit wood) and is doing very well. I felt bad that I couldn't breast feed him but there is so much I can control and my milk flow wasn't one of them. Obviously breast milk is best but the formula is also good. I know alot of people who have formula feed kids and they are doing great! I'm currenly using Nestle Good Start with Omega 3 & Omega 6.

Answer 5

I'm so sorry that things are becoming so difficult with breastfeeding. Formula fed babies can still be healthy but it seems to me that you have a lot of insecurities about whether its the right thing or not. I'm not judging, but I want to put it out to you that you can raise your milk supply again, if you are determined and devoted. Pumping extra milk in addition to putting him to the breast. There is also a medication that you can take that can increase your milk supply.

It's very common for the milk supply to drop once formula supplementation has happened. But just so you know your options - you can reverse the process. You don't have to give up.

Answer 6

Yes they are just as healthy. All three of mine were just formula fed babies. Were hardly ever sick. No colds,ear infections etc. Keeping babies healthy is not just feeding them breast milk. It does help to keep them away from germ laden places like public shopping malls. I am being serious. Always wash your hands first thing when you get home,before you undress the baby. Get off those nasty germs from pushing the cart. Some places where I live actually have handi-wipes near the cart storage so one can wipe down the handle before using.

Answer 7

I breastfed my son for the first month, and we could not continue. It was a constant struggle between the two of us, as he just wanted a bottle. I could not pump enough to sustain his hunger, so we switched over to formula. I use Nestle Good Start and he is very healthy. His weight/height generally ranges from the 80-95 percentile, and the doctor is happy with his progress. She calls him "a good product". I wouldn't worry or feel guilty. You are doing the best you can. Just be glad you got to breastfeed at all...some mothers can't for various reasons. Don't take any crap from anybody.

Answer 8

Please stop feeling guilty and just be thankful researchers have produced a substitute for breast milk that is so effective.

You can always try to keep your breasts going just mornings and bedtime - use formula for the bulk of the feeding and don't stress. That really does work.

I suplemented from the end of the first month because I didn't produce enough milk (I don't want to hear from anyone that this wasn't true since you aren't my doctor). I nursed for eight months, but stopped pumping after around 5. Thereafter I did AM, 5 pm, bedtime, middle of the night, until 8 months when he chose to stop. He is thriving today. Without the formula, he wouldn't be.

Answer 9

i have 4 children, my first could not have breast milk due to allergies and was only formula fed, she is hardly ever sick and is very smart!
my second nursed for 3 months then all the sudden just quit, so i had to put her on formula, she also has hardly ever been sick, she is also very smart, little bit of an attitude though, but i doubt it had anything to do with formula!
my twins spent two weeks in the NICU and never learned to nurse so i had to formula feed. they are both very healthy, and growing well and very smart. they were 6 weeks premature but they hardly ever get sick and are developing wonderfully!

i wish i could have nursed, but my babies have been just fine on formula!

Answer 10

I formula fed both of mine. Both are very healthy. The only problem I had was with my daughter. She could not take the formula with iron and had to have low iron formula. They are healthy 16 and 18 yo's now. Formual feeding did not harm either of them.