I received product and compensation from Mead Johnson Nutrition to create this post written by me. All experiences and opinions expressed in this post are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition. You can contact Mead Johnson Nutrition with product related questions or comments toll free at 1-800-BABY-123 (1-800-222-9123).
I have been meaning to sit down and write this post forever, but time has got the best of me (literally, 10 months’ worth). But, I also wanted to write it when I felt I could give all the information. When we first had Penelope, my original plan was to exclusively breastfeed, sound familiar anyone? But, due to some complications in the hospital and other unforeseen things, I just wasn’t producing enough. I saw four different lactation consultants over the first few weeks, bought all the supplements, drank water, you name it. It just wasn’t in the cards for me, so from day one, we always supplemented with formula. I first remember walking into the store so overwhelmed with formula options because I hadn’t done the research, thinking I’d be a nursing pro, but I grabbed a can of Enfamil NeuroPro™ because I’d heard good things and I liked the fact that it supports cognitive development.
(Visit Enfamil online to learn more about NeuroPro™ and request a free sample.)
In those early days, I was devastated. I was getting advice from friends to just keep trying, stop supplementing, etc., etc. and while I know it came from words of encouragement, it was SO hurtful because I WAS trying. I would look on the internet for hours and not find anything about supplementing breast milk with formula, so I felt like a failure. I remember crying in the pediatrician’s office and her looking right into my eyes and saying, “you’re missing it. You’re missing your baby’s first weeks because you’re beating yourself up over something that just isn’t a big deal. Do what works for YOU and your family and ignore everyone else.”
From that moment, something just changed and I actually embraced Enfamil NeuroPro™ because it meant I could have a break from nursing, Aaron could help out more, I could take a nap, etc. And honestly, while Penelope loved nursing, she also loved her bottles. Some feedings we would nurse, then bottle feed Enfamil NeuroPro™ and some feedings we would just do one or the other (and I would pump). Basically, we did what worked with our schedule best and we still do!
When it came time to wean P from nursing at six months (which was always my goal), she took to Enfamil NeuroPro™ like a pro and it’s still what we’re giving her along with her solids now. She honestly loves her bottles and I love knowing that she’s getting MFGM that helps close the gap in cognitive development between formula and breastmilk**.
So here is my advice to you. Whether or not you formula feed, bottle feed or do a combination of both, you’re rocking this momma and you’re doing your best! Motherhood is the hardest job I have EVER had and it’s full of WAY too many emotions to beat yourself up. So do what works for you and if that means rocking nursing, supplementing with Enfamil NeuroPro™ or even straight up feeding with Enfamil NeuroPro™, remember…YOU DO YOU!
I hope if you’re struggling with this right now you know you’re not alone. We just don’t talk about it for some reason and there is no shame in it. I couldn’t breastfeed exclusively, so we chose Enfamil NeuroPro™. But guess what? Some mommas don’t want to nurse and that’s 100% okay too! It’s hard and time consuming and some women just can’t, so I totally get that. At the end of the day, you’re the mom and you are going to make the absolute best decisions with what you’ve got for that baby (I trust you sister). Let’s stop judging mommas and instead worry about raising our kiddos to be kind, humble and gracious.
XX
Loving this Enfamil NeuroPro™ feature? Take a look here for more of my motherhood favorites!
This post has been sponsored by Enfamil NeuroPro™ but all opinions are my own. We have had the absolute best experience supplementing and strictly feeding Penlope Enfamil NeuroPro™ and I cannot suggest it enough.
**As measured by Bayley-III cognitive score at 12 months in a different formula with MFGM added as an ingredient
