Today's society puts a lot of pressure on new moms to breastfeed. No doubt breast milk is the perfect first food. However, there are many reasons why breastfeeding just doesn't work for some women and their babies, including illness, discomfort, and frustration.
Guilt over not breastfeeding can hit especially hard if you had planned during pregnancy to do so but faced circumstances that made it impossible or more difficult than you'd expected.
Both breast milk and formula nourish growing babies. If you've given up on breastfeeding – or are thinking of doing so – be sure to discuss your choice with your doctor or a certified lactation consultant. Talk through your feelings and don't be too hard on yourself. The main thing to remember is that how you feed your baby now is ultimately not as important as providing love and care.