My daughter had jaundice when she was born and the doctors said she sud be given formula instead of breast milk for a few days. Though I did feed her on the colostrum and pumped milk in the hospital, I never fed her directly in the initial 7-8 days.

The milk supply was also very less from the beginning and when I started to nurse her she would suck for almost 4-50 minutes and still be hungry and would cry. After a few days she refused to latch on to me. I then shifted to pumping 5-6 times a day. The milk supply did increase and though it wasnt enough for her and I had to supplement it with formula but atleast she was 50-60% on breastmilk.

When she was 4 months old the milk supply began to diminish and however hard I may try I could hardly pump out any milk. I had been taking cumin (jeera) seeds and daliya from her birth to increase milk supply, now I stared taking fenugreek (methi) seeds too. But nothing helped and I was frustrated by the time she was 5 months old.

I even had arguments with my husband who thaught I wasnt trying enough.

I consulted my doctor and she said that I could stop pumping and put her wholly on formula. So for the last 15 days I am not pumping. Though there are no sore nipples and less frustration but I still feel guilty and apprehensive. I keep browsing sites to find if formula is ok for my baby but they all say that no formula can be as good as breastmilk and it adds to my guilt.

I dont know what to do, I did try my best. The only relief is that my baby is healthy and active.
New Mom replied. Don't sweat it. You are not a bad mom if you can't breast feed. I had a similar situation. I tried taking Reglan(ask your ob-gyn if is an option for you).. also sanf water 4-5 glasses a day helps increase milk supply. Try shatavari as well (you can buy it online). The only benefit of breast milk over formula is the immunity you give the baby. My baby is 80% on formula..felt terrible for a while..i have gotten over it now.. Friend replied. Hi Lata,
I have faced exactly the same situation. My son is 7 months old. I tried feeding him in hospital when he was born but he was always hungry so started substituting the formula. Situation was so worse in 3 days after his birth that he refused tolatch. He was totally on Enfamil formula. Now he is 7 months old.
He is as healthy as any other baby infact he is bigger than most of his age group and much stronger.
Mothers who cant feed are treated as the second class mother but it is not so. Give her more formula and dotn worry. Believe me...there is no difference Formula have all the necessary vitamins that a baby needs, Who knows in the breast milk there might not be enough Vitamins because based on what mothers eat they supply to the baby.
so no more frustrations and give ur baby formula whenever she needs ......this is what my experience tells