If you have found Mama By The Bay because you are looking for more information about nourishing your baby with formula, you are in the right place.  I believe in feeding your child with love.  For some parents that means breastfeeding, for some that means formula feeding.  Everyone is welcome here.

If you are a “formula mom”, this is your home.  Take off your jacket of shame.  Kick off your shoes that are covered in muddy guilt.  Remove your blame cap.  Snuggle up with your little one on that rocking chair over there and take a deep breath.  You are among friends here.

Many of us have walked this road.  Some of us are at the end of the hike, standing tall on the mountain and looking back at the mamas taking their first steps.  Here are a few things that I’ve written about what my journey was like, and a few resources to keep you hydrated and nourished as you make the climb.

 

How I Really Feel  (The post that started it all, when I finally decided to stop trying to breastfeed when Max was 4 weeks old.)

On Formula, Failure and Freedom (Formula 101, with lots of answers about bottles/formula/accessories.  This post is also a rallying cry for those of us who feel disenfranchised and alone for choosing formula).

Bye-Bye Bottles (My favorite formula post, because it honestly describes my love/hate relationship with formula, and how Max was “weaned”.  I also touch on Max’s birth, and how that affected his ability to nurse.)

Feed With Love (Thoughts on the journey, and a letter to Max’s preschool teacher about how far he has come in his relationship with food)

Judge Me, I Dare You (Talking about the damage that it does when we judge other moms)

Max’s Belly  (A detailed description of why we chose formula, and what Max’s health issues were.  This includes more info about Reflux/GERD, Delayed Gastric Emptying, Food Allergies, and related testing and treatment.)

There is an amazing website called The Fearless Formula Feeder, and it has been invaluable to me on my journey.  Suzanne provides a safe, loving place for moms to connect and discuss their experiences with formula.  It was the first website I found after I decided to stop nursing Max, and it changed my life.

This journey can be hard, but it is also filled with sweetness, growth and hope.  Thank you for stopping by, and please don’t hesitate to send an email or leave a comment if you want to talk more!