3 reasons why I’m letting go of bottle-feeding guilt

I was unsure what to expect the first time we tried a bottle. I worried it would upset her stomach or cause uncomfortable gas. I worried she would reject the bottle entirely, meaning the freedom I hoped for would remain out of reach. But in just a few seconds, those worries disappeared as I watched her happily feed from the bottle.

What I really didn’t expect? The guilt that came as I watched her do so. Was I robbing her of that original connection we’d had with breastfeeding? Was I setting her up for confusion if and when we did go back to nursing? Was I failing at something without even realizing it?

In discussing with my friends, I’ve learned this guilt is an all too common thing. But I’ve also learned there are so many reasons why it’s time to let it go.

1) I’m letting go of guilt because…I shouldn’t feel guilty about sharing the connection with my baby. It’s true that now I’m no longer the only one who can feed and comfort her any time of day or night. But what that really means is that now the door is open for other people who love her (my partner, grandparents, older siblings) to take part in this incredible gift. The first time I watched my husband’s eyes light up as he fed our baby, I knew that I had made the right choice.

2) I’m letting go of guilt because…the right bottle will prevent any discomfort. It took us a bit of trial and error to find the right bottle that worked for my baby, but once we did, we rarely dealt with gas or discomfort―and the convenience of being able to pack along a meal for my child meant she never had to wait to eat when she was hungry. Dr. Brown’s became my partner in this process, offering a wide variety of bottles and nipples designed to mimic the flow of my own milk and reduce colic and excess spitting up. When we found the right one, it changed everything.

3) I’m letting go of guilt because…I’ve found my joy in motherhood again. That trapped feeling that had started to overwhelm me? It’s completely gone. By removing the pressure on myself to feed my baby a certain way, I realized that it was possible to keep her nourished and healthy―while also letting myself thrive.

So now, sometimes we use the bottle. Sometimes we don’t. But no matter how I keep my baby fed, I know we’ve found the right way―guilt free.

This article is sponsored by Dr. Browns . Thank you for supporting the brands that support Motherly and mamas.

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