Chrissy Teigen has revealed on Twitter that breastfeeding was a challenge for her in the past. She also encouraged us to “normalize formula” because trying to force breastfeeding to happen can cause unnecessary feelings of shame, guilt, and inadequacy for new parents who are simply doing their best.
“OK I’m gonna say something and you all are definitely gonna make it a thing but here goes: normalize formula. normalize breastfeeding is such a huge, wonderful thing. But I absolutely felt way more shame having to use formula because of lack of milk from depression and whatnot,” Teigen wrote on Twitter. “People have surrogates, people have trouble breastfeeding and all you hear as a new, anxious mom is how breast is best.”
Teigen recalled “pumping my ASS OFF, highest mode, so often, because I didn’t trust milk was going into their mouths if I breastfed. It drove me mad to the point I could only get an ounce. an ounce! the stress of it, combined with the guilt that you cannot do nature=’s most natural thing for your own baby is too much.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby’s life. And there are some very good reasons to try breastfeeding after giving birth, as SELF explained previously, such as exposing the baby to helpful antibodies and providing an opportunity for new parents to bond with their baby.
But there are also plenty of valid reasons why breastfeeding may be especially difficult or just not be an option for someone, including certain underlying health conditions, physical discomfort, low milk supply, pressure to return to work, or feelings of anxiety. In some cases, a lactation consultant or other expert guidance can help a new parent work through those challenges, but not always—and that’s okay. (And that kind of one-on-one consultation can also be prohibitively expensive for many.) If breastfeeding isn’t working out, then formula, pumping and bottle feeding, or even a combination of the two may work depending on your circumstances.
But the overwhelming pressure that many new parents feel to breastfeed—even at times when it flat-out isn’t working—only makes them feel worse. It can exacerbate postpartum depression (a condition that Teigen experienced), which could just make breastfeeding all the more challenging. That’s why some experts have adopted a “fed is best” approach to breastfeeding rather than the traditional “breast is best” mindset.
“I just remember the sadness I felt and want you to know you are doing it right if your baby is fed, mama,” Teigen wrote, adding that she’s not sure why, but this is her “crusade” now. “‘Normalize breastfeeding’ is great. ‘Normalize formula’ is great, too!” Teigen wrote. “Normalize formula! Your baby is gonna be BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT, AND OKAY.”
Related:
The First Subtle Signs That Chrissy Teigen Knew Something Was Off Before Her Postpartum Depression Diagnosis
What to Know If You, Like Chrissy Teigen, Want to Pump on the Go
Jana Kramer on the Criticism She Received After Deciding Not to Breastfeed: ‘It’s Just Frustrating’