Penny

I love Penny, I really do. I want only the very best for her. And I acknowledge the probability that this is just the "baby blues" talking. But right at the moment, I almost want to just give up on breastfeeding and switch to formula exclusively, just to save ourselves and her the effort and fuss and frustration.

Blues aside, I recognize that:

1) Babies who breastfeed with no problems at all - despite what you'd think, given that breastfeeding is the natural system - are very, very rare. All this trouble could pass with just a little more practice and patience.

2) If we do switch to formula, it does not make us bad people, or me a bad mother. Formula isn't intrinsically bad stuff; it's just not as good as breast milk. I think the most fantastic analogy I've seen was one that likened formula and breast milk to frozen and fresh vegetables. The frozen vegetables are still good for you - they're just not the very highest quality product.

Anyway, I'm determined to keep trying at least until Penny's two-week checkup, at which time I'll know how she's coping with all this, and I can discuss the options with her doctor.

So please do not write to offer advice or encourage me, one way or another. I just needed an outlet.