Hi @Mary –
Thank you for writing. I am truly sorry that you have gotten the wrong idea about The Baby Sleep Site and our philosophies. The whole premise behind the site is not to scare or shame any families, but to let you know that all families and all babies are different, that there is no cookie cutter answer, and that no matter the family’s needs, and no matter the family’s choices for feeding or sleep, we are here to help!
We are very happy to hear that moving to formula helped your family sleep better, but in our 10+ years of experience, this is not always the case. We want to share our experience with sleep and how it can relate to feedings. We strive to empower all parents, and to encourage them to believe in themselves and know that there is nothing wrong with their baby, or with the parents, if he or she doesn’t follow what a book says he should do. We do truly want to help, and we again apologize that we did not get this point across well in the article that you read. Good luck to you in your continued journey to great sleep!

Articles like this, that passive aggressively weave guilt only serve to further upset/depress and demoralize already exhausted mothers. Let mothers make decisions with their pediatricians and with their family that is best for everybody. Enough already.

@Casey – Thank you for sharing with us. Please continue to take good care of yourself and your little guy!

Anyway, I think it’s something of which women should be aware. Stress hormones pass into the milk. Reduce your stress. That means not too much exercise, not fasting or skipping meals or letting yourself go hungry at any point, getting enough sleep, not abusing lacto-fermented foods if you have sleep or blood sugar issues, not overstimulating your system with bad films/television or social media, not arguing with your husband, etc…

Do a cortisol saliva test if you want to make sure that this is not something affecting your baby.

THANK YOU for sharing! Though I like many of their articles, this one just rubs me the wrong way. I tried breastfeeding, and it just wasn’t working out. Instead of forcing it, which would have made things tougher and harder on both me and my baby, I pumped and supplemented with formula, then went to all formula. FORMULA. IS. NOT. BAD. There are so many amazing, organic formulas out there and women shouldn’t feel like they should keep forcing something just because “breast is best.” Breast is not always best. And while ignoring a doctor’s request and suggestion may work for some, it shouldn’t be something that is promoted.

Hi @Em – Thank you for writing and for encouraging other parents! We are so happy to hear that you found this article helpful!

To any mothers struggling with night-waking and worrying that formula might be ‘needed’, my paed told me that the night-waking breastfed babies do is normal and actually helps protect them from cot death. Waking every hour or two for breastfeeds is normal for very young babies, so something to be thankful for not to agonise over. Babies do wake up and yes it can be very tiring, but formula isn’t the answer. Soon you’ll look back and realise how fast those first baby months went. Enjoy every moment and congratulate yourself for all you do.

Please don’t ever think you’re ‘not good enough’ to breastfeed or that you’re not doing right by your baby. You most definitely ARE. Keep going!

Be proud : )

@ Leola — You know you’re exhausted when 5 straight hours of sleep is the dream!! Hope your little guy starts sleeping through the night soon (for your sake!) And remember — if you feel like you need to solicit some help in teaching him to sleep, don’t hesitate to contact us.