Being a mom is a constant exercise in blocking out noise, from unsolicited advice to some narrow definitions of what good parenting looks like — and Chrissy Teigen is well aware of this. This is especially true when it comes to feeding your baby, which is why the model, now a television personality and cookbook author, is trying to reduce some of the stigma around it.
Today, Chrissy penned a Twitter thread in an effort to normalize formula feeding, and every single person should read it.
ok I'm gonna say something and you all are definitely gonna make it a thing but here goes: normalize formula.
Chrissy, who breastfed her son, Miles, and her daughter, Luna, acknowledged that "breastfeeding is such a huge, wonderful thing," but it doesn't come easy for many people, and there shouldn't be any stigma around using or switching to formula.
Chrissy, like many new moms, struggled with a low milk supply and said that she "felt way more shame having to use 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.
For moms who've experienced a low milk supply — including me — the stress from that can create a negative feedback cycle. Stress — about your low milk supply or anything else — can prevent you from getting a letdown (where your body releases milk), and when you have fewer letdowns, your body doesn't register a need to make as much milk, since breastfeeding is regulated by supply and demand.
You can learn more about postpartum depression here and here.
Chrissy remembered how the endless pumping to try to bring up her milk supply "drove [her] mad."
I remember pumping my ASS OFF, highest mode, so often, because I didn't trust milk was going into their mouthes if I breastfed. it drove me mad to the point I could only get an ounce. an ounce!
Not to mention how much time pumping takes, and how it can mean spending less quality time with your baby and also be physically and mentally isolating.
Ultimately, we should be normalizing formula, not just for parents who want or need to combination-feed or switch to formula, but also for those parents who are never able to breastfeed or never want to.
people have surrogates, people have trouble breastfeeding and all you hear as a new, anxious mom is how breast is best.
"I dunno why this is my crusade now," Chrissy wrote, adding, "I just remember the sadness I felt and want you to know you are doing it right if your baby is fed, mama."
the stress of it, combined with the guilt that you cannot do nature's most natural thing for your own baby is too much. I dunno why this is my crusade now. I just remember the sadness I felt and want you to know you are doing it right if your baby is fed, mama.
Whether babies are formula-fed, combination-fed, or breastfed, Chrissy wants you to know that they're going to be "BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT, AND OKAY."
"normalize breastfeeding" is great. "normalize formula" is great, too! so yeah. that's all! normalize formula! your baby is gonna be BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT, AND OKAY.
Please make this your mantra, to yourself, to new parents, and to any mom-shamers you come across.