I see a lot of memes on Facebook that go something like this:
I had an epidural. Then I had a c-section. Then my baby wouldn’t nurse so I had to formula feed. And now I’m wondering what all the guilt was because your kid eats chicken nuggets and hotdogs just like mine.
Guilt.
I see and hear a serious amount of guilt over birth stories and feeding styles. I get it. And I think I understand you more than you think I do. I don’t advertise it much, but I don’t think epidurals are healthy, I think c-sections are not preferable to a vaginal delivery and I think breast is best.
Have I had an epidural? Yes. I did when I had to have a C-SECTION. And I started buying formula when my first son was about 8 months old because I was pregnant again and very sick and depleted and blah, blah, blah.
My first and third were vaginal deliveries without an epidural. My second was a c-section. I still have three beautiful and healthy children. I many times forget that my middle, my only girl, was my c-section. It doesn’t make her different from other children. She still made it here, folks.
This mom guilt needs to stop. I’m no less of a mom to my daughter because she was a c-section baby. I’m no less of a mom to my oldest because he was on formula for a time. And you are no less of mom if you’re in any of these categories.
Please give yourself a break. And if you didn’t like the way some things turned out with your births and feeding, then reach out to those who can encourage you and perhaps change the stories of your future kids.
I breastfeed. I don’t like epidurals. I don’t like c-sections. I don’t judge you. And it would be ridiculous if I did because I’ve experienced them. I don’t judge you. Stop judging yourself. And at the end of the day, at least you’re not the mom with purple hair.
