One week after giving birth,Carly Waddellis unapologetic in her choice to stop breastfeeding her newborn son.
Opening up to her followers, the newly minted mom-of-two, 34, revealed her decision Wednesday on Instagram, along with aphotoof herself holding cabbage leaves on her chest in order to help soothe pains that come with engorged breasts.
“I had all these hopes and dreams that postpartum would be easier this time. But I still ache. I’m healing. I’m [tired],” she wrote in her caption.
TheBachelor in Paradisestar and her husbandEvan Basswelcomed sonCharles “Charlie” Wolfeon Nov. 12. Since the little one joined the family, Waddell said it’s been a “beautiful and painful” learning experience.
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Carly Waddell/Instagram
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Waddell described difficulties getting Charlie adapted to breastmilk, comparing theexperienceto the one she had with her firstborn, 20-month-old daughterIsabella “Bella” Evelyn.
Going against what she thought other moms would say was “best,” Waddell opted to try the same formula with Charlie to much success — since making the switch, she said Charlie is relaxed, able to sleep and smiling anew.
“This time, I had hopes that Charlie would be different. But it just isn’t the case,” she wrote. “I decided to stop breastfeeding and try him on the same formula Bella was on, and within a bottle or two he was so happy.”
Evan Bass and Carly Waddell with Charlie and Bella.Carly Waddell/ Instagram
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Waddell said she didn’t let the expected backlash that she fully anticipated sway her decision-making process when it came to what worked best for her child.
“There is such a stigma about breastfeeding,” she explained. “If you don’t do it, you don’t care about your children’s health. You don’t love you kids enough. You’re being selfish. You just aren’t being a good enough mom.”
She continued: “But the one huge thing I found this time is that I made a really hard decision within myself as a mom to listen to my gut about what was best for my child. And you know what…it worked. He is soooo happy and that is all that matters.”
source: people.com
