Emily Carter Moves Past Guilt and Transitions from Breastfeeding to Formula

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Feb. 9, 2022

The actress candidly discusses her challenges with milk production for her and Ryan Smith’s 2-month-old baby: “I felt like my body was failing.”

Mothers experiencing low milk supply quickly recognized the unique yellow-capped bottle with thin tubes that Emily Carter shared in a recent Instagram post. Known as a supplemental nursing system (SNS), this device is often one of the last resorts for parents whose babies aren’t getting enough breast milk.

Emily shared her exhaustive list of attempts: “two lactation experts, lactation soups, three breastfeeding pillows, liters of coconut water, lactation teas, gummies, vitamins, cookies, nipple creams, skin-to-skin contact, heating pads to boost circulation, and three different breast pumps.”

In her post, she demonstrated how to wear the SNS bottle around her neck and used medical tape to secure the tubing to her (clothed) breast. This setup allows babies to receive milk from both breast and bottle, which can help stimulate milk production even after the breast is emptied.

Some adoptive, surrogate, and low-supply mothers appreciate the experience that the SNS provides, while others prefer not to have a reminder of inadequacy attached to them.

Emily, however, has moved on. “None of it worked!” she exclaimed in her video. “I cried and cried. I felt like my body was failing. I worried I wouldn’t connect with my baby.”

“But then I said forget it.”

“Breastfeeding is good,” she captioned a video of her joyfully nursing her little one. “And so is formula,” read the text over video of him eagerly drinking from a bottle.

There isn’t definitive data on how many mothers experience low milk supply. Nursing advocates often reassure new parents that “true” low supply is uncommon, but for those like Emily, the struggle is all too real. Research indicates a connection between infertility, particularly conditions like PCOS, and low milk supply, with the CDC noting that up to 12% of women may have PCOS.

It’s unclear from Emily’s post whether she plans to combine breast milk with formula or switch to exclusive formula-feeding. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. Like all parents, she’s simply doing her best to care for her newborn, who, in time, will remember the love he received rather than the specifics of how he was fed.

Emily concluded her video with a supportive message for mothers facing low milk supply and others: “Do whatever you need to feed your baby and don’t let anyone make you feel bad about it.”

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In summary, Emily Carter openly shared her breastfeeding struggles, ultimately deciding to transition to formula feeding. Her message emphasizes the importance of doing what is best for both mother and child, encouraging other parents to prioritize love and care over societal pressures.