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Christmas at Gaylord Opryland includes lots of family fun for all ages. WIN a Christmas Getaway to Gaylord Opryland Package!

We are giving away a Christmas Getaway to Gaylord Opryland package — up to a $1,000 value! The package includes twonight room accommodations for up to a family of four (one room); admission to ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer; admission to tubing; and resort fees, taxes and self-parking for one car. The package is valid Sun - Thu, Nov. 11 - Jan. 1, 2023, based on availability and excluding New Year's Eve. ICE! is back this year for visitors to step inside a wonderland carved by expert artisans out of 2 million pounds of colorful ice! See larger-than-life sculptures, plunge down ice slides and more! Learn more at christmasatgaylordopryland.marriot.com.

WIN a Four-Pack to Land of Illusion!

We are giving away a family four-pack of tickets to Land of Illusion's Christmas Glow — a $36 value. Tickets Visit Santa Claus at Land of Illusion. include the drive-thru light experience and a visit to Christmas Village! Celebrate the season with more than 3.8 millions lights, plus visit with Santa in the Village. Enjoy the 45-foot tall Christmas tree as you warm up by the fire. Southwest Ohio's largest Christmas lights drivethru event will dazzle your holidays with the lights, shops and more.

Learn more at landofillusion.com/glow.

Enter to win at cincinnatifamilymagazine.com by clicking on the "Contests" tab through November 11.

ON THE COVER

Cover Kid, Bella, photographed by Say Yes to Jess Photography at ABC Pediatric Therapy in West Chester. Bella is wearing apparel from Once Upon a Child. Join us on Facebook for contests giveaways and more!

Question:

What's your best piece of advice for a new mom who wants to combo feed and not feel guilty about it (formula + breastmilk)?

“I despise the guilt that moms feel over this decision. I have no room to talk. I cried like a baby when I gave my oldest her first bottle of formula. But then after a few days I started to get some sleep and realized she wasn't crying because she wasn't hungry. I wasn't crying because I was no longer exhausted from constant feeding. And my husband was no longer wringing his hands because there was nother he could do to stop the stress I was putting on myself. Fed is ALWAYS best. Breastfeeding is hard. I admire any woman who manages to do it successfully. But formula is not evil. It felt that way at first, but then I came to realize it was absolutely the right decision for me."

Rhonda Brewer Luthy

“Don't stress out or feel guilty. It happens. Keep trying as long as Baby can, but you know your baby is healthy regardless of breastfeeding or formula. But like I said, I would not stress over it."

Jamie Staples Gray

“Healthy is the goal! Fed is best! That baby will eventually drink cow's milk and eat McDonald's. Give yourself grace, momma!"

Nikki Snell

"As hard as it was to start supplementing and eventually exclusively use formula, the stressfulness of not knowing if I was producing enough milk was so hard. So once I started making the switch — and accepted that I could no longer exclusively breastfeed — there was a huge sense of relief knowing I didn't have to worry or stress about my supply running low anymore. But there were definitely tears and guilt at first."

Allison Schweizer Clim

“I'm confused about what there is to feel guilty for ... making sure a child is being fed? Would you feel guilty if the child were adopted? If you once had breast cancer and couldn't breastfeed? There's a million reasons for a child to take formula, and despite the horror stories you may hear, nobody else really cares how you feed your child. The point is that you do. It sound like this parent is definitely on it!"

Kendra Westerberg

“Breast milk is the best, so hopefully she will continue to nurse even if Baby doesn't get much. Supplement as a last resort. Human milk is always better than cow milk."

Darlene Clayton Miller

“Support matters. If your friend is local, have her check out SW Ohio Breastfeeding Moms. [There are] lots of moms who've been through a variety of situations and resources to connect with lactation specialists for addressing supply concerns."

Kelly Fortenboher

“Why is everyone making moms nowadays feel guilty about feeding their babies formula?? Who cares? As long as they are fed and healthy! It’s ridiculous!"

Jane Boesken-Clements Sullivan

Editor's Note:

The opinions expressed here are from other readers. For expert advice, please consult with your doctor.