AceShowbiz - "The Bachelorette" alum Andi Dorfman opened up about her struggle as a new mom, sharing her experience with feeding her newborn daughter, Harper. The 37-year-old mother revealed that her initial plans to were altered following unexpected medical challenges and the necessity to have her baby formula-fed in NICU.

The story began when curious fans slid into Dorfman's DMs inquiring about her feeding methods. Dorfman began by sharing her own experience as a baby, "Okay, first and foremost, my sister and I both were formula-fed babies. So I feel like that was kind of always within my plan."

Initially, Dorfman had planned to use a pump, intending to measure her baby's intake accurately. However, Harper's unexpected stay in the NICU led the hospital staff to feed her formula. This development shifted Dorfman's plans when she noticed that Harper was thriving on formula.

"She was actually doing really well on the formula so we brought a lot of that home from the hospital," she explained. Attempting to pump several times at home, Dorfman was met with a difficult challenge: her milk supply had not come in yet.

Just as they were settling in at home, Dorfman faced another significant hurdle - a personal health crisis. She underwent surgery to remove two hematomas a week after giving birth, further complicating her efforts to pump milk.

"So we just kept on the formula. And then, big wrench got thrown in the plans - as you know, I ended up having to have surgery myself. So that, I feel like, kind of stalled the pumping as well," she said.

Despite her attempts to pump post-surgery, Dorfman found her body unresponsive. "I tried like one or two more times to pump and there was absolutely nothing coming out. Weird part is I never had pain. I didn't have any engorgements, I didn't have those side effects that people talk about when they stop pumping. I just kind of skipped over that," she elaborated. She eventually decided to fully formula feed Harper, who has since been thriving and gaining weight well.

Dorfman also addressed the prevalent stigma surrounding feeding choices, advocating for a judgment-free approach. "I hope this story helps somebody. I don't know why there's so much judgment and stigma when it comes to formula feeding," she stressed.

Dorfman concluded with a heartfelt reminder to all parents, "Just remember, fed is best. And fortunately, Harper is very well fed."