Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

Can you talk to me about this decision and how you feel about it now? I am going back and forth but the thought of ebf gives me tremendous anxiety

Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

To me it just wasn't that important. I gave it a shot but my ds was crying 24/7 cause he wasn't getting enough. Which in turn was making me stressed. Our happiness was so much more important than BF.

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

For me it was never something that was for me. My son was in nicu so I felt like I had to try pumping bc every other mother was. One day by ob came in and I was trying to pump and crying. He told me it is not for everyone and I should not feel bad. That day I stopped. It is a personal decision and it is not for everyone!

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

I had always planned to breastfeed. When DS was born he went to the NICU and they gave him formula. Between my breast reduction, nipple issues, latching issues and not being able to attempt BFing right away, I had everything against me. I was able to pump, and did for 3 weeks, supplementing with formula and still tried to get past the latch issues. Now DS is totally on formula because I'm not producing. I'm taking galactagogues in hopes of relactating, but Ive accepted that DS is on formula and THRIVING. I have no moral opposition to formula, it's perfectly fine, I just really wanted the experience of being able to nourish DS in the way my body was intended to.

I had lots of anxiety about not being able to breastfeed, but it's just one means to an end and ultimately a happy, healthy baby is all any of us want

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

It was something that I figured I would try and if it worked out, great, and if not then that was ok too. 2 weeks after my first ds was born, I got mastitis along with a 105 fever. I thought I was going to die. I didn't enjoy breastfeeding to begin with and wasn't entirely comfortable with it, but that episode sealed it for me. I've since had 3 more dc, none of whom I breastfed. They all turned out fine, and I am fine with it too.

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

I never once in my entire adult life had a desire to breastfeed.
I wasn't going to "try" it.
I wasn't going to "see how it went"
I wasn't going to "think about it"

NEVER EVER was it even a thought.

NEVER EVER did I feel guilty for that either.
Maybe there is something majorly wrong with me.
Maybe I shouldn't have reproduced
Maybe I don't have the mom gene.

However, I saw my DD thriving, healthy and meeting developmental milestones EARLY every single day.
All this while on formula.
And that was enough for me.

DD was and is super healthy. Rarely ever sick.

I really saw no benefit in breastfeeding/
I don't see one thing that could have been better in my DD's health and intellect, etc had I chosen breast feeding over formula feeding.

My views on the subject aren't popular in this day and age. But I really don't care.
I do what's best FOR ME.

Message edited 11/16/2013 6:51:42 PM.

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

With my first daughter I tried to breastfeed and she couldn't latch on right so I went to formula. With my second daughter I knew right away I wasn't going to do it, it wasn't for me. It also gives my husband time to feed the baby so it wasn't all on me. I didn't feel guilty the second time around. My first daughter thrived on formula and is four now. You do what's best for you.

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

never had a desire,never will

im ok with formula no matter what people say

whatever you decide is fine,as long as you want to do it,not bc other people told you what is best

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

I was so happy when I finally allowed myself to stop pumping and switch to formula.

I was finally able to bond instead of just stress.

Happy mom = happy baby.

I do not plan to even try next time around... absolutely no guilt.

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

I breastfeed exclusively -- but you mentioned finding lots of stress with the idea of ebf. You don't have to EXCLUSIVELY breastfeed in order to breastfeed. You can always do a little of both and supplement with formula. Maybe thinking in those terms will take some pressure off.

I originally intended on BFing and supplementing but I ended up liking it so much that I EBF. There's no need to decide now. Good luck!

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

I never attempted to breast feed and have absolutely no regrets about it what so ever...I'm currently pregnant with number 2 and will do formula only also

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

It never crossed my mind not to breastfeed. I was nervous about it, but that is normal I think. My best advice is to not stress. My 1st was horrible lol. She had a bad latch and it took awhile to get it right so we gave pumped bottles until we were both chill enough. With my 2nd it was just natural. He latched and was excellent at it. It is a lot of work and some days it was torture to stay awake, but in the end I'm glad I did it. I also had a lot of support from my DH and family. My sister has 12 kids so she was right there to help if I needed tips. It's not normal to not make enough milk so I would try not to stress about that. It does happen about 20% of the time they say, but again that isn't the norm. As for how you hold baby is up to you. Try all sorts of things. We looked silly nursing, but it worked for us. The 1st week is the hardest I would say in getting the right latch, milk adjusting, and just being exhausted. Having good tools also helped. A Boopy, good nursing bras and tanks, the proper pj's, good breast pads and lots of quick snacks and water.
I think if you want to do it you should try it, but don't let 1 or 2 sessions nursing sway you. There is a learning curve. Good luck!

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

I tried for 10 days. DS wasn't gaining weight and was clearly still hungry. I was also having a lot of pain, was exhausted and stressed. It just wasn't working for us so we changed DS to formula. I felt guilty at first, but then I knew it was the right decision.

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

I tried for a week with #1 & we were both miserable. I wasn't producing enough for him & it was physically painful for me. Hearing him crying & knowing that it was time for another feeding made me cringe with dread because I would anticipate the pain that was going to come. Wasn't worth it for me.

With #2, I just did it at the hospital & knew we were going to stop as soon as we got home.

I do wish it was easier on us but I never really had the desire to anyway.

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

I never had any desire to breastfeed. It's not for me. But I did want them to have breastmilk if possible so I decided I would pump. For me, I thought it was best b/c they could get breastmilk but I didnt necesarily have to be the one feeding them, I would know exactly how much they drank so it wouldnt be a guessing game like with breastfeeding and I wouldnt have to worry about certain issues like latching etc. I figured I would see how long I could do it for.

My twins ended up being born at 30 weeks so that was one reason I became really driven to give them breastmilk. I was able to give them only breastmilk for 3 months and when it came time that they were eating more then I was making I was perfectly fine with giving the formula also.

It's a personal decision for everyone. Everyone has their own reasons why or why not. It's something you have to want to do otherwise you will not be giving it your all and it will become very stressful. If you dont want to do it then dont. And dont let anyone tell you what you should do or how you should feel.

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

In the grand scheme of having a baby, as long as your baby is fed and happy, HOW the baby is fed doesn't matter.

I was going to 'try' to breastfeed, but decided to formula feed. 3 kids later, best decision I made. I never sit feeding my baby and think, "oh man, I should have breastfed him/her." Baby looks up at you while eating either way, and has that 'satisfied' look and falls asleep sweetly on you either way. My kids are happy, and healthy.

Years from now it won't be an issue on HOW you fed your baby. Don't make yourself crazy. Happy mom=happy baby.

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

Re: Women Who Do Not Breastfeed

With my first I tried and it didnt work. It caused me a lot of stress and grief. With my 2nd I didn't even try and felt no guilt whatsoever. Having a 3rd and am not attempting. No regrets.