anyone NOT breastfeeding?

i put alot of thought into it..and i decided not to breastfeed...my mil and my mom didnt breastfeed so they are with me..but everyone else seems to have something negative to say about it..is there anything really HORRIBLE about bottle feeding?everyone tells me i will have a hard time at the hospital with nurses and doctors trying to push me to do it..im starting to feel guilty..i dont want to be pressured into something i dont want to do...any info on the benefits of bottlefeeding or uplifting would be appreciated...THANKS

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

It's absolutely your choice to do what ever you want, and don't feel pressured by ANYONE! Do you mind if i ask why you've decided not to?

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I dont think I will be either and when people hear this they are APPALED! I can't believe some of the things people have said to me about it so now whenever the conversation comes up I just say "We haven't decided yet".
If you don't want to breastfeed, then DON'T! The first time the nurse asks you be firm in your answer and DO NOT let ANYONE guilt you into this.
PLENTY of people were not breastfeed and have gone on to live normal and healthy lives.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I will not be breastfeeding either and so far no one has really given me a hard time about it.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I was not breast fed as a baby, and I think I turned out just fine! I have had a lot of people ask me this question, and I politely tell them that I am not comfortable discussing it with them. It's no one's business. I really do not want to breast feed, however, I have decided to give it a try just so I can make a decision based on actually trying it, but I think it's personal and no one else's business. I would just stop discussing it with anyone other than your husband.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I dont think I will either, not sure I can do it with twins.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I didnt breastfeed with my dd. I tried, but it was just very awkward. I didnt feel like it was a beutifull bonding moment, i just felt weird. Plus, i started having contractions again, and i was not wanting to feel that all over agian.
I dont know if i will try again if and when i have another child. Breastfeeding is cheaper, it provides good antibodies for the baby, and you get your shape back faster. But if i get that weird feeling agian, i have no problem bottle feeding. I still shared the "feeding bond" with my DD even though it was from a bottle.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

Don't let anyone bully you... it's such a personal decision! And, truly, breastfeeding is such a hard task, it really is, that if you're not into it 100%, you will get frustrated very easily. As for the benefits - there are a few - appealing to most women, when you breastfeed, you lose the weight much quicker because your body is burning up so many calories. Also, there is evidence that breastfeeding provides nutrients that formula just can't replicate, providing extra health benefits to baby (but, then again, most of our generation were raised on formula, and we all seem to be ok, right?). It's also easier to BF at night. If baby wakes up at 3am, it's a whole lot easier to just breastfeed as opposed to running downstairs, preparing a bottle and heating it up. And, trust me, most babies don't have the patience to wait.

There are a lot of pros and cons with each - do a little research online and I'd suggest you make your decision from there! For me, personally, breastfeeding really didn't sit well with me when I was pregnant- it kind of freaked me out. But, I decided I would give it a try and for me, it worked out really well. But, everyone is different! You have to go with what you're most comfortable with...

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I am the exact opposite. I hope to breastfeed, and people have negative things to say about that. My mother wishes me the best with it, but everyone else can't understand why i would. I think people just like to have something to say.do what is right for you

Message edited 5/5/2006 10:34:36 AM.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

At this point and time, I am still undecided. But I believe that I am leaning more toward the I don't think I will.
As above posters stated, when someone asks, just tell them that it is a little personal for you to discuss with them. Honestly - it is no ones business whatever you choose.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

The only difference that I see between breastfeeding & formula is that formula might not have all the essential vitamins/fats that an infant needs. Otherwise, as long as the baby is getting the nutrients he/she needs, then you have the right to choose whether you want it to be thru your breast or bottle. Don't let anyone guilt you in what YOU think is right for you & your child.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I think that it is absolutely your choice and there is nothing wrong with forumula feeding. I was formula fed and I turned pretty good. And, I think I'm a smart person

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

AS someone who did breastfeed, I support you 100% in your decision. I still can't believe in this day and age someone could say something about the choices you are making for your child. There is nothing horrible about bottle feeding at all.... It seems as though you thought it through and your decision is a personal one and that's just it.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I have no intentions of breastfeeding. I've given it lots of thought even prior to becoming preggo and I'm just not comfortable with it.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I am very pro BF'd, I did it for almost 2 years, but I would never make anyone feel bad if it wasn't for them. I hate when people do that to new Mom's. Like your crazy hormones and this new little person isn't enough stress. BF is not easy in the beginning and it is definitely not for every woman. Good for you for knowing yourself

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I tried the first minute that she was born but she wasn't grabbing on to my breast properly and I was in pain from the episiotomy that I couldn't sit properly so I gave her formula. I didn't give up and I still tried but I guess she got used to the bottle, that she didn't want anything else.

It's such a personal choice, at first I felt so guilty because I though I deprived her of something but now she is almost two and is such an amazing and healthy little girl/

You do what's in your heart.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I'm not breastfeeding. The only way I'll even consider pumping is if the babies are premature and the doctor feels it is the best course of action.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I am not breastfeeding either. I never wanted to from the very start. My personal decision. You won't believe what i have heard from people. I just don't answer anymore. Even now that i am having twins and everyone assumes the reason i am not is it will be too much work, i hear people telling me i should do it and it's not that hard. Seriously mind your own business.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I'm going to attempt to, but Christopher never latched on and it didn't bother me, so if this baby doesn't, I'm not going to be the least bit bothered. IMO, people have no right judging you. Formula is so good now that it's REALLY close (nutritionwise) to breast milk. People that aren't even close to you have no right even asking in the first place. I was so surprised about how many people asked me in my first pregnancy if I was or wasn't.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I have absolutely no intentions to breastfeed and no one can/could convince me otherwise. (You couldn't make me feel bad about my decision if you tried. )

I wasn't BF'd, nor my sister, my DH or his brothers and we turned out healthy.

Formula is in my baby's best interest since I have to have one of the worst diets in the world.

Message edited 5/5/2006 1:01:35 PM.

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?

I'm not going to, and I swear, sometimes I feel like I'm the only one. All of the women that I work with ask me if I'm going to nurse, because they all did. It seems like hardly anybody formula feeds anymore, whereas years ago it seemed like it was the exact opposite.

BF'ing is just not something I'm comfortable with. Me and my 3 siblings were formula fed, and we're all extremely healthy and intelligent, so I don't see that formula feeding my baby is all that bad.
It's much more convenient too, and for a working mom, that's important.

DH is a little disappointed over my decision, but hey, it's my body.....

Do what is comfortable for you; don't listen to what anyone else says and don't let them pressure you or make you feel bad. Your baby will do just fine on formula!

Re: anyone NOT breastfeeding?