For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

What made you decide not to BF?

I know it's a personal decision, but if you wouldn't mind sharing....I would Love to hear why.

Thanks!!!

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I was never really 100% comfy with the entire idea for personal reasons. I also feel like if I am not committed 100% to the task, it will never work. I als plan to go back to work after a few months, and pumping is not practical for me or my job. I also will have enough anxiety worrying about my first child than to worry about whether or not I am feeding him too much, too little or if I am producing enough milk. Being a parent for the first time, will be enough stress.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I'm probably not going to because I have to go right back to work. If I had more time with the baby after birth, I probably would. Its more of a time thing as well. I don't work in a pro-BF kinda of enviroment. Its mostly male and I would be forced to do it in a bathroom stale (not forced, but you know what I mean)

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I never wanted to but I tried it with DS. I will def not even bother this time around. It was just not for me.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Thanks Ladies for responding!!!

Anyone else???

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I can't belive I am postimg this BUT here goes I have a lot of issues with my breast... mainly my nipples.... I don't like them touched, kissed, etc.. Actually, don't like is an understatement... it makes me want to pass out.... i know I am a freak, its definitly a mental this, but I can't fix it, so I don't BF.... thats all...

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

For me.. I had "D" boobs as it is before pregnancy. I am 5'8 and have HORRIBLE posture due to always being self conscious of my height when I was a kid and then it got worse when I "got boobs."

The thought of them being ANY bigger than need be for any longer kills me. I have too many issues with my back/neck.

And to be even more honest..my boobs are very sexual to me and I just don't know if I could look at them the same if I had a baby sucking on them every couple of hours.

That being said.. I am still open to the idea. If I miraculously decide I want to try in the hospital..we will see how it goes, but as of now I am FF all the way!

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I totally thought I was not going to BF. I figured it was too much effort being a new mom. I did try in the hospital and was totally traumatized!! DS was screaming his head off, the LC told me my nippies were flat and was squeezing them and hurting me. I tried 2 more times when I came home and it's just didn't work. I am pumping though but we will see how long that will last. the LC nurses did a good job of making me feel guilty

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Thanks again Ladies for your responses!

Are you concerned about... not giving your DC all the good nutrients that Breast milk has, and formula does not?

That is constantly on my mind. Like I would be a mean mommy for not giving my child the best.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Posted by shell

Thanks again Ladies for your responses!

Are you concerned about... not giving your DC all the good nutrients that Breast milk has, and formula does not?

That is constantly on my mind. Like I would be a mean mommy for not giving my child the best.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Posted by shell

Thanks again Ladies for your responses!

Are you concerned about... not giving your DC all the good nutrients that Breast milk has, and formula does not?

That is constantly on my mind. Like I would be a mean mommy for not giving my child the best.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I do not come from a BF family either.

I think my brother, sister and myself turned out just fine.

It's like BF is pushed on you these days, kwim?

I am still torn with my decision. But, I am leaning more towards FF.

I feel better discussing it.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I have a history of anxiety and depression. I have been on antidepressents for the past 4 years, and they have literally saved my life. I would not be able to take them if I chose to BF my son, and with my high risk of PPD due to my history, I just was not going to take that risk. DS is almost 5 months, a FF baby, and doing great!! Baby # 2 is due in June, and he/she will get formula also. I would much rather my children have a happy, healthy mommy who can be there for them, than breastmilk, JMO.
Don't feel guilty, BF is great, but there are SO many FF babies out there (myself and DH included!), who have turned out perfectly healthy and happy!!

Message edited 9/29/2008 7:22:27 PM.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I am still on the fence about trying again ...My DS was not a good latcher which was o-k with me because BF was never a "must" for me, I basically said- I'll give it a try, if it works , it does, if not formula is fine too....I did pump with my DS for the 1st 8 weeks and its extremely time consuming - no lie(supp. w/ formula), so having a very active toddler and pumping may not be in the cards for me this time - I'll probably give it a whirl in the hospital and see from there- I feel the same way as I did with my 1st- no expectations, no dissapointments= no regrets ...I'm not putting any undue stress on myself over something that isn't a necessity for me (JMO)...

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I pretty much knew it wasn't for me wayy before he was born.

I wasn't worried about the nutrients bc they get so much from the formula.

I don't regret it one bit and will not breastfeed any babies in the future.


Being a good mom has nothing to do with what/how you feed your babies IMO.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Mine is a combo of all the PPs. Mainly agree with Flatbread. Going back to work in 12 weeks, and my job can get so hairy, sometimes I forget to pee, let alone pump!

I really want DH and other family to share in the feedings, and bond with the baby too, and I feel like they'll have very few opportunities to do so if I BF.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Posted by shell

Thanks again Ladies for your responses!

Are you concerned about... not giving your DC all the good nutrients that Breast milk has, and formula does not?

That is constantly on my mind. Like I would be a mean mommy for not giving my child the best.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I was never comfortable with the idea being I am a very private person I dont feel comfortable with being exposed and having anyone helping me like a lactation specialist..and DH also wanted to be able to feed and help me out..I was going to try with #2 because everyone made me feel bad that I didnt with my first but I had a horible reaction to the spinal and didnt get to see my DD for a few hours and when I did I just wanted to hold her and DH fed her the bottle..I am not even considering it this time around.. I have 2 other healthy babies that did fine on formula and I know mostly formula fed babies and they are all perfectly healthy..I think its definately a personal decision that only you have to be ok with..When I didnt BF I was questioned by everyone about my decision and I think that was wrong.. Good luck with your decision

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

A few other reasons in my mind are:
1) I can't see myself watching what I eat or what medicines I take any longer than the 9 mths while pg (esp things like fish, peanuts, etc)
2) I feel it is very demanding,since only mom can do it, and feel our rest is also important esp the first mth or so after delivery
3) I did research and the reasons I was considering it didn't really pan out (for ex, my DH has asthma and allergies and I did some research to see if BF would prevent that in a child. I have found overwhelming research that says it does not prevent allergies or asthma)
4) I am not entirely comfortable with the process in general
5) I would like to leave my boobs alone so my body can go back to prepg as best as possible
6) I would never do it in public, which is what BF sort of calls for unless you pump which
7) pumping seems quite uncomfortable and time consuming
8) as someone stated above, I find BF would take away some of the sexual aspect of the breast which I have always highly associated the two
9) the thought of anyone wanting to HELP me, touch my breasts, watch me, etc (such as a LC) freaks me out. I only want my dh and myself near my boobs (or of course if a dr had to examine them, I deal with that)
10) I wasn't BF, neither was DH, actually NOT one person I know in my family (alot of cousins) was and also, not one of my family members who has recently had babies BFs and everyone is just fine.

It even bothers me when ANYONE who is not pg currently or a recent mom wants to ASK me about it, such as an aunt of mine who never had children. I don't get why she cares enough to ask? . Or my annoying FIL who for some reason had the nerve to ask. Next time anyone asks, I will tell them it's none of their business and NOT up for discussion, that's for sure.

Now...can I still change my mind? I do still think about it, just from cost and a good for my baby aspect and less worry about toxins in formula, water, etc...but I highly doubt I will do it.

Not looking for any debates on my reasons above, it's just my reasons.

Message edited 9/30/2008 12:16:30 AM.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Goobster, You made ALOT of great reasons.

I totaly agree with....I can't see myself having to watch what I eat or taking medicines. 9 months is long enough.

But, I did hear that BF does prevent asthma and allergies. Hearing from you that you researched it, and it doesn't....makes me feel better.

I know that they claim it helps prevent breast cancer. I believe it was 5%.

Message edited 9/30/2008 8:49:49 AM.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

Message edited 9/30/2008 2:16:36 PM.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I was never comfortable with the thought of BF. I'm not comfortable with my chest as it is and I couldn't imagine my chest being bigger or even BF on them.
Also my DH is very into boobs. I felt if I BF it would also change his feeling toward them, but that was secondary to the fact that I couldn't not imagine myself BF.
I thought about trying briefly when I was about 7 months pg, but when I really sat down and thought about it I knew I would never be comfortable with it.

Re: For Mommies who are NOT going to BF...Please Come In!!!

I told DH I would pump, b/c it's 'good of the baby to have breastmilk' but I have ZERO interest in nursing ..........My boobs are MINE - Sorry kid, but I'm giving you complete control of my body for 9 months, and then my undivided attention for the rest of my life ........I think I can keep my boobs to myself -

And I KNOW it's 'natural' but it doesn't feel natural to me ........and I don't want to do it - I don't see it as a bonding experience, I see it as me being the freaking milk cow and the only one who can feed the baby ........No thanks - I am MORE than willing to share the responsibilities !!!

I have no interest in anyone seeing me pump, I don't want to be near a mirror when I pump - As far as I'm concerned, the baby will get my milk for 6 months until I go back to work ......... - He doesn't need to get it himself from my breast -