Why "Can't" you Breastfeed??

Answer 1

the biggest problem is lack of support (family disagrees, dr dosnt understand the difference in breastfeeding babys and provides info on formula fed baby statistics like weight, lack of information available (people available to solve problems)

mother being unable to disassociate the breasts as sexual objects

infection that could be passed to the baby like aids)

congenital defect in baby that makes sucking impossable (severe cleft pallet)

there are a small percentage who have not been able to make enough milk to support a baby; current estimates run between 2 and 5%.The number one cause of low milk supply is simple "mismanagement", meaning baby is not latched properly over the long term, or mother and baby are not breastfeeding often enough, resulting in inadequate stimulation for good milk production. Close behind is "perceived insufficient milk supply", which refers to the cultural perceptions that cause mothers to conclude that they are not making enough milk when indeed they are and can. This misperception often occurs during growth spurts, or from the ignorant and worrisome comments of friends and relatives about how often baby "should" be eating or how long baby "should" be sleeping at a particular age, resulting in a decision to supplement that causes baby to demand less and thus milk production to truly drop.

Beyond this, hypothyroidism, uncontrolled diabetes, or more rarely retained placental fragments or severe postpartum hemorrhage, can also cause low milk supply, as can birth control pills and shots, especially when started early on.

Answer 2

I really feel for the moms who actually can't breastfeed, for medical reasons. It's such a wonderful thing! But for those who can't breastfeed due to poor latch, I highly recommend a nipple shield. It's just a clear silicone piece that goes over the nipple and makes it larger so that they can latch on easier. I used one for my daughter who had bad jaundice a day after birth because she wasn't nursing well, and she kicked the jaundice and gained lots of weight the first week! They're cheap too - around $6 at BabysRUs or Target, which is a heck of a lot cheaper than formula!

Answer 3

I agree with mslorikoch..it's a cop out. Look this up on the internet. Only 3% of women in the whole entire world truly, medically, truly truly truly can't produce enough milk, but more than 75% of women only in the US think they're in that small percentage. You can breastfeed, you just don't want to or don't want to try hard enough to breastfeed. Don't give me all that crap. That's why I'm so tough in my answers...there is no excuse. I know a lot of women just don't want to and that's fine but please don't come here saying that baby wouldn't latch (that's bullcrap, babies are born knowing how to suckle, you just have to teach them how to latch on correctly, you are just too lazy to do that)..don't have enough milk (more bullcrap, if you latch the baby on correctly and feed when the baby wants to without bottles you will make enough milk)..have to go back to work (so? I went back to work at 6 wks with my kids and i never had to give formula..it's a sacrifice and that's what being a real mother is all about..i pumped and gave my milk to the babysitter..i have other kids to take care of (so? is that your baby's fault? I have 4 kids and i breastfeed my youngest who is 8 mos..that's not an excuse) I'm on meds (and? find one that is compatible with breastfeeding..i did) my breasts are for my husband (well then you are a terrible mother if you care about a man more than your children)

Anyway my point is there is no excuse unless you have no breasts or mammary glands..if you didn't want to breastfeed then just say so and stop making so many lame as* excuses..i've heard them all before

Answer 4

Sometimes the baby just won't latch on, it may take a few days but they should eventually. While pregnant I learned in a pregnancy class that sometimes a womans milk just doesn't "let down" when she tries to feed, it's whats supposed to naturally happen when we start to feed our baby,or even hear a baby cry,or smell one of the babies blankets...they call it "letting down" because seconds after you're baby latches on the woman feels like a weight has been lifted off her chest,like a feeling of relief that sort of travels down you're chest...hard to explain. So if a womans milk doesnt "let down", the baby will just get little bits of milk and the baby would eventually become frustrated, the only other reason I was told why a mother can't breastfeed is if she has inverted nipples, and those women may be able to feed but with a lot of practice.

Answer 5

What a nasty, hurtful answer from mslorikoch. Obviously, she has never known the heartache of having a medical condition that prevents a person from breastfeeding. I had surgery as a teen and milk cannot get to my nipples to feed the baby. My friend is on a medication that is quite dangerous because it comes out in the breast milk. There are a whole host of real, medical reasons why a person cannot breastfeed. Many of us feel bad enough as it is, we certainly don't need uninformed, poorly educated people making us feel worse.

Answer 6

Unless you have a double masectomy there is an extremely slim chance that a woman cannot breastfeed her child. If you are experiencing problems I would go to your local La leche League or lactation consultant and they will be able to help you. Breast is Best:)

Answer 7

Sometimes the breastmilk does not satisfy the baby. I was one of these. My mom tried breast feeding but was constantly feeding me. The doctor told her to swap to formula. I was only a couple of weeks old when they started having to put baby cereal in the formula to satisfy me. They then swapped to putting cereal in 2% milk and that's what I ended up with. Again I was the size of an average 6 month old when I was born. I was a big hungry baby. The doctor said that sometimes big babies need more food than normal.

Answer 8

baby wouldnt latch on.......... then i lost all my milk....
WHY do yall make such a big deal about breastfeeding?? I never drank or smoke to begin with..so thats not the reason why i didn't breastfeed. damn mslorikoch why don't you quit being so rude? Its the mother's choice to breastfeed or bottlefeed. and no other mother should be RUDE about her choice.

Answer 9

It's cop out. They just don't want to and will make any excuse to not do it. It is very rare that a woman can actually not breast feed. Not latching on is a good one. That too is a cop out. They make great pumps these days and milk can be expressed and bottle fed.

They usually want to go back to their old ways of drinking, smoking and drugging so they make up an excuses.

Answer 10

i breastfed for 3 months but then i got sick and had to go on long term medication, so i weaned my son. why do you care? i was formula fed along with all my sisters and we turned out fine. thank god they make formula for the women who truly cannot breastfeed. i know formula isn't as good but if it weren't for formula my son would be drinking god knows what and be sick. or i'd be really really sick because i had to breastfeed him and not go on meds. thank god for good formulas. and mind your own business. it's not your kids, why are you so worried?