For those of you who did not/are not breastfeeding, why not?

Question

Don't want a tirade about what's best or anti-breastfeeding, just curious why you made the choice to formula feed instead.

Answer 1

I didn't feel right breastfeeding.

I know it's suppose to be a good feeling and a good time to bond with baby and all that, but it just wasn't something I felt right about.

My own choice.

Answer 2

I did end up breastfeeding, but I almost didn't. I was going to give it up because it kept hurting, but I stuck with it and eventually my nipples got tougher. Also, my boy bit a lot for a while (I think it was a little teething at the time) and that made me reconsider going to the bottle. Sadly, after six months I ended up bottle feeding because my baby became disinterested in the breast. He kept pulling away (while trying to keep ahold of it) to look at other things. A lot of milk got wasted anyway because he'd often pull away at letdown then not get interested again until I wasn't flowing as much. We had to go to the bottle so that he could move while drinking. The only reason that I wouldn't breastfeed is if it's getting too stressful for me and the baby, if I wasn't producing enough milk, or some other medical reason kept me from breastfeeding. I guess it's not much of a choice then, but while I enjoy the closeness of breastfeeding, I'm perfectly comfortable with formula feeding my child if need be. And aside from the closeness and benefits, I really started trying because breastfeeding was cheaper. Sorry, I know that this was supposed to be about why someone doesn't breastfeed, but I figured that stopping breastfeeding to bottle feed kinda counted. I will say that with our son on formula, it seemed to make the transition to whole milk a little easier. Though we had to transition him from soy to regular formula first.

Answer 3

I have five children. I tried breastfeeding a couple of them but I was so not good at it. Friends were always over and I was uncomfortable feeding in front of people. I couldn't get the hang of doing it discreetly. I never knew if the baby was getting enough milk. I wish God would have put a guage on the side of my boobs. So bottle feeding was the best thing for me and my babies. I was calmer and I knew how much they were getting. Also Dad, Grandmother, etc. can help out too

Answer 4

I tried so hard to breast feed. My daughter wouldn't latch properly no matter what I tried. I was in so much pain that I had to curl my toes each time she tried to latch. I even lost 1/2 of my nipple and still tried, but after I passed out from the pain and my husband found me slumped over with the baby in my lap (asleep), he told me enough is enough. I changed to formula and my baby was never happier than to get a nice big feed.
I hate it when people are holier than thou when it comes to breast feeding. Some women just can't do it, some don't want to, it's their choice. Just like it was their choice to bring the baby into this world.
I am 15 weeks pregnant. I am planning to breast feed, but if I can't do it this time either, I will not put myself or the baby through it, I will stop immediately and change to formula.

Answer 5

I was forced to because my son was born with a soft cleft pallette and couldn't get suction.

A nurse helped me for two days, using special tubes, and bottles, etc. No go. So, had to pump for several months and bottlefeed him the breastmilk. Then, when I dried up, went to formula. (he had it repaired at 9 months)

Breastmilk provides antibodies that will protect the baby's immune system that they cannot get from formula.

Breastfed infants grow faster initially, then slow down as they approach their first birthday. People artificially fed as infants go on to have a higher risk of obesity as adults.
Bottle-fed babies have a higher risk of baby bottle tooth decay.

Immediately after birth, repeated bursts of oxytocin released in response to the baby's sucking cause contraction of the uterus. This protects mothers from postpartum hemorrhage.

It is the natural way for mothers to feed their babies, but sometimes there are legitimate reasons for not being able to. I think some mothers are selfish for going directly to bottles without even trying breastfeeding. But for those who had health issues or pain issues, then no one should judge you.

Answer 6

For me I couldnt. I tried and tried and cried and cried and it just wouldnt work. She wouldnt latch on properly so I was bleeding and scabbed over. I went and saw a lactation specialist and read all the books, magazines, called my mom and mother in law, everthing I could think to do. My first daughter nursed wonderfully from second one so I couldnt figure out what was different with my second baby. We because she wouldnt nurse properly I got a VERY bad mastitis infection that spread to both sides eventually and it got too bad to nurse so I finally said ok enough is enough I dont want my baby being hungry just because I want to make the nursing work so bad so I started to give her formula and she was a whole different baby. She cried less, she slept better, and was actually smiling and could ride in the car without screaming BLOODY murder. So I just let what was left of my milk dry up and went on with my life.
In my theory as long as your baby is eating and healthy I dont think it really matters what they are eating as far as breast milk or formula go. I wish I could have nursed, its cheaper and all that but I couldnt so I used formula and I dont think I am a bad mom for it.

Answer 7

I wasn't producing enough milk to feed my sons after their births. I tried everything from massage techniques all the way to prescription drugs (and everything in between!) and it just wasn't working. I found myself supplementing with formula more and more often, so after a month, I just gave up and switched to formula.

Answer 8

I couldn't breast feed due to inverted nipples(my son couldn't ever latch on). I did pump and he got breast milk for a few months after that he was a formula baby. Another reason is, I just didn't like it.

Answer 9

I didn't physically breast feed my kids, I pumped for 6 months and then formula fed them. It's a personal choice and my kids are very healthy.

Answer 10

i believe in breast feeding, thats what they are there for, not for mens toys or to fill out your clothes
i decided to breastfeed because i knew it was best for my baby
and maybe because i'm a little lazy, there's no formula to mix, no bottle to warm, it's always ready and the right amount, no bottles to wash and it always agrees with baby
theres nothing sweeter than feeding that little baby in your arms and they look up into your eyes, what a wonderful mother moment