For those who have chosen to breastfeed. Which of the many reasons inspired you to do it?

Question

For me, it was simply because I could. God built me to do this job and that is what I felt I needed to do for my son. I have not regretted one day of it.

jellybean (khalis, axumult, - whatever) I did not ask for reasons people chose not to or could not breastfeed. Nor did I make any negative comment about formula feeding. I am simply asking those who did do it what specific reason inspired them.
Please keep this question positive.

Answer 1

What you give as your reasons pretty much sum up my feelings in a nutshell. :) It was very hard at first...my little girl was 5 wks preemie, had to be in the NICU for almost a week...the first few weeks at home were a sleepless blur of pumping milk, washing pump parts after every pumping, trying to nurse, having to use a nipple shield b/c she was too weak to latch on properly without it...but now we're golden...she's growing like a weed (a beautiful one at that!), she's totally weaned off the nipple shield, and I'm so glad I stuck with it. I seriously thought about giving up more than once during those first weeks, but God gave me the perseverance...it paid off. :) BUT--I don't condemn anyone who formula feeds--every once in awhile my baby gets a bottle too. And I know for some, bf just can't happen...but anyway that's my (rather long lol) answer to your Q. :)

Answer 2

truthfully at first it was because formula is expensive and we were dirt poor. After that it was because of the bonding experience. And I'm sure I'll be the first to say that I didn't do it to lose weight. lol My first three fed for about 6 months and then said the heck with mom as soon as they could hold a bottle, but my last nursed for two years before she was ready to give it up. (she's the baby and the last so was spoiled a bit.) And she may or may not be healthier for it. But I do know she has not had even a 1/4 of the colds or infections that the other three have had. Either way it was a good experience all the way around.

Answer 3

I was young, we were just starting out and had no money. That played a big part in my decision to breastfeed. I also just loved the idea of breastfeeding, and being the only one who could feed my son. Also having him that connected to me seemed so special. It didn't work out the way I'd hoped or expected. He began to steadily lose weight, and at 4 months he was back to his birth weight! It was a very scary time for us, but at the advice of my doctor, I put him on formula and our problems were over. However, I'm really glad that I tried, and would definitely try it again.

Answer 4

I breastfed both of my children. My son for 2 years and my daughter for 4 months. My son LOVED nursing from day one and my daughter HATED it. I made her nurse for the first 4 months only because of the health benefits. I felt like a failure as a mother when I had to put her on formula but she, along with my son is incredibly healthy. I chose to breastfeed because of the benefits for both Mother and child. Plus it is free!!!

Answer 5

Well in the beginning I was just going to try it to see how it went. I tried it solely because of the health benefits for the baby. I thought if I could do it for a few weeks then she would be better off. After I got the hang of it I thought I would do it for six months. After a couple of months went by I thought I would do it for a year. Now that a year has passed I realize that I'm not putting any date on weaning because it's such a short precious time.

So I was inspired to do it for health reasons. I continue to do it because of the closeness I'm able to share with my daughter. No one else gets to have that, and no one can take it away from us. When you breastfeed your baby looks at you like you are their source of life (which you are). They're hard-wired to be breastfed and bonded with their mother. I would never give up one second of nursing her, and I try to educate moms-to-be to breastfeed and not give up.

Answer 6

Okay, not to sound mean but I originally did it to help lose weight, but now at two months, I am still doing it. I love that I don't have to go make a bottle in the middle of the night, or worry if I have formula when we go out somewhere, and I also love the bonding time it gives my daughter and I. It's something her and I have an noone else gets to "cut" into. I know it is healthier and such for her...but then again she was 10 1/2 lbs at birth..of my four she is definately the healthiest.

Answer 7

I chose to breast food all 3 of my kids. I chose it the first time because my mother hated the idea...lol. Then I found out the benifits of breastfeeding. So many for the baby and mom. I recomend every one atleast give it a try. Even if you dont like it you can always stop. I loved every minute of it except the dreadful first 3 weeks of my middle child who enverted my nipples. But other than that I loooved it.

Answer 8

I chose not too with my first 3 children.I had never seen anyone breastfeed and felt awkward and even blamed my not wanting to on past sexual abuse. Baby #3 had horrible problems with formula and was coliky and would cry hours on end, one day when he was like 3-4 days old he started sucking on my arm and this feeling just came over me that I was denying him his basic want and instinct, at that moment I got over my issues and problems with breastfeeding and nursed my child. It didn't last long due to his protien allergy issues, but when I got pregnant with the twins I knew from day one I would nurse them, though I did plan to use formula as well. They are 3 months old and they both find much comfort in nursing and I know they are getting great benefits from it as well. I've even come far enough as to breastfeed in public if the babies want/need it.

Answer 9

I did it because it is natures perfect nourishment. If it wasn't, then why would formula companies spend so much money on research trying to duplicate it? I nursed and pumped milk because I work full time. My daughter got breast milk for 13 months. Even with the cost of my dual breast pump, I saved a lot of money then if I had to buy formula. My daughter started teething at 6 months and started biting me. At 8 months we were both done nursing, but I continued to pump for 5 more months. My daughter was also diagnosed with Down's Syndrome before birth, and after reading that nursing helps babies with DS in both muscle development in their tongue and eye coordination, it was another reason to try. Babies with DS are also prone to ear infections and studies have shown that babies who are breastfed have none or minimal ear infections. I am ttc my second and I will definitely breastfeed again.

Answer 10

I breastfed because it was more convenient and it was so much more healthier for the baby Just think in the middle of the night and you run out of formula you don't have to stand in line at a market