Breastfeeding - why do people look down on those who didn't with their children?

Answer 1

How do they know if you did or didn't breast feed? Its no ones business whether you do or don't.

Answer 2

I don't though there are some here who think I do. Just as anyone who has an opinion of anything else, there are those that just cannot accept and respect the opinions and decisions of others. Now, specific to the subject of breastfeeding - some do guilt formula feeding mothers about their decision and that is just so wrong. But on the other side of the coin, why can't I support or ask a question about breastfeeding without being called a Boob Nazi?
Many times I answer certain questions about breastfeeding that put me in the position of defending my decision. Yes, I come off sounding superior but don't we all when we are trying to convince others that we are doing what we feel is right?
I do not look down on individuals who do not breastfeed but I do criticize a society that does not see this as 'normal'. Society makes it difficult for breastfeeders to feed their children in public, pump at work, breastfeed past the age of 12 months. Society tells people to quit if it hurts (it does for the first couple of weeks) or when the child cuts teeth. Society tells us that we have to quit when we have a blocked duct or thrush. It is tiring.
Most of the time what you might be hearing from me is not superiority but frustration. I don't have a problem with people who do not breastfeed but I do have a problem with the anti-breastfeeding attitude.

added: I don't understand (not a problem with them, I just don't understand) those that say formula feeding is easier though. I didn't have to wash bottles, prepare formula at 3:00am, or run to the store at an inconvenient time for formula. It always seemed so easy just to lift up my shirt and pop my nipple into my son's mouth.

Answer 3

Well, breastfeeding is best, and some feel like women who don't breastfeed don't care enough to do what is best for their children.

These people do not always stop to consider that many women CAN'T breastfeed, or the struggles to breastfeed would be so demanding that they would not be able to care for their baby. I have been on both sides. I breastfed my first born with no problems, until I took a job that made it way too difficult(he was 8 months old). My second could not latch on correctly, and after trying many, many pumps, I gave up. My third also had problems latching on, but I found a very good, easy to use pump, and fed her that way for almost a year. Believe it or not, I would have women make rude comments to me because I was not breastfeeding!! I was getting up twice a night to pump for MONTHS after the baby was sleeping all night. Needless to say, I was not nice to these "holier-than-thous!!" AND I got some idea of what women go through who do use formula!

I have a friend who takes daily meds, and she should not breastfeed while on them, but off of them she is a total mess. She went without them for 9 months, but started again after the baby was born. I don't feel like it is anyones business, but she has had other women really get snooty! I think I would loose it. I guess the moral is this- People should mind their own business!

Answer 4

I have breastfed two children and I don't look down on the people who don't breastfeed. It's a personal choice. I wouldn't want someone telling me that I had to do something so I don't think it's right for me to tell people that they have to do something. I do like to encourage other women to try breastfeeding though. I think that if there were more information available to mothers and more help out there, women could make a more informed choice on whether or not to breastfeed. I have had people (not many)look down on me because I breastfeed but I just ignore them. My husband's cousin asked me if it was inconvenient because I choose not to breastfeed in public so I have to find somewhere private to breastfeed. I think it's more convenient than having to make all of those bottles of formula. I do use some formula, by the way. I mix it with my son's cereal.

I just hope people can stop trashing each other's personal decisions and be more supportive of each other.

Answer 5

I never breastfed any of my kids - no one ever looked down on me for it. My kids are beautiful, healthy - and all in advanced gifted & talented curriculums.

I made sure that they had good infant formula, and that they had good diets. I also did the best that I could do - not only as a mother, but as a human being. After being attached to baby for so many months, it was nice to be able to be my own person again. And besides, teeth grow very quickly in babies.

If someone comments to someone else about not breastfeeding - then they themselves are just a rude person to begin with. A choice is what it is - a choice.

Answer 6

I guess being alot of people do not breastfeed for selfish reasons. A child can be so much more advanced with breast milk there is so much more in it to advance a child.

If you were to see why people choose not to breastfeed its not right. I have been breastfeeding my daughter and I work full time. I dont see how its hard in any way. But I do also understand some people can not do this. But its always best to try.

Answer 7

I think its selfish to not at least try to breastfeed,it is what nature intended.Babies are healthier.My son is 10 months old and has only had the sniffles and he was born right during flu season and i take him in public all the time,he has great immunity....im not saying bf babies dont get sick but to me its a no brainer...you wouldnt buy an ok carseat because it does the job but it has some weak spots,you would buy the one that protects the baby as much as possible but when it comes to breastfeeding women think formula is an equal? thats just stupid,i do judge someone that doesnt at least try...its like saying you dont care to have the time to devote your body to nurturing them anymore...pregnancy was enough.

Answer 8

I don't know. The way I see it, breastfeeding is a personal choice.. lots of factors come into play.. and I don't even care what they are .. because breastfeeding is a personal choice.. and like any Personal Choice that a person makes.. it's none of my business.

Perhaps it's because nursing is proven to be the best thing you can do for your baby. Because it's healthy, because it makes the baby immune to certain diseases.. because formula is not even close to as good for a baby...

But it's like smoking.. People know that smoking is bad.. and that quitting will be good. I don't judge people.. because I don't know them, and I don't know their situation.

Answer 9

I hear a lot of anger here, which is not good for your baby.I think you should do what you want to do and not be judgemental of other people.I have 4 sisters, 3 breastfed and 2 of us (me) didn't.The sister and I who didn't are much closer to our children than the ones who did and no one has been any sicker than the norm.Two of my breastfed niece/nephew have extreme emotional problems but one is very gifted.There are all kinds of factors that come into play that determine a childs wellbeing I think we need to concentrate on loving, caring, protecting and setting a good example for our children.

Answer 10

I wouldn't look down on a person who didn't breastfeed. I feel that is is the best way to nourish a baby and it's very important to breastfeed as long as possible, but if the baby didn't take to it or it was uncomfortable for a mom then that's ok too. I think that most people whe chose not to breastfeed will regret that choice when their kids are grown though- it's a natural way to become close to your baby.

Answer 11

I only look down on those who never tried it or those who tried it but decided it "wasn't for them". If you seriously gave it all you had and tried your best to make it work but still had trouble, then I think that's fine. But, if you're one of those people who just thinks it's weird or gross then I think you are extremely selfish. Breastmilk is the best thing for babies and studies show breastfed kids are smarter, healthier, and have less allergies and that's why I hate when people don't even give it a shot because they really are depriving their children of alot by not breastfeeding.