Is there a special place in hell specifically for mothers who choose not to breastfeed? If so, will all of the breast feeding advocates of Y!A be there to tortue those mothers who choose not to breastfeed?
It just saddens me to have read in a previous question.. that several of these women are out right passing negitive judgement on mothers who choose not to breastfeed. I did breast feed my son.. and that doesn't make me a better mother than anyone.
2006-09-12 08:40:08 · 30 answers · asked by Legs 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I am pregnant with my second son. I have actually decided that I will not breastfeed him past 6 weeks... or maybe not at all.. That is my choice.. no one elses.. It is not anyones business what I decide to do with my own boobs..
I wonder since I breastfed one, but not the other if I will get a free pass out of this special place in hell.
I wonder if my second son will grow up with a complex and feel less loved because I gave him a bottle instead of my breast.
2006-09-12 08:52:53 · update #1
Momma2bingo.. or whatever your name is: Frankly I don't care if you used the words "CHOOSE" to breastfeed. It still is not your place to judge.. It doesn't matter if a woman doesn't want to breastfeed for medical reasons or because she is afraid of how it may make her breasts look afterwards. It is her right to choose what is best for her.. it's not your business. You are not a better mother than her.
2006-09-12 08:56:36 · update #2
I SOMETIMES FEED MY SON GREEN BEANS FROM A CAN INSTEAD OF FRESH GREEN BEANS FROM THE ORGANIC GROCERY STORE DOWN THE STREET. DOES THIS ALSO MAKE ME A BAD MOTHER? SHOULD HE BE TAKEN AWAY FROM ME BECAUSE I AM NOT DOING WHAT IS 100 PERCENT BEST FOR HIM?
2006-09-12 09:01:42 · update #3
Well said. I did not breastfeed my daughters, but it was because I was unable. (Did not produce during either pregnancy.) So am I also to be persecuted??
Listen, ladies. Yes, breastfeeding is the best, healthy way to supply your child with what it needs to grow. But aren't we happy there are alternatives?? I was what was called a "Carnation Baby". My Mother also couldn't produce, and back in the late sixties there wasn't much in the way of formula. So I was given "Carnation Evaporated Milk", the kind in the can, mixed with water. And I'm just fine. :o)
Don't hate, ladies. Support, support, SUPPORT! It is hard enough being a new Mom without being judged and lashed out at.
Good luck. :o)
2006-09-12 08:44:42 · answer #1 · answered by lauriejustlaurie 2 · 5⤊ 3⤋
I agree. I tried ... really hard to breastfeed and it just did not work. I never got enough milk. I would feed my son 15 minutes on each side (he was still hungry and kept crying) and then pump 15 minutes on each side to try and increase milk production. Sometimes I would just pump for 30 minutes and all I got was 1 ounce. I felt horribly ashamed. I look back on it now (my son is 2) and realize that it made absolutely no difference in my son's life whatsoever that I couldn't breastfeed him. He and I both were much happier when I started using the bottle. He could finally eat and I could finally get some rest!!!
There are some rather over-opinionated women when it comes to breastfeeding. They need to realize that some people cannot do it for many reasons and the last thing they need is for someone to make them feel guilty. New Moms have enough to feel guilty about anyway. (Did I change him enough? Did I feed him enough? Does he have on warm enough/cool enough clothes? Am I taking him to the right doctor? Are we living in the right school district? Should I work? Should I stay at home?) These ladies need to only offer advice when asked for and stay respectful with their answers. We Moms should stick together and encourage each other no matter if we agree or not.
2006-09-12 15:49:04 · answer #2 · answered by Mrs J 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
While pregnant w/ my daughter, I swore I was going to be 100 % natural in everything- no pain meds during delivery, cloth diapers, breast milk only, organic food all the way. Well, after 46 hours of labor (and an epidural), my daughter was born via C-Sect. Once I found out HOW you have to clean cloth diapers (yuck!), my daughter wears White Clouds, and she eats McD's chicken nuggets. Also, breast feeding didn't work either. I thought I was doing everything right while breastfeeding her, but apparently she wasn't getting enough liquid from my breast milk while she was in the hospital. She got severely dehydrated, got jaundice, and spent a few extra days in the hospital under an incubator-type device.. She ended up coming home with a "billi light" (a machine that we wrapped around her torso to help get rid of the high billirubin (sp?) in her body and get rid of the jaundice. My pediatrician recommended that I supplement breastmilk w/ formula. I got so worried about her becoming dehydrated again that after a few weeks of frustration, I gave up on breastfeeding. I do hope to breastfeed exclusively with my next child.
2006-09-12 23:25:04 · answer #3 · answered by JustMyOpinion 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I didn't see the question about that, but just consider the source or sources. There are many reasons why a mother would choose not to breastfeed. I tried and found it very painful. Those little jaws are strong! Sometimes it's just too demanding and would be easier to let someone else hold a bottle and help with the feeding (just to name a few reasons.)
I'ts a personal choice and anyone who would condemn someone for not wanting to breastfeed, needs to get a grip.
2006-09-12 15:46:35 · answer #4 · answered by atomictulip 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I could not beastfeed past about two months with both my kids. I simply dried up and had not choice but to bottle feed them. I did have about a months worth in the freezer, so we used that as well. If is up the person and what they feel comfy with. Ignore all the people and make your own choice. You are the only one that can make that choice. I have seen very unhealthy babies because the mother eats bad and does not take care of herself. Good luck.
2006-09-12 16:21:03 · answer #5 · answered by dr's mom 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The choice is only yours and it shouldn't be anyone else's. That is what I told my husband b/c he wanted me to breastfeed but I didn't want to out of discomfort and also awkward. I bottle feed my son and I got all of that how breastfed babies are going to be more healthier and less colicky...blah blah blah. It's your choice as a woman and I am proud of you and smiled when I read your question and inform. Don't worry about what others thinks and good for you.
2006-09-12 16:15:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I did not breastfeed my son--for deep personal reasons. As I have said before--no one knows someone else's situation. I'm glad to see a woman who breastfed who doesn't have think breast feeding is the only way to go. I hope I don't go to hell to be tormented by these viscous breast-feeders, that would really be hard to handle. I have been told I was going to hell for not breast feeding. I just couldn't believe it!
I'm going to keep a watch on this one, you're going to get a lot of grief.
2006-09-12 15:43:44 · answer #7 · answered by .vato. 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
I wasn't physically able to breastfeed, and it nearly tore a hole in my heart. I'm VERY glad I didn't find this site when I was going through what I went through when I realized I couldn't. It would have done nothing more than added insult to injury for me. My kids are 2 1/2 years and 14 months old now, so I'm over it at this point.
*Technically* since I was unable to breastfeed, my kids should have been constantly in the ER for numerous and life-threatening illnesses, and put in a special school because they'd be retarded. I guess Carnation Good Start must have added something to their formula to prevent this, because they certainly are perfectly happy, healthy, rarely sick, and VERY active little boys.
2006-09-13 00:11:20 · answer #8 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I know it's hard to listen to every one attacking each other here without feeling the need to justify yourself. You know it doesn't make you any worse than any other mother. Remember they aren't attacking you personally and nobody knows if you only bottle feed or nurse until they get their driver's license unless you tell them. Everyone has been very negative and defensive lately you don't need to be mean to make your choices justified. You're the mom they're automatically the right choices for you and your children.
2006-09-12 16:55:22 · answer #9 · answered by emily 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I agree, either you breastfeed or you don't, end of story. No 2 moms are the same, which means choices will never be the same... to the moms who feel like they are better because they chose one thing over another... Grow Up!!!
2006-09-12 15:50:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋