Why did you decide not to breastfeed?
Were you physically unable or was it personal/emotional?
A friend of mine said she tried to breastfeed but emotionally she could not do it.
Why would someone feel this way?
I have never had a child, so please help me understand what its all about.
Breastfeeding is a personal decision and this is not an attack on those who don't or didn't breastfeed! No hate replies!
2006-09-12 09:20:45 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I was unable to breastfeed. I gave it a HUGE try with my firstborn. I contacted everyone from the breastfeeding consultants at the hospital where he was born, to LaLeche League, to my local pharmacist. lol (My ob gave me a prescription for a drug that's used for something else, but it's been shown to help the supply of breastmilk to grow for women who aren't producing enough, so I asked the pharm. about it. :)) After trying for a month (and failing miserably) I gave up and switched to formula. I found out AFTER the fact that the medicine I'm on (for seizures) isn't safe for breastfeeding. Nice of my neurologist to tell me that...gee thanks!
When I realized I really couldn't breastfeed, it made me incredibly sad. I'm a woman, I have breasts that are meant for breastfeeding, and I COULDN'T DO IT. I felt that there was something wrong with me, and it made me very upset and sad. My kids are older now (2 1/2 years and 14 months) and I'm over it, but when I was going through it, it was an awful, awful feeling knowing I couldn't.
2006-09-12 17:35:48 · answer #1 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello! My name is Autumn, I am almost 20 weeks pregnant and I know exactly what you're going through. I could not decide for many reasons.. "What if I later wish I had breast fed?" has been a lingering questions in my mind. My reasons for not wanting to breast feed are selfish. I am afraid it will ruin my boobs! Many people have looked down on me for voicing this opinion, but it is a fact, many women breat feed and their breasts remain perky and full, but what if that is just not so for me? A "boob-job" is not always an available [if desired] answer, and saggy, unattractive breasts are a HUGE issue for me. My appearance is important to me, and I feel my child won't be any less or any greater in life if I breast feed or if I don't breast feed. However I have heard weight loss is a pro of breast feeding.. Could this be myth? It could! There is no influence a person can make on you to make a desicion concerning your body and your child's life. I suggest making a PRO vs. CON list and make the personal adult decision on your own, it is what you will end up doing any way, you might as well get a head start now! Here was my list: *note this is my PERSONAL list reflecting how I feel about breastfeeding, and if you make a list yours should reflect souly upon your opinions! PRO: Inexpensive / Cheaper / More affordable Possible weight loss [??] CON: Breast/Nipple Damage Tenderness Public Feeding Public Leaking Weaning the baby when the time comes There were a few others I can think of at this time [for both PRO and CON] but overall I decided breast feeding is NOT for me and I only considered it because such a vast majority of people insisted it was the thing to do and if I didn't I would be being a bad mother [not exact words, but how I interperred it]. Make sure your decision is your own and you are not swayed by OTHERS. If they want to raise a child they can go have one/adopt! This is your body and your baby, do what you think is best for the both of you!
2016-03-26 22:19:16 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't breastfeed the first time because I was young and single(21) and not real sure about being a mom. I didn't think I could handle that and I knew that I would have to go back to work. I didn't really think that I was denying my children anything. I did try to breastfeed in the hospital with my 3rd one. It hurt to bad because I couldn't get it right, so that didn't last very long. .... My kids are healthy and I don't think it hurt them. ..... But I do wish that I had been more interested in breastfeeding when I had my first one. I think that young mothers need to be more educated about it. I wasn't.
2006-09-12 09:33:32 · answer #3 · answered by Why do you ask? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I tried to breastfeed my first baby and it only lasted a week. I got caught by a bad depression and I just wasn't mentaly capable of continuing. My stress kept causing my supply to dry up and then along with my pain meds it made him fall asleep only 5 minutes into feeding. I quit because it lowered my stress and I was able to enjoy my time with him much better when I was bottlefeeding. He's perfectly healthy and is very smart. I'm willing to try again when my new baby is born but if its anything like the first time then I will switch.
2006-09-12 09:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by Chelle's Belle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I DO choose to breastfeed...
but to answer your question...
breast have become over sexualized. Women feel uncomfortable if they are not being used as a sexual object (sad but true).... thats the only "emotional" reason women don't breastfeed... BUT the "physical" reasons are different, such as not producing enough milk, having too much pain while breastfeeding, etc. which are perfectly fine. If the woman physically CANNOT stand to breastfeed, then they should not have to. That's what formula is for.
2006-09-12 09:30:44 · answer #5 · answered by Ashley P 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have 4 kids. The first 3 I breastfed. When I went back to work (between 10-12 weeks with each) I added formula and also pumped. It was really hard but I found it was worth it because I could have some down time just hold them when I got home from work while they nursed and we had that time to bond. But I also enjoyed formula because I knew my husband and babysitter could take care of them without me having to worry about being gone to long. But I also did not nurse past 8 months because it became to hard to keep up.
With my 4th I did not nurse at all because it was just not working out. He didn't want to nurse and with 3 other kids I was stressed because I felt my time was so limited with him. He is just fine. I do understand both sides. Nursing is best for the child and mother when they have the time and patience to do it. But if you are stressed or depressed or on some medications formula will be a better choice because everyone will be happier.
I had a friend who chose not to breast feed because she was scared it would hurt. It really doesn't hurt that much. It is uncomfortable at 1st but that does not last long.
But if you really want to and are having problems call the La Leche League they will help you. But if you don't want to don't sweat it, formula is healthy and the baby will be fine.
2006-09-12 09:37:37 · answer #6 · answered by idaho gal 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I tried to breastfeed, but since my daughter was in NICU ( intensive care) and I was sick I couldn;t bond with her for three days. She was used to the bottle nipple and wouldn't latch. So I pumped for 6 months. It does hurt and some woman, are more sensitive then others and it causes so much pain it is not enjoyable for the mom nor the child. I think also that society, puts a negative image on breast feeding, so some woman might think it's disgusting,so they won't try it. In my opinion I think it's a natural, beautiful thing. Geez God gave us breast with milk, to feed our child so why not use it ?? All mammal breast feed.
2006-09-12 09:32:39 · answer #7 · answered by Bec 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter was born when I was just 17 years old, I had a C-section and my epidural did not take, so there was no pain relief from them cutting me open and stitching me up, they put me under after she was removed. I breastfed her from day one telling myself that it would all be worth it. The pain in my nipples was so Bad I would pinch the side of my breast hard so She could eat. after a few seconds it wouldn't hurt as bad.
I found out with my second child that there was a cream available for this problem its called Lansinoh, and it is available in stores everywhere, its a real life saver from the pain.and its safe to apply directly to nipples, it won't hurt your baby at all.
But, even with the pain I managed to Breastfeed my first for 9 months, Breastfeeding is not easy, but its the most unselfish thing you can do for your child and yourself, Educate and don't discriminate!
2006-09-12 09:50:31 · answer #8 · answered by Flagstaff mama 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have two children and I am pregnant, due in march. I didn't breastfeed either of my kids. It was just something I didn't feel comfortable with. besides with bottle feeding I'm not the only one that has to have sleepless nights. with this baby I haven't decided yet. but my first two are growing faster than most(probably because their dad is 6'9"). No real sickness as babies. rather than a the occasional cold.
2006-09-12 09:42:35 · answer #9 · answered by tnmomof2as 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I just had a baby three months ago and I did give breastfeeding a try. So let me tell you why I quit. Well the first few days was no picnic, my milk wouldn't come in and it took two days for that to happen. Then my son wouldn't latch on cuz they were too full so then I decided to use the pump and pump it out, but then my milk ducts got clogged and so my boobs hurt so bad that I couldn't even hardly touch them with my arms when I put my arms down, so not only did it hurt really bad but I felt like I spent my life on the pump trying to make sure he had enough milk to last him all day and all night. Not only that but I was recovering from a c-section so it was very emotionally hard for me to continue to pump out the milk so my son could drink it. Plus my husband couldn't help feed him so, even when I was hurting I had to feed him no matter what cuz I had to pump it out
2006-09-12 09:31:33 · answer #10 · answered by mshairstylinchic 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋