Why are there women who can breast feed their children but they don't do it?
2006-10-09 06:24:29 · 9 answers · asked by Darya D 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The majority of babies in the USA are breastfed for the first week. The rates fall off significantly by the 6 month mark and a depressing 17.2% are still nursing at 12 months of age. One year is the MINIMUM age of weaning, as suggested by the AAP.
Many women have hang-ups about nursing because of the sexualization of the breast in our society.
Many mothers have problems finding support and information to help them if they have problems while nursing and are quickly told "it's OK to switch to formula" instead of being given solutions for their nursing difficulties.
Many doctors know little or nothing about breastfeeding....it's about one lecture worth of their education in med school.
Mothers may be harrassed in public and told to "go do that somewhere else" or "can't you do that in the bathroom" if they nurse their children in public places.
Many mothers have a true need to return to work to support their family, but aren't given the time and support that is necessary to be able to pump and continue breastfeeding once they do so.
Grandmothers who come from a generation where moms didn't breastfeed may find it hard to be supportive and quick to suggest switching to formula or asking, "isn't he getting a little old for that?"
Mothers often feel restricted by breastfeeding because they don't have accurate information about what is safe to do while nursing. For example, people on this site are very quick to jump on nursing moms and tell them they should NEVER drink or smoke. In actuality, it's safe for them to do both as long as they do so in moderation and time their indulgences.
Some moms are flat out selfish and worry about vain things like what their breasts will look like or losing weight. In actuality, breastfeeding moms lose weight faster than moms who feed formula AND ALL of our boobs change because of the changes they go through during pregnancy, NOT because of nursing.
Some mothers honestly belive that formula is "just as good" because they don't have the information they need to accurately compare breastmilk and formula as a substance.
EDITED TO ADD:
Marsh - Breastfeeding should NOT be painful. If it is, then something is WRONG and the mom needs to see a LLL Leader or an IBCLC for help!
2006-10-09 06:37:17 · answer #1 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a matter of preference. That's like asking why people smoke cigarrettes even though they know the risks. Women know the benefits of breastfeeding but some women think it's a pain and they won't do it. I breastfed for 2 and a half months and I think I did damn good, but it was really really hard. If you are at a stay at home mom and that's your only child to keep your attention on then they shouldn't have an excuse. But if you're on the go and you work go to school, it's hard trying to breastfeed because it's really demanding. My daughter was a preemie baby and of course she came home later after she was born, but I still didn't have everything that she needed. So while I was running around I was still tied down to expel the milk and pump at a certain time. So eventually since it was too overwhelming, I gave it all that I had and since I had a stockpile of breast milk, they dried up and she was on formula from there. But me breastfeeding for just that amount of time helped her sooo much. She had jaundice and the breast milk helped her have bowel movements so her bilirubin would go down and the jaundice went away in about a week and a half. But it's hard to say because breastfeeding is an actual "trend" persay. If you noticed even some years back there wasn't psa's about breastfeeding until recently. But know because of technology doctor's know more about the benefits for you and the baby that is why it is a trend through education and letting women know the importance of breastfeeding.
2006-10-09 14:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. PHILlis (in training) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because our mother's generation was brought up to believe that formula is better. Our generation is just now learning that breast is best. It's going to take at least a generation to get rid of that "formula is better" reasoning. (What were doctors thinking?)
It's understandable when some women choose to bottle feed. Some have to work to earn a living and most work places aren't understanding like that, I've been there!
Some physically cannot breastfeed for one reason or another.
Still, most women bottle feed because it's "more convenient", meaning mom can leave the baby with a sitter any time and not have to worry about pumping.
To each their own.
2006-10-09 13:42:48 · answer #3 · answered by Jessie P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More babies are Formula fed. The US has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates, hopefully it will climb over time.
Also alot of women (I have been told/read) think BF is: time consuming (though even with a bottle your child is eating), inconvenient (no bottles to heat up, powder to make - very convenient) or the baby fails to latch on (babies naturally know how to latch on but some need more help than others)
In the end it is up to the Mother, though alot give up very easily and some just dont want to which I think is sad ... but hey thats me! Both my kids are breastfed as was I and I think it is the most wonderful thing ever :)
2006-10-09 18:11:30 · answer #4 · answered by Diana O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people don't feel comfortable doing it... and if you don't feel comfortable then you shouldn't do it... I personally didn't like it so i used a breast pump and it worked out so much better! I think most babies are on formula anymore with my daughter I used breast milk 1 time then formula the next time i fed her ..... she was on Breast milk for the first 4 months.
2006-10-09 13:35:43 · answer #5 · answered by Heather C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most U.S. women artificially feed babies. Several reasons:
Most women work out of the home, social style since WW11; stupid stigma assigned by many against women breast feeding; cosmetic reasons.
2006-10-09 13:34:51 · answer #6 · answered by Donald W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the stats say that more babies are on formula. It's a choice -- I have a six month old son and he has been exclusively breastfed. I plan on doing so till he's a least a year and I'm very proud and happy with my decision -- but I don't judge others for doing it differently. If anyone ever asks me though, I encourage them to try -- it's wonderful for baby, momma and bonding.
2006-10-09 14:03:51 · answer #7 · answered by Ducky S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why should one be force to breastfeed-- what is so wrong w/ bottlefeeding??
People choose not to breastfeed for a number of reasons. Here's a few:
1) It's painful
2) It's time consuming
3) It's inconvenient
4) The baby fails to latch on.
As for me, I stopped breastfeeding because my baby wasnt getting enough to eat. I had a choice- continue breastfeeding & risk my baby not getting enough nutrition or to simply use the formula.
I really don't understand why people make such a big deal out of this issue. It's up to the mother. If she wants to breastfeed-- fine. If she wants to bottlefeed-- fine. Either way the baby will be happy & healthy.
2006-10-09 13:43:12 · answer #8 · answered by Proud mother! 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
because its a choice, PERIOD.
I nursed my son for 5 months, my daughter for 3 weeks. Everytime I tried to nurse her my son would freak out.
either way they are both happy and healthy. As for the myth that women feel a greater bond when nursing, thats crap. I found it not to be that way. My son was tounge tied at birth, made it hard for him to nurse so once we got his tounge clipped he still had problems with nursing. So I ended up having to pump.
NO ONE is right or wrong when it comes to nursing. IF you enjoy it good, BUT if you aren't then dont. YOu should be enjoying time with your baby not crying over wether you can nurse or not
2006-10-09 13:33:55 · answer #9 · answered by BoTToms UP 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋