Breastfeeding?

Question

Im 3 months pregnant right now. Im deciding if I want to breastfeed or not. EVERYONE is bugging me about it. I know its good to breastfeed, but I want to make the decision and I don't think I want to breastfeed. Im just tired of my family saying I HAVE to breastfeed. Anyone have any suggestions? Please help. Thank you.

Answer 1

Don't let anyone pressure you into anything. You obviously already know the benefits of breastfeeding. It's a personal choice that only you can make--what is comfortable with you should be comfortable for them. Next time they ask tell them the truth. Let them know you do not want to breastfeed and would appreciate it if they just stopped talking about it.

On a more personal note--I say at least give it a try in the hospital. It's worth at least giving it a shot. I did and continued for a few days when I got home. I was very stressed around my delivery and then more stressed when my son did not latch on. There were so many issues I had with breastfeeding and throughout my pregnancy. I felt forced to do it but in the end my grandmother told me it didn't matter--that all babies turn out the okay no matter if they eat from a bottle or breast.

Do what YOU want. Don't let anyone force you to do anything you aren't comfortable with.

Answer 2

Do you know why you are feeling like you dont want to breastfeed? Educate yourself as much as possible about it, so you know whether this is some passing feeling or whether deep down you are against it, and make the decision based on that. No one can make you breastfeed, it is a big commitment on your part, but then it is the best thing for your baby. Your call.

Answer 3

The next time someone brings it up refuse to discuss it.. There comes a time when you have to put your foot down very hard and inform people even family that decisions you make are yours alone to make... If you don;t get this step out of the way now and tell them to back off think of all the unwanted advise comments etc. you will be enduring after the baby comes...

Tell them you understand thier stand of breastfeeding over bottle feeding but as it is your body and your state of mind that will be effected not thiers they have no say in the matter..

Don't be wishy washy sttand up and be heard, or let them continue to run over you like a ton of bricks.. This isn't a question of breastfeeding or not this is a question of who is going to make the decisions in your life.. If you had ever stood p an been heard this wouldn't be an issue now they wouldn't feel they could pressure you into anything...

Answer 4

Well, yeah you have a point, it's your breast, and it's your baby, so yeah you can make your own decision. But breastfeeding is sooo much better for so many reasons, for one when you breastfeed you wont have your period for about maybe a year, your baby will have a less chance of over-feeding, it also reduces your risk of getting breast cancer. Money wise, breastfeeding is cheaper too, not having to buy all that expensive baby formula that could cause your baby to over-feed or even diarrhea or consitipation of some sort. Breastfeeding is a healthy and natural way to bond with your baby and the same time your baby gets all the nutrients it needs. So by far, I would choose breast-feeding, but thats your choice, not mine!

Answer 5

Tell them to butt out and let them know that they are discouraging more than they are encouraging.

Now, you can ignore this part, or you can keep reading. I'll sum up what I say first... After the initial hump, breastfeeding is easier and less work than formula, less supplies, easier night feedings, cheaper, healthier for both mom and baby, and a great sense of accomplishment):

I chose to breastfeed for a few reasons. For one, I heard that it was challenging. I guess I'm a bit of a masochist, because once I heard that, I knew I had to take the challenge and overcome it. I love the feeling that comes with a great accomplishment. Making it past 3 months of breastfeeding was an awesome feeling of accomplishment.

I researched online all the pros and cons of breastfeeding and formula. That alone was enough to keep me on the breastfeeding path.

Last, but not least, I'm lazy. I didn't want to spend all day making formula, cleaning bottles, boiling and sterilizing everything, or waking up in the middle of the night to prepare a bottle, feed, burp, then go back to bed, and I didn't want to have to run out to the store for formula if we ran out, etc., etc.

Breastfeeding? Sterilize = a shower for me (a total score and you'll see why once the baby comes.. Showers are rare in most new mom's lives), Late night feedings? Crawl out of bed, grab baby, back to bed, baby on boob and off to sleep you both go :)

Answer 6

I guess I won't be much help. I am totally for breastfeeding and think you should do it. I have nursed all 4 of my babies and think it is best. Not to nag at you - but I don't understand why women don't. It's best for the baby an that's how it was meant to be. But here are a few things you may not have heard yet:
Breast fed babies' poop doesn't stink as much. Believe me I could tell a HUGE difference when we started formula and solid foods! Formula really stinks!
Breast fed babies' spit up doesn't stink as much.
I think it's much easier - I don't have to get up to get the bottle, and no rinsing and washing bottles. Less expensive. Plus it makes your baby smarter. If you still don't want to do it, see if you can stand to do it for the first month. That's when it's most important. And if you can't go that long, at least try the first few days to a week so your baby can get the important nutrients in your colostrum. Good luck.

Also, it helps you lose your weight faster, and your body makes just what you need. If your baby nurses more, your body makes more. And it's always the right temperature.

Answer 7

maybe u should tell them to leave u alone. i think the only reason u don't want to breastfeed is because everyone is telling u, that u have to and u as a grown lady does not appreciate that. u gotta do what u think is right.
u got 6 more months to do your research. talk to other new or fairly new mom's that u know and listen without judgement to their experiences. read books and then make your educational decision.

Answer 8

OK here it goes...breastfeeding is best. i know this because i used to work in the post partum department at a hospital. it has a lot of pros and cons to breastfeeding though. some of the pros are that your baby will not have as many sicknesses like colds, and coughs, ear infections, and allergies compared to babies that are formula feed. and it is a bonding experience for both you and the baby. the cons to breastfeeding are some like, family wont be able to help feed the baby, it can be hurtful, sometimes its very uncomfortable, and you can sometimes get cracked and very sore nipples, but there is some products out there that can help ease the soreness and swelling too. i have always told my patients when they ask me about breastfeeding that it is totally up to the mother, we prefer our mothers to at least try it while in the hospital, that way if they needed help we had a specialist just for teaching the mothers about breastfeeding. you should talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of breastfeeding and see if the hospital your going to have your baby at has someone or a class you can take that will help you out with any questions you have about breastfeeding. good luck to you and i hope this helped.

Answer 9

It's up to you. There are pros and cons to each. My girl is more attached to me because I did for a few months, but a bottle fed baby can be attached to you too. It's easier to pop them on in the middle of the night, but with a bottle you can go out alone. It is solely up to you and you alone. Do not let anyone influence you family or not, on what you decide. But for the baby's sake give it the colostrum that first day it has all the antibodies in it. I've been there believe me. My ex husband gave me a hard time when I had my little one but I just took it in stride. If you don't want to you DO NOT have to.

Answer 10

I dread to say breast is beast as you seem to be under so much pressure but..
Over six months of breast feeding will significantly reduce your own chances of breast cancer later on in life.
You will pass on you immunities to the baby so its first year or two of life will have less infection.
The advice to bottle feed has traditionally come from propaganda created by the companies that make bottle feeds, Nestle is (historically) particularly guilty of this.
On the other hand.
If you take drugs or medicines these can be expressed in breast milk so it is better for baby not to get these and..
At the end of the day, the medical consensus is that neither one makes a huge difference to the baby's health, the most important thing is that mum loves her baby, so do what you are most comfortable with and resist any pressure that will make you resentful as you feed NUMBER ONE.