Why are people so against bottle feeding a newborn?

Question

I understand that breast-feeding is the most healthy and natural way to nourish you baby, but people seem to look down on mothers who bottle-feed. The other day I answered a question someone asked on here about whether I bottle-fed or breast-fed. I wrote that I bottle fed because for some reason, my milk never came in. I also wrote that I had discussed this with my pediatrician and she told me this was fairly normal...
Well I got about 6 bad reviews, and I even had one woman email me a nasty letter about how I was abusing my child. What was I supposed to do, starve him?!
I absolutely would have breast fed if it where physically possible.
What's your opinion?

Answer 1

I cannot figure out what is wrong with people. Until a person is in a situation can they really understand?? Especially here on yahoo answers. I breastfed my first part time. I never could produce enough with her. When my milk came in I didn't get engorged, never leaked, never felt full, even after doing the round the clock nursing and pumping and nursing, and eating all those things foods and herbs that are supposed to help, and drinking Mother's Milk tea and drinking water, and prayer and meditation. Even my OB didn't thinking I was trying hard enough. I had the same problem with second but started taking domperidone within a week after he was born and stayed on it until he was about a year old.

Don't take what people here say to heart. They are all on the outside looking in. The point is that you did what you had to do and your child isn't any different or suffering in any way from any other child. I too would have breastfed my first if I had a way to produce enough. What was I supposed to do? Starve her???

Answer 2

I agree with you. Breast milk is the best, but, not all mothers have enough milk, or there is some other kind of problem why you can't breast feed.
There are a lot of people out there who like to condemn others. We do the best we can for our kids, and if bottle feeding is the only option, there's no problem with that. There are also a lot of mothers who chose to bottle feed when they go back to work, there's nothing wrong with that either.

Answer 3

I had the same problem, I just didn't have any milk for him to have when he was born. So there was no choice. My nurses and Doctor didn't say a word about it me breastfeeding, because I couldn't. But its a personal choice, there are many bottle fed babies in this world. I'm one of them, I don't see anything wrong with either way. Its up to the woman, and if you physically can't, then there is no choice, the person that sent you the nasty email, needs to grow up! Feeding your baby with a bottle is not any type of abuse, in any shape, form, or fashion... Anyways, as long as you know you are doing your best as a mom, that's all that matters.

Answer 4

I'm not against bottle feeding so you won't hear any complaints from me. I tried to breast feed my first. I was in the hosiptal withinin a week of her being born with a severe kidney infection...End of breast feeding. She did just as well on the bottle. The second I started out on a bottle just because I was aware of how problems can come up out of the mom's control. She also did fine. Both past all growth milestones, turning over, walking, etc. early.

If someone wants that bond with their child of having to be there for the child at all feedings other than when milk has been stored, fine. If they need that 'needed' feeling, go for it. Not every mother feels the need for absolute importance to the child. I found bonding experiences in other forms. Ones my husband could also do to form his own close bond with our children.

It's a CHOICE. Thankfully one mothers are still allowed to make.

Congratulations! and do what feels right to you. Not everyone has a picture perfect experience and you certainly will never please everyone!

Answer 5

I breastfeed my children but I totally agree with you. I don't care how your baby gets fed as long as you feed the little baby. But I do know numerous breastfeeding moms who look at the bottle like it is diseased or something. I think people on here often forget the the questions are posted by other people. I believe that as long as you hold your baby most of the time when it is eating it is fine. Breastfeeding is a very personal choice and often a body's choice it makes without you. I say feed the baby what is available and anyone that doesn't like it should go suck a t*t!!!

Answer 6

I agree with you on the impossible part. Everyone knows breast-feeding is best for all babies but it doesn't always work out. My son was bottle feed because no one ever showed me how to breast feed so i thought i had to bottle feed because he was starving (my first baby). By time i knew what to do he wouldn't latch on to my breast, so i tried pumping but that didn't last too long. When people found out i wasn't breast feeding they talked down to me like i was an idiot. My husband is Mexican and i don't know that much Spanish and once we were at my nephews birthday party and in front of everyone this women was talking to my husband about why i wasn't breast feeding and how important it was to breast feed. Like i already didn't know! You think i wasn't embarrassed and mad. My son is very healthy and rarely ever gets sick, maybe a cold once a year.

Answer 7

People always want to force their ideas on other people, particularily when it comes to parenting. Everyone wants to believe that they are doing the best for their child and they probably felt threatened by the fact that there is no right or wrong way to raise a child.

I was bottle-fed and I am perfectly healthy.
I would also bottle-feed my children if I had any. There are pros and cons to every choice. I just happen to be uncomfortable with breast feeding. It doesn't make it wrong but I wouldn't do it myself.

That being said, I guess I should prepare for my nasty letter ;)

Answer 8

There is a wave of similar questions like this, apparently some people out there are giving Pro-breastfeeders a bad name. I'm definitely supportive of breastfeeding, and I look very poorly on formula, but I however dont look down on those mothers who decide to give their babies formula. It's a matter of proper education I think to increase the number of women who are breastfeeding their babies, and I hope that people who are being pushy and/or rude dont give breastfeeding a bad name. It's hard to see so many people out there think that there is nothing wrong with formula, so why bother put forth the time and effort to breastfeed - that is what I have a big problem with. But I was there, I know how hard it can be to breastfeed (thought about quitting SO many times that first mth), and I had to deal with problems. It's mostly a lack of good information and the proper support network.... so while the Pro-breastfeeders who are crossing the line want to educate, they are obviously doing it in a negative and thus wrong manner. I'm going to apologise for them, as I dont want to be classified in the same group. But I do wish more women would see how important it is to breastfeed... babies need the best possible start!

Just read a few comments. Yeah, I agree, all those crack addict mother's out there should be giving formula! For us 'normal' mothers, we should give breastfeeding a good 'ol college try (with help) before quitting. Dont be too sensitive if someone tries to help you with it though... like the woman who broke off a friendship over receiving a breast pump!! Heck, I've had all sorts of negative comments said to me, around me, for breastfeeding my daughter. Comes with the territory of parenthood to have others tell you what to do! We take what info there might be of use to us, and ignore the rest.

Answer 9

The thing is most women give up because it's easier to bottle feed. Breast feeding in the beginning is not easy and there are lots of things you have to overcome. My milk didn't come in the first day either. Most don't. Not even for four days. There are also hormone shots you can get to lactate. I think alot of women try but, they don't try hard enough. I also think there are women out there with true problems that need to bottle feed like if they take certain drugs or many other problems. Breast Milk has many nutrients that forumula just dosen't have. If you can just give them the colosterum at the beginning that would give your baby a great start. My own personal story is my daughter could not eat for the first two weeks of her life. She was born with her intestines outside her body and needed surgery right after she was born and was in the NICU. In order for me to nurse I had to keep my milk supply by pumping every 2 hours during the day and 4 hours at night. It was hard but I did it and the I saved the bottles so that when she was ready she got the colosterum first. I think people get this notion that it is easy and it dosen't hurt. It does hurt very much the first two to three weeks. after that it eases up. Bottle feeding isn't abusing your child. In hospitals there are Lactation Consultants that can give you more information if you really want to breastfeed. By the way, My nipples bled and with one the milk didn't come for four days. I have done both bottle and breast feeding. I hated mixing thoes bottles in the middle of the night.

Answer 10

You are a great mom for feeding a bottle starvation is not the key. I know there are some radical breast feeder out there and that is not the key. It is not abuse to bottle feed your baby (being a foster parent I know all about abuse and neglect!) Also being a labor and delivery nurse of 5 years I can tell you that yes bottle feeding is OK. No it may not be the best but it is very very close to breast feeding and you should be supported and encouraged in whatever choice you make...because there are mothers out there who don't feed their baby at all. Enjoy your baby and remember to hold your baby as you feed them bottles and not proping them because they need that bonding time.