I am considering bottle feeding my baby. How do i respond to the breast feeding fanatics?

Question

I have concerns that i feel i have to explain my decision, particularly to my husbands family who will probably not agree with my decision.

I feel judged by them and i havent even had the baby yet. I have considered breast feeding but know now that its not really for me. I will try it but my sister has 3 healthy children and all were bottle fed, as was i as a child.

Thanks for the overwhelming support.

Answer 1

You poor thing. People can sure suck. I would say that they are my breasts, not a topic of conversation and to mind their own bleeping business and I will raise my baby how I choose, go have your own. But then again, I tend to be a hot head sometimes. God bless you and just do what is right for you.

Answer 2

OK, I don't want to come across as a breast feeding fanatic but....

I just had my first baby and the breastfeeding part has been such a wonderful experience. I totally respect a woman's choice to breast or bottle feed but don't give up your right to choose before you've tried it. You might find it is a rewarding experience and if not, then try the bottle. If you are planning on pumping breast milk then there is no difference from a nutritional/immunity point of view. You may be surprised that your family may be supportive of your decision. Maybe you can let you husband deal with his family on this issue. You will be hormonal and exhausted for the first while and you really don't need the stress. If it comes from him, maybe they won't even say anything. AND, if they are parents, they know that it isn't always easy and may prove to be OK with your decision. Anyways, personally, I love the convenience of breastfeeding and I have lots most of my preggo weight (nice bonus:-)

GOOD LUCK and don't worry so much now! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Answer 3

Since they are family and I imagine just want the best for your little one, maybe you could explain followed by a "I hope you will respect my decision", so they will at least understand your point of view. No matter what you do, they're still going to think breast-feeding is best, but they may feel better about you attempting to make them understand how you feel, rather than feeling left out!
I had the opposite experience with my 3 children who I breastfed, as my in-laws in Puerto Rico thought I was strange for breast-feeding, so my husband would explain to them how it's more healthy, etc... but I think what convinced them was most, was how convenient and economical it was!
If you do try though, the certified lactation consultant in the hospital (NOT le leche league) usually can be very helpful, and are supposed to be non-judgemental if you decide it's not working out! I want to warn you though, it doesn't always come easily, but after you get passed the hard part, it's effortless.
Good luck either way, and congratulations!

Answer 4

It is every woman's right to choose what is most comfortable for them. If you force yourself to breastfeed and you are not comfortable it could interfere with bonding. It is no ones business how you choose to feed your child. If they say something tell them politely but firmly that you and your doctor decided that this was the best option for you. My mother never breast fed neither did my sister. When I was pregnant I couldn't imagine breast feeding. Everyone on my husband's side breast fed their kids. His one sister was pretty opinionated about the matter. After reading the literature regarding building the immune system and other benefits to both mother and child I decided to try breast feeding for a couple of weeks. Surprisingly I was not uncomfortable. In fact I enjoyed it. I breast fed my son for 9 months until he started biting. I did supplement with formula and I also pumped so others could help with feedings. I am not trying to tell you what to do but I do encourage you to discuss your feelings with your doctor and close friends. Also contact your hospital. They should have nurses that can provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. Good luck and don't stress too much about it.

Answer 5

Ignore them. You only have to do what you think is best for you and your child and everyone else can "go and get stuffed".

My wife and I have 2 kids, both were breast fed but a lot of our friends bottle fed from birth.

The kids are now grown up a little (all from 3 to 6) and none of them either boob fed or bottle fed look any defferent from eachother.

They are all a pain in the rear end but adourable at the same time.

Don't feel judged, make your own decission, it will be the right one for you.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You should respond with whatever reasons you have for not breast feeding. That's very individual. I would not ask others to come up with responses for you - that will not be honest, and thus might not be accepted by those "breast feeding fanatics".

You don't know whether breast feeding is not for you until you give it a proper try. Prior to explaining your decision to your husband's family, why don't you gain understanding what their reasoning are to support breast feeding. I'm sure they will say more than this is just the recommendation of American Association of Pediatrics. You can also check the book "What to Expect the First Year" or kellymom.com site to learn about breast feeding benefits. Just one example for you: I was shocked to learn that nova-days AAP recommends that smoking mothers still breast feed because the researches have shown that benefits of breastfeeding overweight the hard due to smoking.

Good luck with your baby!

Answer 7

i do unlike feeding in public the two, so I used to feed contained in the motor vehicle or in a mothers room on the paying for centre. i replaced into continuously very discreet, I in simple terms hung a mild cotton throw over myself and toddler and if i replaced into traveling somebody i might in simple terms ask for a private room. i hit upon feeding in a quiet place retains toddler concentrating on the feed and not looking around at each little thing and being interrupted. i does no longer attempt bottles until toddler replaced into a minimum of a few months previous, it may get puzzled. I did bottle and breast feed with fulfillment, yet I even have heard that some babies would have none of it, won't take to a bottle to boot. you would be able to would desire to purchase a good selection distinctive bottle teats - I had to attempt diverse distinctive shapes until i found one that my toddler might take. ultimate of luck!

Answer 8

Tell them it is your and your baby's doctor's decision. I had 3 children and not one of them would breastfeed. It bummed me out for a while but there are many good formulas on the market. Remember in times past if a woman couldn't breastfeed herself she had a wet-nurse. Some woman, like my daughter, had breast so sore it was way to painful to keep it up. Just because you don't breastfeed DOESN'T mean your not a loving and good Mother. And if they want to argue the point; leave. It's you and your husbands child. RAISE YOUR BABY YOUR WAY. I had many a debate,so to speak, with my in-laws to. And still do to this day. I stand up for my decisions.

Answer 9

You need to do what is best for you. If you are not comfortable with bf than the baby will sense that and will probably be more fussy. I only bf my babies for a short time and felt judged by family also, but your baby will be fine either way. Dont do it if your heart isnt in it because it is so hard with the 1st even when you really want to do it. Follow your heart, and the baby will be just fine!!! Good luck!!

Answer 10

I breastfed my son for 3 days after he was born, and I wasn't producing enough so I had no choice but to go to formula. For that little bit, I felt aweful that maybe i was being a bad mom, even though I really couldn't feed him myself. My husband had to calm me down. As this i thought was suppose to be natural and suppose to be the way to feel him. But I soo got over it, as i saw him loving his new baba filled with formula.

Not every women wants to try it. I honestly didn't until my son was looking for his 1st meal. It is a very pressured topic, esp. from the women in your family who have breastfed all 12 of their children.

Just say well this is something as a mother to my baby that I am not sure I want to do. It is up to me on this. (As your baby will still get his nutrients from formula), and just say I am not sure how comfortable i will be breastfeeding (as it is really none of their business), and say i would never want to feel uncomfortable with my son. And end it at that. Really you don't need to say anything except this is a personal decision... keep all judging to yourself.