Why do a lot of American mothers choose not to breastfeeding their babies?

Question

I have never understood why a mother would not give her baby her milk. We are the only species who refuses it's offspring Mother's milk. I know a lot of women say they "couldn't" breastfed for whatever reason. But being a lactation consultant I know that 99% of these "reasons" are easily correctable. So... I'm just curious to know why women choose not to breast feed their infants... even though they know human breast milk is best for human babies ... ??

Wow. I find it interesting that some women have gotten very defensive in their responses. I am not judging you.

I was not implying that people who choose not to breastfeed aren't good parents!! I do feel that some women who choose not to (which they have the right to do!) often say that they "can't". I never said that they don't have a right not to or that they are bad mothers for not doing so. Sheesh!! I think some women... who claim NOT to feel guilty obviously have personal unresolved feelings over their decisions... otherwise they wouldn't be so hostile and defensive.

Everyone has a right to do whatever they feel... I was just curious to know WHY they made their personal desicions.

Thanks to all who MATURELY answered my question... both those who CHOSE not to breastfeed, could not breastfeed or did breastfeed... or a combination of both...

Obviously, as a L.C. it is my hope that every mother would give it a try... but I am not at all for anyone doing something that makes them uncomfortable. Perhaps my personal beliefs 'colored' the question... but no offense was intended.

Answer 1

I recently took a psychology class in college and they have data showing that the more educated the mother the more likely she is to breast feed her infant... and the more educated the longer she'll end up nursing. I think that has a lot to do with it. I also think it has to do with selfishness and maturity. But in some RARE cases there are women who would like to but can't breastfeed. But I also go to La Leche League meetings and I know that this is extremely rare. I think a lot of the women who say they "couldn't" probably could have... but just didn't want too... and don't want people to judge them.

Answer 2

some of us have issues with babies taking the breast, some of us have other kids to take care of and it is next to impossible. I myself pumped until I dryed up. My first child I was so led into feeling guilty for not breastfeeding that I almost lost my mind. Finally a close friend of mine told me to quit being so hard on myself. As far as breastfeeding goes, my kids had a harder time digesting my milk than formula (yes all 3 and I was watching what I ate) And I know breastmilk has all the immunities in it and that's great but some people choose or can't and shouldn't be made to feel that they are inferior because they didnt breastfeed. To be honest, when I was trying to breastfeed I hated the feeling of my nipples being sucked on, it drove me absolutely crazy (most of the time my babies refused it anyway). My brother was bottle fed and I was breastfed, funny how I had all the allergies and health problems and my brother rarely had any problems. It's kind of a different strokes for different folks type thing. I also did get a lactation consultant with my first two and I was still unsuccessful with breastfeeding. For some of us breastfeeding was an unecessary pain in the butt. My babies did so much better when mom wasnt stressed out about breastfeedng. I hope maybe you'll understand some of this, I'm not trying to attack people that breastfeed at all, it's just not for everyone and that should be respected.

Answer 3

I honestly can't answer that because I choose to breastfeed my first and will be breastfeeding this one.

My motherinlaw supposedly couldn't because my hubby couldn't latch on or whatever. But the same thing happened to me with my first but I pumped for 2 weeks before I could get him to latch on my own. If fact I am getting a hospital grade pump this time around so I can pump what ever is left over from a feeding and freeze it for when cereal time comes. Which I had a lot of milk with the last one. The lactation consultant at the hospital was surprised at how much colostrum I was able to pump for my son while he stayed at the hospital for a week due to health problems.

I think some mothers think that it is easier to make a bottle of formula than it is to breastfeed. Or some don't want to give up smoking (which they should have done already).

Answer 4

I've been on both sides...I couldn't breastfeed my first son, and did my second son. Why the difference? Several things just went wrong with my first one. I was just not properly coached with my first son. I had flat nipples and a very sleepy baby. It also didn't help that the hospital nursery gave him a pacifier and a bottle of water the second day!! Needless to say, by the time I left the hospital, all hope was lost...he just wanted those damn rubber things. Everything went wonderful with my second son. He was on the breast less than an hour after birth and stayed there until I had to return to work when he was eight weeks old. Why did I stop then? Same problem...as soon as he had a bottle's nipple instead of mine, he was done. The milk just didn't flow fast enough for him. It broke my heart, but I know I did my very best for both of my children. Don't judge me as "refusing my offspring" anything...I hated spending hundreds of dollars on expensive baby formula that wasn't nearly as healthy as my own milk. Fate played a hand that I didn't want, yet I have to live with.

Blessings

Answer 5

I don't know why that is for all women who choose not to breastfeed but, my sister-in-law tried breastfeeding and was very nervous and uncomfortable with it and worried she was not letting my niece get enough milk. She did try it for about the first 3-5 days and then did switch to formula. I also have a friend who could not breast feed because her son was lactose intolerant and he got sick everytime she breast fed so she did have to switch to lactose free formula. I think some just either arent comfortable, babies are lactose intolerant, or maybe just choose not to. For whatever reason they choose, it should be up to the mother what they do. I know that they are told that breast milk is best and are helped and shown the correct way to breast feed before leaving the hospital, but once they leave it really is up to the mother and not the doctor or lactation consultant.

Answer 6

I think a lot of it is going back to work, school or whatever. I also hate the way our country views this act...we are one of the few countries where breasts are so over the top sexual. I dont get that, cause every woman has them...even our grannies! lol. I nursed my kids as long as possible, and I got so much crap from rude strangers AND "friends". It was like I was some sort of pervert for nursing past one year, and people were nosy and RUDE! I even had a lady tell me I should leave a restaurant because I was nursing (under a blankie where no one could even see) After a while, I only nursed at home, and I just didnt tell people, it wasnt worth the constant comments. I know I did the right thing, and I wish all mommies could see how wonderful it can be if they wait out those little problems. But, I do know some moms just cant do it, and they are still great moms.

Answer 7

I've heard that most women are worried that they'll sag if they breastfeed or they try to breast feed and expect it to just happen...sorry but it's like anything else it takes practice! some babies latch on quickly and hey! no problem. But, for the others, it takes time and they're learning too..it's not like they had a pair of practice breast's in there. And yes sometimes you try everything and your being patient and really trying to make it work with out giving up but sometimes that baby just wants none of it. And if your going back to work you can pump your milk as well.

Answer 8

When breastfeeding you are the sole food source for your child, for many women that terrifies them. Also it's very difficult to work while breastfeeding. There are often issues with leaving the baby for any extended period of time, and of course the fact that it can be very embarrassing to feed baby in public. I bottle fed my first two (very unsupportive father) and breast fed my second two (new husband very supportive of whatever I want) I am older now and don't care what people think when I feed the baby in public, I took off work to stay home and I am capable of juggling my time better.
I also thought with my first child that breastfeeding was really gross (I was 21) and with my last (I was 28) the most natural thing to do. Also knowing that the first 2 mos of breast milk was very beneficial to baby helped. I figured that I could stop after that. I BF my son until he was 1 yr old and my daughter until she was 1 1/2.
Hope this helps

Answer 9

I chose not to breastfeed because I just didn't want to! Never tried it- never had the desire to. I make no excuses about it because it's nobody's business but mine. My baby (now 3) was just as healthy as other kids if not more so! And very smart.

Formula isn't poison. Thank you very much.

ETA-

If I'm of of the women that you feel have gotten defensive- I'm not nor do I feel or even care that you or any other of these women are judging me for my decision not to breastfeed. I feel 100% OK giving my kid formula and have NO interest having a kid slurp milk out of my boob around the clock like some farm animal.

Also- has anybody noticed that before formula was even invented that the human lifespan was so much shorter and people were much sicker?? Just a thought....

Answer 10

Well some women actually cant. My friends milk literally never came in. She maybe got half an ounce? And she tried pumping some women just cant. I personally had a C section I dunno if that made it harder...but I tried to feed him, pumped ever 1 1/2 -2 hours and I did everything my lactose consultant said and I never got more than 1 ounce EVER. So not every women who says they couldnt is lying. I know a lot of people do it for their own benefit. Its much easier to make a bottle. I wanted to breastfeed so bad and I was crushed when I couldnt. I dont understand not wanting to but everyone is different.