Not for medical reasons just purely choice.
I did not breast feed first time, although I want to this time, so was/am I bad mother for not doing it first time around?
2007-01-12 00:23:33 · 49 answers · asked by Smoochy Poochy 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Leen- What?
2007-01-12 00:59:21 · update #1
No, I didn't breastfeed by choice and I'm not a bad mother. If not breastfeeding was bad, someone wouldn't have invented formula.
2007-01-12 00:28:03 · answer #1 · answered by Aaliyah & Natalie's Mommy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh my god - thank you for opening this one up. I know the best advice is to breastfeed, but I personally felt repulsed by it. I didn't want to do it on any of my 3 kids even though I was made to feel like a woman with 3 heads when I was in hospital.
When I got home after having my 3rd child, my health visitor asked if I was bottle or breast feeding, when I said bottle, she said that the formula is so advanced now that there really is no different.
My children are as healthy as the next children, my mums friend has 6 kids all breastfed - 1 had pneumonia at 8 months, 1 has a wheat intolerence, 1 has had severe tooth decay (resulting in 6 baby teeth being taken out), and 1 has really bad exzema & asthma- My one child who is 8 has only had antibiotics twice, and my other son and daughter (5 & 2) have never had antibiotics - so do I feel guilty - No! Should you feel guilty - NO!
It's all about the nanny state telling us what's best for us!!
p.s I think toddlers/older children being breastfed is disgusting and peverse
2007-01-12 08:52:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I didn't breastfeed my first but am breast feeding my second. I would say that it's easier and cheaper and after the first week relatively painless. I wish I had breastfed my first for no other reason than I enjoy the closeness but I do not and have never felt like a bad mother because I did not breast feed my first.
There is a lot more pressure nowadays on women with the breast is best campaigns but the choice is still yours and do not let a lot of do-gooders influence you or make you question your abilities as a mother!
2007-01-12 01:11:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think someone has obviously told you, what a terrible mother you are/were and thats why you asked this question.
Its very much a personal choice, I attempted to breast feed all 3 of my children, only the middle one was breast fed for any amount of time. The other two children were on formula quite quickly, and all 3 children have thrived.
You have to decide what is best for you and your children, don't let anyone bully you or force you to do anything you are not comfortable with.
The only people that matter in this situation is your family.
Good luck xxx
2007-01-12 05:03:18 · answer #4 · answered by Denise H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I breast fed my first child due to feeling pressurised by the hospital. I did not enjoy the experience as I found it extremely difficult and felt a useless mother because I couldn't get it right. Second time round I decided that I wasn't going to be bullied into doing it again.I found the whole experience better and felt a more confident and happy mother. I believe that you should do what feels right for you and not let anybody make you feel bad for whatever choice you make. I'm sure you are a great mum and whether you breast fed your first child or not makes no difference!!
2007-01-12 06:28:58 · answer #5 · answered by ali 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean. I have 4 children and I did not breastfeed the first 2, personnal choice, I tried to nurse the 3rd but had problems so stopped after 3 week and now with my 4th he is 7 months old and still nursing. I don't feel like I cheated my older children in anyway, I made a decision at the time that felt right to me and they are fine. Don't stress out about it remember ~ when Mommy is happy everyone is happy ~ relax and enjoy your children, breastfeeding or not!!!
2007-01-12 02:40:39 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG! ABSOLUTELY NOT! I'm sure it depends on what LaLeche fanatic you talk to though. Some of them will try to make you feel guilty.
That is a very personal choice; Heck, the baby may or may not even take to the breast, or may have issues with the milk you do provide (based on the foods you ingest!) Or the baby may simply prefer a bottle.
I had a "little miss independent". She didn't even like being held close, or swaddled, so BF was really difficult and I gave it up shortly- We were BOTH much happier!
2007-01-12 00:34:23 · answer #7 · answered by juicy13500 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No not at all. I wanted to breast feed for my first one but was very uncomfortable at doing it, and gave up trying. I felt bad at first cause I thought I was not giving my child the best thing for them but I formula is so well made these days, theres nothing wrong with it. I was given Carnation Milk, and I am doing great, very successful. So don't feel bad, some people like it, some don't.
2007-01-12 00:47:11 · answer #8 · answered by Proud Mother 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is your body and your right to choose.
Which is worse - feeding your baby with a bottle but enjoying the bonding time or breastfeeding your baby, hating every minute and resenting the baby.
It is a very brave decision to make as there is a big 'breast is best' campaign going on. But you have to do what makes you both the most comfortable.
Good luck with which ever way you choose.
2007-01-12 00:33:31 · answer #9 · answered by bottomburps 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I definately do not think it makes you a bad mother. I chose to breastfeed my children but only because that was what i wanted. I think it would be worse to breastfeed when you really dont want to as the baby would pick up on how uncomfortable you find it and probably wouldn't be getting enough of your milk. It is every womans choice and shouldn't be forced into it.
2007-01-12 06:23:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did not breastfeed my daughter, and I don not plan to breastfeed the baby I'm carrying now. It does not make you a bad mother. Breastfeeding has nothing to do with your parental skills. Although breastfeeding is supposed to be better formula had the same nutrients that your baby needs. Either way nothing is going to effect the way you raise your children. Good luck
2007-01-12 00:34:20 · answer #11 · answered by lem 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋