Explain being "not comfortable with" breast-feeding?

Question

Earlier today I asked why somebody might choose to bottle-feed from the get-go without even trying breast-feeding; see

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq6XvaHRGdBf_SqficTKBxLsy6IX?qid=20070312033259AAWAf9A

if curious.

I got a couple of answers from the people I was looking for (those who planned to bottle-feed, not those who switched for some reason). They were "not comfortable with breast-feeding."

What does that mean? How so "uncomfortable"? (I can think of an explanation, but it's kind of sick and sad, so I'd like to think I'm just not getting it.) I've seen that sort of reason on here before; it can't be an unheard-of thing.

NB: not "it was painful." Am referring to people who didn't try it at all, because they weren't comfortable with the concept.

The point about _their_ mothers is an interesting one.

Answer 1

There are some people who are just not comfortable with the thought of breastfeeding. Sometimes because they feel like it's a part of their body that they don't want to share with a kid, or because it's just too hard for them to want to try. I've met a couple of young women who feel this way, and they really can't explain the feeling, they just know it was not for them. One in particular though told me that she was going to try it out with the next one, and the reason it was hard to even try with the first was because she felt so sick after giving birth. I don't think these women are selfish or unreasonable, they just aren't into nursing, and that's okay. I personally liked it, I just couldn't go past 5 months with my first. Definitely going to give it a better try this time around!

Answer 2

Huh... I guess that is an odd thing to hear, because most women say its the best "bonding" with their baby that could ever be. But, (I am 3 months preg. by the way) I actually can understand why some women say they feel uncomfortable doing it. It was actually my very first "baby dream" I had and it was about breastfeeding and how for some reason I felt wierd in my dream that I liked doing it because it was "my boob" and my baby, so in a way I felt I was "bad" (if you know what I mean) for enjoying the experience. But when I really looked at it, I am just a person who is uncomfortable with my body. Yea, I'm skinny and in great shape, but I just dont feel comfortable without cloths or exposing myself unless I'm showering (even infront of my husband) So to answer your question, I think those women are just a little too self-reserved (which isn't a bad thing) for breastfeeding. It is just an "inky" feeling to have something sucking from your breast. And they may want to provide the milk, but use a pump & bottle in their own privacy. Don't know if I made any sence... i hope so. (oh... by the way... i'm on my husbands account, so if your wondering about my profile pic... thats not me! hehe)

Answer 3

Some moms have problems with supply, others find it just to darn painful to tolerate. Some people have had such hard deliveries, that they are taking all their effort to recover and don't' have anything physically left for baby.

I have a friend who kept passing thrush back and forth between baby and mom, so she finally decided to bottle feed. Another who had to take medications that were not breast-feeding friendly, so she had to decide between being sick all the time and breast-feeding, or bottle feeding.

Many women find it difficult to care for their baby's and themselves. Their philosophy may be as a happier mom, I am a better mom.

All that being said, I did choose to breastfeed, even though it is very painful and frustrating. I really try not to judge everyone else's decisions, as long as they recognize that the path I took was hard. The friends I have that bottle feed often feel guilty about it, but have decided Itch was the best route for them. I complain constantly about breastfeeding, but I believe it was the best route for me.

Answer 4

It could be associated with the fact that breastfeeding can be a painful process but also you need to take into consideration how these parents were raised themselves. Not every single woman wants to breast feed or feels it is a natural, no matter how many websites you throw in their face. It isn't going to change how they FEEL. If you were raised with a mother who thought breastfeeding was "un-natural" or "gross" changes are you are going to feel the same way about it yourself.

We know that breastfeeding is better for the baby but formula feeding doesn't mean that we love our children any less than a breastfeeding mom or that we don't want the best for our children. There is nothing wrong with feeding your baby formula, so quit brow-beating the mothers who choose to.

Answer 5

Most women are uncomfortable with breastfeeding because the best has been sexualized in our society. I don't think these women are referring to physical discomfort as much as the emotional/social discomfort.

Breastfeeding, especially in public, earns a lot of rude stares and even comments. Even though it is best for the baby, many women choose not to breastfeed when they are capable because of what other people think and how they react. And I think that is sad, but very true.

Answer 6

Well i am currently trying to get pregnant and i already made the decision that i am not going to breastfeed..but unlike most women who choose not to, I DONT THINK ITS GROSS (although i understand how some do and do not judge them for that) I simply dont think its for me, i think in todays world formula fed babies are just as well off as breast fed babies. I look foward to being able to share the "feeding" process of my future child with my husband, and not having it be all my responsibilty...i want us to share that responsibility as parents. I also feel as if bottle feeding would be somewhat easier on both myself and my baby. In my case i wouldnt have to deal with the pain and "pressure" of breast feeding..and i would not have to "guesstimate" how much my child is eating. With a bottle you know how much there eating and that seems like a great comfort to me. So my choice not to breast fed has nothing to do with thinking its "GROSS" or "UNNATURAL".

Answer 7

It can be very painful. Also, emotionally it can be painful if the baby can't grab on, and it's hard to keep trying when you have a hungry baby crying and you know it would be so simple to help it get fed with a bottle. But it is so rewarding and so much easier then bottle feeding after you get used to it.

Answer 8

I think most women who claim to be "uncomfortable" with breast feeding have never tried to breast feed their babies. I was uncomfortable with it before I had my first baby and I breastfed her anyway. I breastfed her for 18 months and I breastfeed my 11 month old son now. I don't consider myself to be a militant breast feeder nor do I think that quoting major health organizations is brow beating. I'm not saying all breast fed babies are healthier then all formula fed babies but statistics favor breastfeeding and that should make up for a little discomfort.

Answer 9

I wasn't comfortable with it because of the effects it would have had on my children. I have an autoimmune disease that the placenta apparently protected them (all three of them) from, had a 7% risk of them acquiring. But the breast milk would have given them a 97% more likely chance of obtaining.

Very little is known about this disease so the choice was unfortunately an easy one for me. I wanted to breast feed originally, had a break down when I was told I wasn't allowed to for the health of my child.

Answer 10

i hear some women say it's too sexual, some women say they fear it will hurt, some women say bottle feeding is better bcus the baby stays fuller. i know physically women on heavy meds, women with health problems, and women who are underweight shouldn't breastfeed for health reasons. My mil keeps trying to discourage me from breastfeeding and i tell her plain and simple if i wasn't supposed to breast feed, i wouldn't produce milk. so i don't understand how something built into my body can be unnatural. to each her own i just prefer not to called gross for choosing the breast over the bottle as i ouldn't mock mothers who chose different rearing or feeding methods.