I'm not talking about the women who couldn't nurse, just those who could and opted not too. Just curious. The AAP now recommends women breastfeed their children for a MINIMUM of one year but yet I hear of most giving up in the first couple of months or not trying at all. Do you think it's because us Americans are more selfish than women in other countries or something? Shouldn't we put the best interests of our babies before ourselves?
2007-03-12 22:54:32 · 16 answers · asked by Haulie 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Some people just might not want to its as simple as that. It might not feel right for them. Ive had 3 children and i only breastfeed well tried with one and that was my youngest, it only lasted a few days because she has a tounge tie and had a lot of trouble latching on! With my other 2 i couldnt tell you why i didnt breastfeed but i just did'nt. Some women like it others dont. Its a personal choice and i think everyone should support what ever the mothers choice is. I know someone whos partner MADE her breastfeed and i know she didnt want to but he forced her, thats wrong. All because its "better" for the child! Formula wouldnt have been made for babies if it wasnt good for them either.
2007-03-12 23:17:28 · answer #1 · answered by channy_simon 3 · 4⤊ 4⤋
I have to admit, before it read the rest of your question, I was ready to have a go at you. I had to formula feed at five weeks, as my daughter was not putting on weight because I wasn't producing enough milk. But for a woman to CHOOSE not to breastfeed for any other reason than for convenience is extremely selfish! If more women trusted their instincts and did what they felt was best for their child and not what "society" says is okay and not okay, the kids today would be alot smarter and well-behaved. For example, ever since my baby was 3 months old, I've started putting a few drops of salmon oil in her formula. Due to this, every time someone sees her, they comment on how alert she looks and how smart she is! She has slept through the night ever since she was 5 weeks old and hardly cries. She is a beautiful, well-behaved baby due to the fact that I did what I thought was right during my pregnancy - not what so-called "experts" told me was the right thing. She's never suffered from colic or reflux either. But as far as the breastfeeding goes, I tried to do it for as long as I could for her sake, and I think other women should as least try it...
2007-03-13 00:20:10 · answer #2 · answered by Nickie C 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
for me personally I had health problems the first time I know a legitimate reason to stop I fed for the first 6 weeks and my doctors made me stop, they had good reason and I did, for my second I had a boy who was very very hungry, my milk supply never came in fully I tried with the help of a lactation consultant for 6 weeks (following all the tricks and advice of others)and then gave up to the bottle and formula much to the delight of my boy who was much happier on the bottle I still gave him one feed at night and day when he wanted mama more than milk, that lasted til about 2 1/2 months and then my milk stopped.
so I have not had much luck but with my third child I plan to try again.
2007-03-16 17:58:45 · answer #3 · answered by Blessed Rain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son's mother breastfed him until he was 2 years old and I'm so grateful that she is such a good mother. She comes from Sweden where womrn are truly educated about thr benefits of extended breastfeeding. The culture is pro-breastfeeding and also make it a priority for mothers to stay home to care for the infants as long as possible. I am from South America and the women there also breastfeed for long periods of time. It's natural. I think American women do tend to be more selfish.
2007-03-13 15:15:28 · answer #4 · answered by Latin_Lvr 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately society has a less than positive attitude to breastfeeding women, a lot of people are put off because they are afraid they will need to feed their babies in public and are embarrassed to do so.
Personally I think it is shocking I have breastfed all 5 of my children for varying lengths of time, and have been made all too aware of negative reactions, the worst one being from my 11 year old stepson, who when we were out one day told me to feed my daughter in the toilet.
Such a shame the next generation are not listening already and adopting the bigoted views of their elders.
2007-03-12 23:08:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because they've been brain washed by society to think that breasts should be displayed on the cover of super-market tabloids but that using them to feed babies (their natural purpose) is weird or dirty or odd or something. This makes them uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding in public.
They've bought into the marketing line that formula is "just as good" for their children. The doctors are afraid of offending anyone (paying client!) so they don't recommend breastfeeding as strongly as they should. (And of course then there are all the freebies from the formula companies.)
They are obsessed with knowing how much their baby is eating and want to see the numbers on the side of that bottle. (All you have to do is watch wet and dirty diapers to know! What goes in must come out!)
They're afraid it will hurt. (It should NOT hurt if you're doing it right!) They don't know how to get help to fix it if it does hurt. They hear horror stories from friends or family who had a bad experience so they are afraid to try.
ETA:
Aussie - Sorry to hear you got such terrible misinformation. You CAN breastfeed with inverted nipples. It DOES NOT mean that no milk will come out. Having inverted nipples can make latching more difficult, but it DOES NOT mean that you won't produce milk. You just have to be extra patient in teaching baby how to latch on. MANY women with flat or inverted nipples nurse their babies.
2007-03-13 00:40:50 · answer #6 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
In my situation, I had a C-section, he wasn't latching on, my nipples started to crack and bleed, I have 4 other children to take care of, and he wasn't getting enough milk. So I made the best possible decision for myself, baby and family and I chose to go with formula. I do feel guilty about it to an extent but I made the decision and my baby is a strong and healthy 13 month old.
2007-03-13 00:46:49 · answer #7 · answered by peach 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
As one who fed her three children for longer than the average( !! )I find it a bit rough that we talk about this issue as a negative thing rather than encourage those who are breastfeeding ! A guilty mother is one who stresses out more easily ,overcompensates perhaps in other atreas etc,etc There will always be women who mourn getting older and losing their 'elastic'!
As a moderate to small breasted woman I loved having bigger breasts ,I loved being able to eat good food knowing that my baby would benefit,I loved the relaxing effect of the whole process on me and my child .On a less superficial level I was committed to give my children the best possible start in life that I was able to manage for the sake of their health and their own childrens health in the future.....I realise that I was fortunate enough at that time to have a partner who was able to support the family financially and support the breastfeeding as a best health concept so that I didnt return to work until my youngest was weaned.
Maybe the stress of returning to work these days to service the hungry mortgage is drying up mothers milk???
Maybe its fear of ending up with saggy breasts???? Ain't necessarily so ...
Maybe the way life is going its just not glamorous to get so frankly mammalian ? Curious with so much breast worship going on !!!
I feel that part of the process of becoming a mother is that your instincts to put your child first are activated.......to answer your last question.
2007-03-12 23:42:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
One Year?? don't they have teeth by then! Ouch! I am pregnant right now but plan to breastfeed only until 6 months of age. To answer your question, I guess some women don't do it because of the pain or because it's inconvenient for them. It's a personal choice. I however do plan on breastfeeding until about 6 months. But a year!? No way..too many teeth by then!
2007-03-13 02:36:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
i had a low milk supply due to my hypothyroidism so i breastfed for 3 weeks while supplementing with formula. i was also depressed, exhausted, overwhelmed and in pain.
life did become easier after i gave up breastfeeding and i was finally able to enjoy my baby boy. what he needed was a happy mom. he is now a healthy 4 year and old. the most serious illness he had so far was an pneumonia at 2 years old and 1 ear infection last year.
personally i think there are worse things a mother can do to her child.
2007-03-13 01:12:02 · answer #10 · answered by Miki 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋