I went for my first apt and to the WIC office today...?

Question

Well my first appt has nothing to do w/ what I'm going to ask but just wanted to let everyone know that I found out my due date and its 2/12/08. So happy to finally have one. OK here comes the question...I went to the WIC office for an appt right afterwards and I am completely turned off at breast feeding it just gives me the chills even tho it is the most natural and healthy way to go. They told me basically that I should try to change my mind and they told my fiancee to try to change it for me. Well help me change it. I wish I did want to do it but I just cant get past the chills whenever I think about it. Does anyone else feel this way? And if you did breast feed I congratulate you b/c I REALLY wish I could but I cant. But then again I'm early i'm only 9 weeks maybe i'll change my mind.

Answer 1

I really understand how you feel...I kinda feel weird about it also...and I am one of those people who will not be doing it in public...its just not me...I am thinking that I will pump and use a bottle...maybe you would be interested in doing that? cuz then your baby will still get all the nutrients and it might be more private and normal for you. Thats what I am thinking about anyways....

Answer 2

First, I'm not trying to insult anybody here, but -- wow.

I'm amazed by your question, and I'm amazed by the answers that 'get it,' so to speak.

I can't identify with that at all.

What on earth do you think you have breasts for?

Why -- how does pregnancy and birth not 'turn you off' as well? If you can do those, why can't you breast feed?

You decided to get pregnant; I expect you _want_ to take care of and nurture a baby. Why leave out something so fundamental? What's going on in your mind that puts up a stumbling block in front of a pretty nice part of the whole thing? I mean, it's just so darn convenient, for one... It's not like any other aspect of caring for an infant is so flawlessly built in.

Just...well, maybe it might help to know that a lot of women would find those feelings to be the strange thing, not breastfeeding.

Answer 3

I breastfed for a year with my first and all i have to say is, I couldnt imagine doing it any other way. And not because of what youre thinking... I mean yeah you bond with the baby more and its rewarding and all of that. But honestly.... its way more convenient. I mean think about it.... its 4 in the morning, the baby has been up 3 times already that night.. would you prefer to get up, prepare the formula, nuke it, wait for it to cool down, all the while trying to calm a fussy baby, then sit and feed the baby for however long...... or would you rather just pick the baby up, lay on your side and let the baby eat while you drift back off to sleep? Plus instead of lugging around an overstuffed diaper bag, you can opt for something smaller and lighter, because the milk is already with you?

Regardless of anything... give it a try for at least a week or so. If you dont like it, switch to formula.

Answer 4

I know how you feel, the wic office has a bad rep into forcing moms into breastfeeding. Try reading this book it has a wealth of info about your pregnancy and even some stuff on breastfeeding; Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper

With my son I tried and was unsuccessful but when he developed COLIC I was wishing that I had kept trying so when I had my daughter I did for the first three months and she has been healthier and calmer. I'm not saying it's all do to the breast but I wonder b/c it trully was day and night with my children.
good luck

Answer 5

WIC tries to get mothers to breastfeed because it is cheaper than formula. I took a nutrition class with a professor that started the breast feeding program and I had to argue with him! He said children that are breatfed have less ear infections, cold and so forth. I only breastfed my youngest and she is in the hospital way more than the others! They also say you loose weight faster but I didnt, though I know others who have. And it hurt! I was so tender all the time! I hated leaking, I leaked all the time, anytime anychild cried I leaked! It was so painful I quit after 5 months!! Would not do it again. You have to be the judge of that though! It is a great bonding experiance for you and the baby though

Answer 6

My husband won't let me *not* breastfeed lol. I'm never sick, I don't have any allergies, and I haven't had the flu (or the flu shot) in probably 18 years. Breastfeeding is the best way to give your baby every immunity you've got. Its the perfect formula. The stuff on the shelves is based on women's breastmilk. Nothing synthetic can even come close.

Maybe to get over the heebie/jeebies is tell everyone you're gonna do formula feeding. Then in the comfort of your own home with your baby, give it a try. Your baby will thank you. I wonder if you're turned off by it because people are flaunting it at those meetings and all that. Go to all the classes, learn all you can, and go to pregnancy.org - they have videos on how to breastfeed and they show you how its done.

Maybe that will help you give it a shot. I thought it was a touch creepy too the way everybody just has pictures of women whipping it out. But, think about it.. All animals do it and women have been doing it for millions of years.

Best Regards.

Answer 7

They encourage it at WIC and a few other places I go to for help and information. They just want you to have the healthiest baby you can. I tell them I plan on doing both and they are fine with it.
There are benefits to breast feeding that you will hear over and over again, that's why they encourage people to at least give it a try. Think about it, got plenty of time. You just might change your mind.

Answer 8

You don't have to breastfeed if you're not comfortable with it. I mean they can talk to you about breastfeeding and explain to you that it is good for the baby but they definitely cannot tell you that you must breastfeed. As for your fiancee changing your mind I doubt that will happen. Just see how you feel after the baby is born. It is your body and formula fed babies don't suffer that much. You can always pump and supplement with that. I was set against it in the beginning but in the end I tried to breastfeed. I had to stop because my son was eating too much and my body couldn't keep up. Congratulations on your pregnancy and don't let anyone tell you what you need to do just listen to their advice and decide on your own.

Answer 9

Congratulations on your upcoming arrival!!
I felt exactly the same way you do. Breastfeeding makes my skin crawl. I have no problem being around other people doing it. More power to them, but it makes me very uncomfortable to do it myself. I put an honest effort into breastfeeding both of my kids but it didn't last past bringing them home from the hospital. And my husband supported my decision on that. I did get pressured by everybody from the doctor to my mother to keep it up. I believe that it is better for the baby for the mother to feed it the way she is most comfortable. That way both mother and baby are relaxed at feeding time and things can go more smoothly. And I understand about the WIC place. They wallpaper that building in breastfeeding posters and send you home with a 20lb bag of brochures about it. You and your baby will do just fine with formula.

Answer 10

It's there job to try to convince you otherwise, coming from someone whose worked in the WIC office before. LIke you said, it's better for baby & the point of WIC is to not only provide food & such, but education about healthy choices when it comes to nutrition. The other reason, plain & simple, is that formula is expensive & the more moms who breastfeed, the less the state has to fund formula wise.

All that said, I'm not planning to breastfeed either. It's something I'm not comfortable with for personal reasons that I don't share with others, so I'm not going into details on yahoo answers either. :) It doesn't change the love I have for my baby or the care I'll give him though. Don't feel bad for your choice & don't allow anyone to make you feel bad for your choice either. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Answer 11

With my first baby I didn't breastfeed because I hate my nipples being touched, and the thought of a baby sucking on them all day made me cringe.But after she started getting older, I realized that I missed out on something really special and I really really regret not doing it.I feel like I let her down in a way.

I am pregnant again and I will definitly be breastfeeding this time around, I have already started touching my nipples more so I can feel better about the baby sucking them.Btw, there is always the option of using a breast pump.
Good luck and I hope you make a desicion that is right for you.