Wat are ur views on breast feeding?

Question

i am 26 wks preg, and feel under alot of pressure from the midwives to breast feed! i dont mind using the pump and expressing the milk but i def dont want my baby feeding from my breast! am just so uncomfortable with it. i see my boob as a sexual part of my body for me and my partner i wud not want him near something my baby fed from! am i a weirdo? does anyone else feel the same?
and anyone with smart or cheeky answers i will report it dont waste my time!

Thanks xxx

Answer 1

It's a real shame that women feel so uncomfortable doing it. That breasts are now a sexual thing.

At the hospital, kick everyone out, and just try it once. You'll see how oddly natural it feels. Like it's supposed to happen.

And I do give you props for the willingness to pump if you dont like direct nursing. Just make sure your baby gets the breast milk either way.

Just think though .... of all the nutrients, immunities and everything else breast milk has ..... a little uncomfortable feeling is a small sacrifice to make sure your baby gets it, right?
.

Answer 2

I'm breast feeding my son and I actually have a hard time keeping my husband away from my breasts. I've always been top heavy for my height but pregnancy and now feeding have pushed me into a F cup, which my husband loves even more than my normal E.

I did and still do have a few moments when we're intimate switching from baby to adult view of my breasts (a bit like get off those are the baby's) but they are no more or less sensative and I don't get confused as the baby suckling feels very different to my husband's touch. I must admit that is did feel really weird the first time I let hubby touch because it wasn't until I went to pull my bra cups up that I realised I had been leaking milk and we were both wet - I didn't feel it while it was actually happening. However I've gotten so used to getting wet during a feed (especially when my son lets go without warning and triggers a fountain effect), and from baby drool, vomit etc that a little leakage really doesn't bother me at all.

I've never had any real problems with my body being on show, having been brought up in a family where nudity is nothing to embarassed about - especially as the bathroom door was a sliding door with no lock. I had to hand express into a syringe in hospital and it did not even occur to me to react when the midwife basically took hold and milked me. I've fed my son in front of my family including my sister's 12 year old and her husband, and my husband's parents. I've fed him in the middle of the local shopping mall food court and in the town square. If done carefully no one should see anything, heck you see more on show at the beach and I've had conversations with complete strangers without them noticing - the only person who I know realised was a an older lady who peaked because wanted to see his face and we just carried on talking.

I've been able to mentally seperate the sexual from the natural aspect and I imagine most women can do so. That said if you feel uncomfortable with the idea now then don't feel pressured into doing something you don't want, it's your body and you have the ultimate say in what you do with it. However when you actually have that newborn in your arms you might just change your mind - try to keep an open mind for now as like with a birth plan things can change - half my birth plan went out the window when it came down to the crunch.

Answer 3

Breast Feeding is a completely personal thing and while midwives may encourage it, in the end if you in your own mind know you will not be completely comfortable with it then you are probably going to find it harder to do anyway, it is not always an easy thing to do for any woman so forcing yourself to breast feed is not going to be helpful to anyone. To be honest though i would stop worrying now and wait until you have had the baby and see what your body tells you to do then, but just do what feels right for you and your baby. All the best.

Answer 4

When I had my daughter the midwives and nurses at the hospital were so keen for me to breastfeed and did put an amazing amount of pressure on me. I had my daughter really early - she was premature and I woke up in intensive care after the emergency delivery to find a nurse looking at me asking me to express milk for the baby! I was so stunned, I didn't really know what had happened! But yes they do go on at you about it. You do what is right for you. In the end my daughter didn't take to breastfeeding at all because she was so small but I did express milk for her which she was then given. The only thing is that some people say that your milk dries up more if your baby is not physically feeding from you, so express a lot (I was even asked to wake up in the night to do it). And also makes sure your baby gets lots of skin to skin contact with you as this helps with the milk too. Your body reacts to being next to your baby and gets ready to produce more milk.

Just be strong, and if something really does not feel right for you then just say.

Answer 5

breasts are mammary glands and are meant to feed human babies in the same way some mammals feed their little ones through their breast. It is also a sexual object but if nature had not designed it for the purpose of feeding, then it would not be producing milk and teats would not be designed to look like the breast.
I think you should look at it from that perspective. The baby only feeds on your breast for a limited time, couple of months, but your partner would have it as a sexual object for a longer period.
There is nothing wrong with expressing if that is what you chooose to do.

Answer 6

hi there, breast feeding really is a personal choice, i am a very strong believer in breast feeding, i have three children, my eldest two were breast fed until almost 2-years-old and i'm still feeding my youngest daughter who's 12-months, i am also pregnant and baby #4 is due 5th march who i plan to breast feed also!!!

even though breast feeding is a must for myself, you should not feel under any pressure to do it. If you feel uncomfortable then expressing your milk is a fantastic option! it may be tricky to start with but once it starts to flow all will be fine! i must warn you - it hurts so bad to start with and i would assume it would hurt even more to pump but in my opinion it is DEFINITELY worth it!!!

If you would really like to pump, then would you consider feeding your baby from your breast until it stops hurting, then continue using a pump?

whatever you choose is entirely your choice and do not feel pressured into doing anything you don't want to do! there is so much pressure and worries when your new baby arrives, there is absolutely no need to add to it!

good luck hun x

Answer 7

I think it would be good if you sought support from a professional organisation eg http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk .
Yes, you can of course express your milk but it is hard work - twice as much effort in fact.
Women's breasts are primarily for feeding babies, not for titillating (excuse the pun, couldn't resist) men.
For the benefit of others, let me state a few facts as opposed to conjecture:
Breastmilk is the only food designed for babies. Formula is made from cow's milk - which was designed for baby cows.
Babies who are not breastfed are 4 times more likely to be hospitalised with respiratory infections. They also get more tummy bugs and ear infections. Non-breastfed babies might not be as bright as those that are breastfed.
Formula-fed babies are more at risk of juvenile diabetes and obesity.
Women who breastfeed are better protected against ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. They are also better protected against some breast cancers.
Finally, no-one knows for sure that babies who are being fed formula today will be as healthy as their breastfed peers in 60 years time. Just because they're "fine" now, doesn't mean to say they always will be.
One last point - I find it really upsetting that so many people say things like "it's your choice what you do". What about the other person involved in this - the baby? They don't get a choice, do they. You are making decisions which could affect the rest of their little lives. Please, do the unselfish thing and think of the baby you're bringing into the world. Heavens, it's the least you can do.

Answer 8

dont let them pressurise you into anything, its your baby. I breastfed my son because I wanted to but its personal choice. What matters is that you love your child and care for your baby. If you want to do it then try not to see your boobs as sexual when you are feeding but this will be hard if you already think this. I would bottle feed, then, if you do try it and stop you wont feel guilty about it. Breast milk is meant to be better for your baby, but there are so many formula milks out there to choose from there will be one to suit you. Do what you feel is right, it is you having the baby not anyone else.

Good luck***

Answer 9

i felt exactly the same way. i was dead set against breastfeeding. i was absolutely positive our daughter would be formula fed. then at 26 weeks she was born via emergency c-section. shortly after her birth the nurses asked me if i planned to breastfeed. i said no, thought about it for a minute, look at her and said "yes, i would like to breastfeed". because my daughter was so little and sick she was gavage fed (she had a tube down in her nose that they but my pumped breast milk through). i pumped for 11 weeks until she was able to visit at the breast. when they asked if i wanted to try it, i was unsure at first. but i tried it anyway. the first time i was really uncomfortable with it, but once she kinda of caught on it was an emotional experience i will never forget. i cried. unfortunately her digestive system is a little out of wack and she could no longer tolerate breast milk so she had to be put on a partially broken down formula. i felt the same way you do, but now i wish i could still breastfeed her. at least try it while you're in the hospital with your baby and where there are professionals that can guide you. if you decide it's not for you, at least you tired! good luck!

Answer 10

I bottle fed my eldest and breastfed my two younger children. There is a lot of pressure to breastfeed during the pregnancy but it does stop when they are born.
I personally feel my children who has been breastfed have got better immune systems and are brighter, but every child is different.

Being a mother should be a joyous and wonderful experience, do it happily knowing that you will be giving your child the other things it needs more,love, warmth, shelter and food. As long as it has those, what should it matter which method of feeding it has.