Is it okay to choose not to breastfeed your baby?

Question

Im trying to decide what I want to do. My own mother swore on breastfeeding and I know all the things they say are benefits to it (yet tons of formula raised children are 100% healthy) and everyone calls you 'selfish' if you choose not to but I really dont want to. I feel as if my body my choice and that I will be able to enjoy feeding my baby a gazillion times more through a bottle.

I am considering the possibility of using pumps for the benefits of milk at least for a little while....

Answer 1

Whoo, I think you are looking to open a debate.

I think it is NO ONES business on what feeding method is chosen except for the momma, and her family. NO ONES. We all know how beneficial breast feeding is...even formula companies promote breast feeding. Why society feels to get involved, I don't know. I think we have way more issues that need to be dealt with then this one.

That being said, sure...if you will enjoy feeding your baby a gazillion more times through a bottle then go for it. That's the decision YOU made for YOUR baby. Congrats on the little one...it's a fun time =)

edit: I see you said you might use pumps...I would try the medela pump...it worked awesome for me. In the end, the breast milk was causing a major problem for her health-wise, but man, that pump was awesome. It was called medela in style, and it came in a black case you can take anywhere.

Answer 2

Looks like you've got everyone riled up, lol.

I had my heart set on breastfeeding but my son was born a month early and we were unaware of his problems with latching, sucking and coordinating all of these movements. Long story short, when he was three weeks old I had to start supplementing. That was the single most agonizing choice I've ever had to make in my life. (My hubby was supportive either way.) And the reason it was so agonizing is because so many people walk around acting like they are God and you are scum if you don't breastfeed your child.

Formula has come a long way and while I'm the first to say that most moms don't give it a fair shot and give up too soon, that is their right. I know plenty of kids that were formula fed and are now doctors, lawyers, etc. Your child is not going to be stupid if it gets formula instead of breastmilk. Although there is no denying the health benefits of breastmilk, I know kids that were breastfed until the age of 2 with all kinds of health problems and I look at my son who was almost exclusively formula fed, didn't get his first illness until he was 14 mo old and has been healthy since.

I'd love to see you give it a shot to make sure it's not something you like and to ensure that your baby at least gets the colostrum. Worse case is that the baby ends up on formula anyway. No matter what happens, don't let people tell you that you're a bad person or a bad parent. As much as some may want it to be, giving your infant formula isn't grounds for allegations of neglect or abuse.

Answer 3

I hope you'll at least give it a shot, at least in the first couple days to get colostrum. But I can understand and respect the fact that you don't want to breastfeed. As someone who had post partum depression, I sometimes think I would have enjoyed my son's first couple months more if I HAD formula fed. But I stuck with it and I'm really happy I did. Also, my sister and I have a friend who was sexually abused as a child and she has decided to formula feed because she has issues with people (even babies) touching a "private" part of her body. I sympathize with her. She knows the benefits of breastfeeding and it really hurts her feelings if people give her "the look" when she says she's going to FF her son.

My point is, you never know why someone doesn't want to breastfeed. There are plenty of valid reasons. I know I'll get a lot of thumbs down for this, but I don't care. There are many things I disagree with but I realize that not everyone has to share my beliefs. As long as a woman knows the benefits of breastfeeding, she should be left alone to feed her baby however she wants to

I'm stepping off my soapbox now...

Answer 4

Is it ok to choose not to breastfeed your baby? Yes, it's ok not to breastfeed your baby. I was raised on formula....but have decided to breastfeed my child. (My DH was breastfed and I must admit that he has a much better immune system than I and is probably better "adjusted" than I am, too :^)

I say, give it a try at the hospital after birth (especially if you're thinking of pumping) and if it doesn't work out and you don't want to make an effort, use formula (not Leche League advice, but we mom's have so much other guilt to face, why put the pressure on each other?).

Don't listen to the judgment statements that people make. It's your choice and your body. Do what you're comfortable with because your baby will "know" how you feel about breastfeeding and might not feed well if you're against it.

Good luck

Answer 5

Only you can make the decision whether or not to breastfeed. Which ever way you choose, do not let anyone make you feel like less of a person or a bad mom for choosing so. You are still taking care of your child whether you choose breastmilk or formula!

I exclusively breastfeed my daughter and she is almost 5 months old. We had some difficulty in the beginning but I think we've worked most of the stuff out. My sister, cousin, and sister-in-law all recently had babies and ALL of them formula feed. Two of them tried breastfeeding and it didn't work out for them.

My advice would be to do whatever makes you comfortable. You may want to give breastfeeding a try so you can say that you did try it, but don't feel bad if you decide not to at all. Formula is out there for a reason :) Good luck!

Answer 6

You need to do what feels right to you. There is no way breastfeeding will work for you if you aren't 100% dedicated to doing it. Breastfeeding is best for the baby. I breastfed both of my sons, and I enjoyed the experience. I am sure as long as you feed the baby that is what matters the most, not what you feed the baby (formula or breast milk). Good luck!

Answer 7

At a minimum they ask that you Try for at least a week or two. It is perfectly fine if you choose not to breastfeed. You have to do what works for you and your baby. Do what you feel most comfortable with. Congrats on the new baby- Merry Christmas

Answer 8

Sure it is okay to bottle feed your baby, most mom's choose it for it's convenience and it is 100% healthy for the baby.Just an old wives tale about breast milk being the only good choice, good luck on whatever you decide.

Answer 9

You're right- it is your own body but no one can dispute that breastmilk is what's best.
Tons of children born to smoking mothers are perfectly healthy, too but it doesn't mean that it's a good thing to do.
You should give breastfeeding a shot- for your baby.

Answer 10

it is your choice.

i personally like breastfeeding because it will help boost immunities, prevent allergies, etc. and best of all, it's FREE and i have never heard of a child getting sick from it. it's an amazing feeling, bonding with your child in a way no one else can.

there are a lot of really good formulas are out there. if you choose formula, make sure it has as many breast milk properties as possible. you may have to go thru several if your baby starts to exhibit allergies

when my cousin was a baby, she had to have what my uncle called "liquid gold" because she had to be on formula that was WAY expensive.

remember that you can bottle feed breast milk if it just weirds you out that a baby would be suckling. you can pump and fill bottles.