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1st Trimester
breastfeeding, to do or not to do?
I have no desire to breast feed what so ever. I just don't want to do it, is that wrong of me? Does it mean I will be any less connected to my baby? Both my sister and I were formula fed and we were fine, my mother loved us. I know so many people are for it, what are your thoughts?
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Re: breastfeeding, to do or not to do?
I am, but I think you should just do what your comfortable with. It's a huge commitment. You could try it and see if you like it, but if it's not your thing, then stick with the bottle.
well firstly, get ready b/c i am sure you're about to start up a big debate.
that said, if you don't want to don't. if you have the baby and your milk comes in and you change your mind, then do.
it's your choice and honest to God your baby will be fine either way.
You'll change your mind several times.
With DS I didn't want to nurse. DH asked me to try. We're just now over a year and I love it.
Just try it at least.
I had a great nursing relationship with DD and will BF this baby as well.
That being said, the right decision for YOU is the one YOU'RE comfortable with. There's no right or wrong answer.
No one has come on here and started a debate about breastfeeding the problems have been when people come on saying untrue information most people on here don't care one way or the other how people feed there children, just as long as they have their facts straight
I will be breastfeeding this LO if at all possible. I tried with DD but we had problems.
Honestly, this is a personal decision. My DD is formula fed and she is VERY connected to us. She is a very very happy baby. She knows who mom and dad are. Although I'm sad I didn't get to nurse her, I know that she's happy, healthy, and loved. She knows it, too.
Don't force yourself to breastfeed just because you think you need to. That will set you and LO up for a stressful relationship.
If you feel like you need to give LO breastmilk, could you EP? Or would that be too close to nursing?
I always thought I would. Now that I actually have to think about it, I don't know if I'll be able to do it once I go back to work.
Game time decision!
since you asked for my honest opinion (puts on flame retardant suit), i think it's a mother's obligation to breastfeed her children, barring any medical reason why she cannot.
that being said, i know lots of women who have FF and have wonderful, healthy children. to each her own, right?
but for me? i would never FF unless absolutely zero milk came out of my breasts. that's why God gave them to us, to feed our children, not entertain our husbands! since you asked for personal opinions and all.
because of my beliefs, i made the best decision for my family. you have to make the best decision for yours! G/L with your decision.
Ditto this. I wouldn't take back nursing my guy for anything! It was a wonderful experience and I am actually EXCITED about doing it this time! I was pretty determined to BF throughout my first pregnancy but just felt a bit.. nervous, I suppose. All of my nervousness went out the window when I tried, though! It was great for me but different strokes for different folks!
oh my god I could have written this post 6 years ago. I had zero, nada, no desire to breastfeed. I was so not into having a kid eat on me. ick.
So I just want to say I know exactly how you feel!
Honestly, I think you might look into trying. The benefits to your baby are substantial!! It isn't just about bonding with the baby, which I'm sure you can do fine without BFing.
I want to BF. I'm not sure I will be able to for long though. The women in my family have struggled with the ability to produce enough milk and the pain involved (this has gone on for at least 3 generations). I'll try to though.
I haven't had a chance to read through all of your replies yet. I bf our 1st for 18 months. It was the most amazing experience. I'm currently still bfing our 2nd and she is 11 months. We started to supplement her at 8 months because she was the worst bf... she bites, she scratches and rips at the boob. I would spend 6 hours each night feeding her in a dark room from 6pm until midnight. It almost drove me crazy! She sucks at sleeping and I am the only one who can comfort her - I should say that my boob is the only thing that can comfort her! I now only nurse her before bed and sometimes through the night. I hate the guilt that comes with breast feeding. You are the only one who can make that choice.
One of the biggest benefits of not breastfeeding? Your partner can take a bigger role in the beginning stages by feeding them. Our 11 month old almost drove me crazy with her booby neediness. I've barely slept in 11 months! BUT our 1st little one was awesome at it.
Have you thought of express bottle feeding? (pumping and giving it to your lo in bottles?) I may be doing that for #3 if he/she turns out to be like #2!
I would at least research it. You won't find any negative things about breastfeeding - not one. Its better for your baby in every way possible.
I gave both of my kids formula, too... DD got formula when she was 3 days old because I was exhausted, couldn't get anything from pumping and it hurt. After that first bottle, she latched on easily and painlessly and we had a great breastfeeding relationship. The second time around was much easier because I already knew what I was doing.
I'm anxiously awaiting the day that I can nurse again and really sad that I know it will be even longer than we originally hoped for.
There really are only positive things to say about breastfeeding and I think everyone should at least TRY it... obviously if you underproduce or aren't getting enough pumping while working, you formula feed. The end result is just getting your baby nutrients any which way you do it. But why not try the free, all natural way first?
There are lots of pros to formula feeding. Don't feel pressured. Try it, don't try it, whatever. It is your body and your baby, and whatever you pick will be fine.
I had issues BF'ing DS (had an undiagnosed thyroid issue that accounted for very low milk production). I ended up FF'ing and giving a couple of pumped bottles until DS was 3 months old and then I went to formula full time. With this one, I will try nursing again but if it doesn't happen or it becomes too hard (I'll be working full time instead of part time like I was with DS), I will not hesitate to switch to formula.
I'm definitely pro BF, but I know it's not for everyone. I also know that some women put too much pressure on themselves and when it doesn't work out they feel like a huge failure, and they shouldn't. DS had a lot of medical issues when he was born, and was unable to directly BF. I was lucky and was able to pump for him for 11 months (and this included a lot of other lucky things like having an easy baby, being home with him, having huge support from DH and family, and having a good supply). I was glad I was able to do this (although I did supplement with formula when I had supply issues towards the end), but if someone didn't want to spend all day every day pumping I would never blame them! It's not that fun.
GL.
how long does the average person do it? whats the "norm"?
I don't think there really is a norm, DD weaned at 13months when I had my m/c but I think that if you can make it around a year then that is most people's goal because then you can switch directly to cows milk, if you wean prior to a year most pedi's will recommend you going to formula and then switching to milk later. For me I set small goals, first it was 6 weeks and then it was 6 months and then from there I just was going to go until she self weaned. I'm glad she weaned when she did and would have probably started pushing the weaning if she hadn't weaned on her own.
I couldn't be more pro-breastfeeding, so I'll try not to sound too preachy. I am not scared to say that I think formula feeding should be reserved for those cases where breastfeeding is just not possible. There are some women who simply never get an adquate milk supply - they should switch to formula. There are babies with legitimate latch issues - I can see switching to formula in that case, although exclusive pumping should be tried first. There are women that need to be on medications to preserve their own health that are dangerous if passed on in milk - by all means they should switch to formula.
But, simply put, breast milk is THE BEST food for your baby. Why wouldn't you try to provide it? I do think less of a mother who chooses formula solely because of perceived convenience "gee, I don't want to be tied down" "I'm hoping not to have to feed my baby every two hours" - I'm sorry, but reasons like that make me question why you're having a child in the first place.
However, like I said, there are legit reasons out there for some people where breastfeeding simply doesn't work. For those women, I'm glad we have high quality formula in this country (what happened with formula in China was so tragic), and I don't think those women should feel guilty or beat themselves up about not being able to. I think it's something every woman should try. It's best for the baby and it's best for the Mom too. Breastfeeding has been linked to lower rates of certain cancers in the Mom and WOW, it really worked for weight loss for me!
I said I wasn't going to be preachy, but I came off really preachy - I just can't help it I guess. People that choose to formula feed for purely selfish reasons really grind my gears (as Peter on Family Guy would say) :-).
I am, but It is totally a personal decision...I don't think anyone should look down on you for your choice. However I was pretty sure I didn't want to breastfeed my twins, I tried It and LOVED It...I can't even begin to tell you how good It feels, there is nothing like It. I was quite depressed when I had to stop. I am so looking forward to breastfeeding a singleton!!!!
Maybe just give It a try...It's not for everyone but you might regret not giving It a go.
I think it's a personal decision for each mother. That being said, I was always planning to BF, when DD came 9 weeks early and we barely even were able to hold her for more than 30 minute streches 2x/day....when I was finally allowed to put her to breast, it felt like the only *normal* thing I was doing as a mother to connect with my child. It also is very much encouraged if you have a preemie, bc it gives them a better chance at survival....you may change your mind several times and you may be put into a situation that makes your mind up for you (I'm not saying you are going to have a preemie)...so just keep your options open.
Ditto. There isn't really a norm, but the AAP recommends 1 year and the WHO recommends 2 years. Some women quit when they go back to work, some at six months, some at a year, and some are extended nursers. It just depends. Every bit is beneficial.
DD weaned at 18 months.