s/o teen mom

AMYfromKY · February 2010

Why do you think they all use formula? Do you think it's their age?

Obviously there is nothing wrong with FFing, but it is the more expensive option and you'd think they would want to budget. When I think back if I would've had Henry at 16 I know I wouldn't have BFed.

sammiekc · February 2010

I didn't even notice this. It could have been their age. Maybe they just weren't comfortable breastfeeding.

jhernanjm00 · February 2010

I'm sure they all qualify for WIC programs. I think a lot of young moms are afraid of the pain felt with breastfeeding in the beginning, and most probably feel that formula is easier.

AMYfromKY · February 2010

sammiekc:
I didn't even notice this. It could have been their age. Maybe they just weren't comfortable breastfeeding.

That's what I'm wondering. When I was 16 appearances were huge for me (obviously not all 16 year olds are like that) and I know I wouldn't have dealt with the saggy boobs I endure now. Also, I probably wouldn't have felt as comfortable doing it in front of people like I do now.

Amber5103 · February 2010

I don't know, maybe they believe all the myths about saggy boobs! I watched True Life yesterday about giving up baby for adoption. There was a 19yo mom who bf and had an open adoption, she pumped and visited every 2 weeks and brought the milk with her! I thought that was amazing, the story really touched me and I wish Caitlyn and Tyler were able to see Carly that much!

moonfaerie · February 2010

Maybe some of them pump when the cameras aren't there? Or maybe cuz their babies are older than ours, and they didn't BF long. Sophia is like 9 months and the other two had their first birthdays already.

My crappy boobs dried up after only 2 1/2 months.

AMYfromKY · February 2010

Amber5103:
I don't know, maybe they believe all the myths about saggy boobs! I watched True Life yesterday about giving up baby for adoption. There was a 19yo mom who bf and had an open adoption, she pumped and visited every 2 weeks and brought the milk with her! I thought that was amazing, the story really touched me and I wish Caitlyn and Tyler were able to see Carly that much!

That is amazing. I just got all tingly! haha

SusieQ1982 · February 2010

I'm pretty sure they all FF from the beginning from what we saw on TV. I read somewhere that the younger you are, the more likely you are to use formula. I think it might be the appearances thing.

I would love to BF, if for no other reason than the cost of formula! We go through a case of concentrate in a week and it's $44!

Rachel2315 · February 2010

SusieQ1982:
I'm pretty sure they all FF from the beginning from what we saw on TV. I read somewhere that the younger you are, the more likely you are to use formula. I think it might be the appearances thing.
I would love to BF, if for no other reason than the cost of formula! We go through a case of concentrate in a week and it's $44!

That might be true to a point, but when I interned at the hospital on the L&D floor a lot of young moms were into BFing - it seems like BFing is making sort of a comeback.

My guess is that being a teen mom is pretty hard and maybe they didn't want to add BFing to the mix. Plus, they all live/see their parents quite a bit (except Amber) and that generation seemed more likely to FF.

sammiekc · February 2010

Sometimes I wish that I had kept on breastfeeding but I just could not handle the pain in the beginning.

moonfaerie · February 2010

SusieQ1982:

I would love to BF, if for no other reason than the cost of formula! We go through a case of concentrate in a week and it's $44!

I know! I hope I am more successful at BFing the next time around. L had latch issues plus I have PCOS which causes low supply so once I went back to work, I dried up instantly. We spent a ton on formula before I realized BJs sells their brand.

sunnydays99 · February 2010

This was actually addressed on the 16 and pregnant reunion show. Most of them said that they tried it for like a week and it was too hard. The others said that they just didn't want to.

It kind of annoyed me b/c Dr. Drew just agreed that it is really hard and said that it's really painful too - way to discourage people on breastfeeding. I mean, I agree it is hard and can be painful but it can also be very rewarding and I wish the other side had been presented.

sarahbethrn · February 2010

I remember on 16 and Pregnant, Farrah's eppisode, her OB asked her if she planned to breastfeed and she said absolutley not because she was too young for saggy boobs. Her OB tried to explain that the pregnancy would cause her boobs to sag, but I think her mind was probably already made up at that point.

metta1313 · February 2010

jhernanjm00:
I'm sure they all qualify for WIC programs. I think a lot of young moms are afraid of the pain felt with breastfeeding in the beginning, and most probably feel that formula is easier.

I was thinking this too. I work at an alternative high school and it seems that just about all the teenage moms FF. When I was pregnant, one girl asked if I had signed up for WIC yet. (Poor girl thinks every pregnant woman has it....that's just the way her life is.) WIC covers formula for them.

thequeeenbee · February 2010

I think a lot of it just has to do with not being comfortable with the idea of BF'ing at that age. SIL had her DS at 17 and didn't even try breastfeeding. She was just uncomfortable with it. I don't blame them.

ETA: She also knew she would be back in high school in a month and knew it was just be added pressure. The school offers to give "pumping time" to teenage moms...but what high school senior would want to take time out to go pump from class?

MattysGirl81 · February 2010

They talked about it during the first Dr. Drew chat after 16& pg ended. Several of them tried, but said it was too painful. The others didn't even try. I also found this strange, since money is clearly an issue with all of them (except maybe Farrah).