I have never planned to breastfeed, as it makes me uncomfortable too. I really can't even understand why, it just does. I also struggle with severe anxiety and think it would be best for me and baby if I get back on my meds ASAP when she's born. My doctor said I could not breastfeed on this specific medication. DH is behind my decision 100%.
I am finding though, that most people just assume I will BF and I haven't had the guts to correct them, because I feel SO judged. I kind of planned to just let people assume it didn't work for us so we had to resort to formula. Now, I'm thinking WHO CARES. My baby, my choices. Then, I get admitted to L&D last week for contractions and decreased fetal movement, and the nurse is asking me all the general questions. "Do you plan to breastfeed?" comes up and I quickly say no. My husband and I both heard her make a sound like..hm? Then she says "Well have you considered it?" I say no again and she just stares at me. After that, she was never quite as nice! I was shocked, but I'm hoping this nurse is in the minority and I won't be made to feel guilty when I go in to deliver.
Hearing that makes me so angry. While I plan to try breastfeeding, I totally respect the decision not to. We should never be judged for that decision by anyone. In your case I totally commend you for putting your mental health as a top priority. That will be more beneficial to have mom who is present and stable and not trying to fight the hard emotional stuff just for the sake of breastfeeding. You're totally doing the right thing for your baby. Just wanted to say, good on you!
I have never planned to breastfeed, as it makes me uncomfortable too. I really can't even understand why, it just does. I also struggle with severe anxiety and think it would be best for me and baby if I get back on my meds ASAP when she's born. My doctor said I could not breastfeed on this specific medication. DH is behind my decision 100%.
I am finding though, that most people just assume I will BF and I haven't had the guts to correct them, because I feel SO judged. I kind of planned to just let people assume it didn't work for us so we had to resort to formula. Now, I'm thinking WHO CARES. My baby, my choices. Then, I get admitted to L&D last week for contractions and decreased fetal movement, and the nurse is asking me all the general questions. "Do you plan to breastfeed?" comes up and I quickly say no. My husband and I both heard her make a sound like..hm? Then she says "Well have you considered it?" I say no again and she just stares at me. After that, she was never quite as nice! I was shocked, but I'm hoping this nurse is in the minority and I won't be made to feel guilty when I go in to deliver.
When we took our childbirth class the L&D nurse said the only proper response a nurse should have to say to that is "Okay; what kind of formula would you like?"
Bottom line, your kid is going to get fed. End of story.
@southerngirlgetsfit, take care of yourself first, the last thing you want is to have postpartum symptoms amplified because you were afraid to go back on your medication. There's nothing wrong with putting your mental health first. Take what @khochanadel said to heart, there really is only 1 appropriate response to a mom opting not to BF and it's not what you were told.
For all the moms choosing to FF. Just remember, the only thing that matters is the baby gets fed and not how! Don't feel ashamed because it's the best thing for you. A mom has to be able take care of herself in order to take care of baby.
This also applies to the moms who try to BF and it doesn't work out.
I'm finding my biggest frustrating with everything I'm reading- other than the pressure- is the don't use pacifiers information. I feel like I'm getting conflicting information. I get that giving pacifiers before BFing is established can affect the latch- but at the same time I've read so many things that say giving your child a pacifier can help prevent SIDS-- so in my brain having to struggle with the latch is worth it if pacifiers help reduce SIDs risk. Thoughts from STMs?
I'm finding my biggest frustrating with everything I'm reading- other than the pressure- is the don't use pacifiers information. I feel like I'm getting conflicting information. I get that giving pacifiers before BFing is established can affect the latch- but at the same time I've read so many things that say giving your child a pacifier can help prevent SIDS-- so in my brain having to struggle with the latch is worth it if pacifiers help reduce SIDs risk. Thoughts from STMs?
This may be different for each baby, but DS naturally sucked in his sleep (which is the point of giving a pacifier to reduce SIDS risk) so not having a pacifier was never an issue. That said, even though we bf, I tried offering him a pacifier and he just never liked anything we tried.
Re: Scared of Breastfeeding
Bottom line, your kid is going to get fed. End of story.
This also applies to the moms who try to BF and it doesn't work out.