why do people bottle feed?

[stitch]

first of all, i dont want this to become a slanging match. i am honestly curious about the reasons.
im asking about those women who do not even try breastfeeding. the ones who think that it is an equal choice between breast and formula. i dont want to judge anyone, i just want to know how these women can justify denying their babies species specific milk.
my eldest was mainly bottlefed, my younger two were exclusively breastfed till they were weaned. and moved to formula around the eight month mark.

[expatinscotland]

I bottle fed b/c I was extremely sick and weak after giving birth - postpartum infection requiring IV antibiotics, anaemia, and PND requiring powerful medication. I tried it, but it was just too painful to carry on, especially in combination with my other health concerns.

I'm still traumatised at how badly I was made to feel by other people and mums for not b/fing to the point where I'm not going to even bother trying next time. I learned the hard way NEVER to assume ANYTHING about why a person isn't doing XYZ. It was bad enough feeling suicidal w/o hearing suggestions that I was somehow not doing the best I could for my baby by bottle feeding her.

[vict17]

but expat you tried it - I think Stitch is asking about people who don't try it at all, just make the decision to bottle feed from the start

[NomDePlume]

"i dont want this to become a slanging match"

"i just want to know how these women can justify denying their babies species specific milk"

stitch, whilst an arguement may not be your intention, you words are a little inflammatory.

[expatinscotland]

Vict, next time I'm not even going to try. I'm terrified of it now.

[JoolsToo]

I don't have to justify anything - I made my choice, I bottlefed - result - 3 healthy, law abiding, sensible adult children. Happy with my choice, happy with the result.

[vict17]

Expat - I'm the same, I had real problems 1st time round, lasted til 5 weeks. Next time I think I'd try but mostly from pressure, really I'd like to have the courage to go straight to bottles

[stitch]

how horrible. im so sorry you were made to feel that way expat.
i bottlefed my ds1 as i was in a terrible state after the delivery what with the preeclampsia, his terrible jaundice, my weakness, etc etc.. i managed to breasstfeed my younger two though,had good support after they were born and didnt have the same health problems.
but i am curious about the women who dont even want to, not the ones who cant, iyswim

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[colditzmum]

Bluntly, the thought of letting my baby suck my nipples made me feel physically sick. I don't think breastfeeding is disgusting or wrong in any way, but that was my personal feeling.

Is that the answer you wanted?

[PiccadillyCircus]

I don't think I actually care that much about how other people feed their children.

Why would it be my business anyway?

[crunchie]

I did BF, but from my experience when I had dd2 the women who didn't BF chose not to because of the uggh factor (as I call it). A lot of women just don't want to contemplate BF as they find the thought of it yuk. A lot of these women are supported by their mothers who were in the first real generation of bottle feeders. Also I think (and research certainly suggests this) that younger mothers TEND not to BF. Again I think a lot has to do with lack of knowledge and lack of support from partners.

I know there are a lot of people who don't bf for other reasons and I don't have a problem with it one way or the other. It is a shame that women feel yuk over a natural thing though

[vict17]

For what's it's worth HappyMum I didn't read Stitch's post in a negative way - just genuinely interested, she doesn't have you to justify your parenting decisons at all

[vict17]

sorry should read she doesn't ask you!!!

[snafu]

Speaking as someone who breastfed ds for well over a year and, all things being equal, will breastfeed any future babies, I would really like to know why bottlefeeding mothers being asked yet again to justify their personal choices?

[expatinscotland]

I'm not going to bother next time, Vict. I still remember the incredible pain I felt everytime my daughter clamped onto the nipple - it was like s/one was ripping it off. Together w/awful post contractions.

No way! Will be coming to hospital w/formula packed. Better my next child have a mum who is in a good frame of mind; not waiting for post-traumatic stress disorder to set in.

[stitch]

jools, id appreciate it if youcould explain your reasons tome. as you said, you dont have to, but i am interested.
nom, existence can be inflammatory. i am asking for information about something i dont understand. i am not judging anyone or making anyone feel guilty, merely trying to satisfy my curiosity.

[JoolsToo]

and what does 'these women' mean?

[NomDePlume]

Of course she does, vict !
"i just want to know how these women can justify denying their babies species specific milk"

[vict17]

perhaps I just naively assume the best in people

[Gwenick]

have to say I agree with Happymum - the inital comment does come over as rather judgemental!

[JoolsToo]

you tell me what exactly it is I have denied them?

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[stitch]

thankyou colditz, that was the sort of answere i was looking for.
expat, your logic is sound.
and since i have not really asked about this before, i dont see why i cant ask about it now. mumsnet is about sharing info, and thats what im asking for
jools, i am asking a group of women that i am not a part of, hence the phrasing. if you thinkit innappropriate, my apologies for the sentence structure

[Gwenick]

JT - you've denied them the chance to have a 'smug mum' who can claim triumphantly that she BF all her children

PS I'm joking - I BF my first and bottlefed my 2nd,

[stitch]

species specific is aterm we used when in university. its a bit like a doctor using the term digit to refer to a finger.
why does everyone become so militant. i asked a question, colditz answered it. end of story.