breastfeed or not to breastfeed

[weelamb123]

Hi, I'm almost 7 weeks pregnant with DC2. I didn't breastfeed my first as it wasn't right for me and i made that clear to the midwifes from the start and they didn't seem to pressure me. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to breastfeed this one either but worried I'll be pressured into it.......any advice? ??

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

Ignore, ignore ignore . Although I don't actually recall any midwives asking me how I intended to feed my baby.

[MrsSpencerReid]

I was pressured into bottle feeding!!guess it will depend a bit on the mw/hosp policy, good luck with the pregnancy

[loudarts]

It's up to you how you feed. Your lucky you didn't get any pressure to breastfeed tho. When I had my first I chose not to but the midwife repeatedly tried to make me breastfeed her .

[Jeffery]

Why don't you give it a try... You might enjoy it. You little one certainly will. Do lots of research, arm yourself with all the facts and do what you want for your baby.

[Micah]

I got a lot of pressure to bottle feed too.

I don't know your reasons for not wanting to breastfeed, but do what Jeffrey says and do your research and arm yourself with knowledge.

If you have a definite reason you can give, and say you've thought it through properly, it'll get anyone insisting off your back quicker than vague ideas..

[Gemz1806]

I didn't breastfeed my first and don't plan to breastfeed this one either and one thing I will say is the midwifes are a lot less intense this time. Not just about this but most things. They trust my judgment more this time. They don't constantly have arms and books full of info. Don't get me wrong they have been amazing, just abit more realistic. I would just do what you did last time and make it clear. They should hopefully respond the same. xx

[Swanny84]

I always think it's a personal choice, I breastfeed first, couldn't second after day three as milk didn't come in and she was starving :( with this one I've had a "debate" with partner as I want to try he'd prefer we bottle fed to save stress if didn't work.
But, if you wanted to try it and only if (this is what I told partner in my defence) you have to try from word go as milk will dry up, whereas if you try and it's not for you, bottles aren't going anywhere so no time restriction. My sister was adamant it wasn't for her, watched me with my first, had a daughter (second child) 2 years later, said she wanted to try it out of curiosity and done it for 6 months, said she loved it, was easier etc.
I will be trying again just going to tell my midwife my worries about milk and see what she suggests. They weren't pushy with me last time but one did tell me on day 3 with 2nd I needed to choose breast or formula as I topped her up with formula early hours as was starving. Said you can't do this, I knew you could but confidence wasn't there to argue back. Good luck whatever you decide. xx

[sleepdodger]

They just asked me if I'd decided how I wanted to feed and let me get on with it
Tbh I hadn't any ideas on what I must do, but thought I'd give bf a go to save money- at £10 tub or more for premix my stat mat pay didn't go far!

[ColdTeaAgain]

Do your own research, weigh up all the pros and cons of both ways. That way if you do feel like the midwife is lecturing you, you can show her you are well informed.

Howevere, I think it's a shame not to at least give breastfeeding a go unless there is a very serious reason why you feel you can't of course.

I hated the first few weeks of breastfeeding but when we turned the corner it was wonderful.