Why would you choose to bottle feed?

[Sleeepdeprived]

I don’t mean to offend, I’m genuinely curious. I’ve recently had a baby and really tried hard to breastfeed but it just didn’t work for us (latch and supply issues, very unsettled baby, subsequent medication etc)

I really wish breastfeeding was successful for us, not only because it’s nutritionally superior for the baby, but there are also health benefits for the mum, and l if successful at breastfeeding it’s so much easier to latch baby on than to faff with making up formula and sterilising bottles etc.

So this isn’t directed at mums who tried to breastfeed and it didn’t work out so moved to formula, or mums who chose to combi feed because I understand the benefits of that. But for mums / parents who chose to bottle feed before even attempting to breastfeed - why?

Absolutely no judgment here - just curious.

I say this as a breastfeeding Mum-Because they want to! That's all the info you need.

‘No judgement here’ 😂😂

🍿

Is it really that difficult for you to work out the many varied reasons a woman may not want to breastfeed? Good Lord.

Just here to say I love breastfeeding and wouldn't have it any other way ❤ The bond is special

Because I didn’t want to. Nobody else’s business.

Your post is judgemental as fuck.

Because it makes me feel irrationally angry and a bit queasy.

Oh it’s not judgemental susan, because she wrote ‘no judgement here’. She’s just curious, honest 🙄

Here have a packet of these

I wasn’t bothered about breastfeeding, I cannot for the life of me understand why some women get so worked up about it, and feel terrible guilt if it doesn’t work out.
She had the colostrum from me then I combi fed for a week then just used formula. I found bottle feeding really easy and she slept for long periods at night from early on.

I chose to bottle feed all my babies. Never wanted to breast feed. The thought of a baby on my nipple just makes me cringe. I hate the thought of it. Simple as that. Can’t tell you why.. but I never wanted to even try it. I have no problem with mums who breastfeed, all my friends did with their babies and seeing them do it doesn’t bother me whatsoever, but it just wasn’t for me. I don’t find the bottles a faff to be honest either.

I am "just curious" about why anyone would ask this question, unless they were completely devoid of imagination and/or empathy (I say this in a completely non-judgy way, of course).

I felt exactly the same as biscuits post above!

Its not down to to the feeding how well they sleep. Mines breastfed and slept through the night since 10/11 weeks. Its down to the baby. Some love sleep some don't

Because i was too self conscious to feed in front of others. And yes I know they say its best. But my MH had previously been very fragile and had spent years weaning off meds. So the risk of my anxiety anxiety rising due to how conscious i was, wasnt worth the risk. My babies needed me to have good MH.

All bottle fed. All healthy. No health issues. All good growth.

I didn't want to. As a first time mum I was already putting myself through a lot appreciate the ease my partner can help with feeds.

I am choosing to bottle feed my second because I prefer being able to see how much they're having and not feel like I have to always be in baby's vicinity to supply food.

The thought of breast feeding made me feel a bit sick if I’m really honest. I was really happy to bottle feed. Never felt an inclination to breast feed. I had home births, everything else was very natural. I’ve raised them as veggie ( though they’ve made their own choices about this as they’ve got older).
I feel so sad for women who feel pressure to feed in a way they don’t feel comfortable with.
I don’t think my choice has made a jot of difference to my kids. I don’t get the obsession over it TBH.

Mine all also did 6 - 8 hours at night from a round a week old on bottle and from 8 weeks 7pm till 8am ish.

I just didn't want to. I wanted to share the parenting equally with my husband, I wanted to be able to sleep at night and let him get up with the baby. I didn't want a child attached to me constantly. Selfish reasons, but there you go. My child is now nearly 4 and perfectly healthy, so no regrets. I'm pregnant again and have no interest in breast feeding this baby.

Mmm I love the way you "curiously" listed all the benefits of breastfeeding, I'm so glad you're not judging!!

I combi fed because my ds was very premature, I was told the hospital needed to know exactly how much milk he was taking so it was expressed milk in a bottle or stay in hospital for two more weeks.
Expressed milk eventually turned into formula because it was much harder to meet demand when expressing.

Everybody has their own story, no judgement needed on either side.

Because the whole idea of it absolutely repulsed me. I have sensory issues and simply would not have been able to do it. I already knew I would bottle feed even before I got pregnant. Is that a simple enough explanation for you?

And before you say 'That's not natural', oh yes it is. It happens in nature. You do get mammals that refuse to allow their offspring to suckle, although of course in the wild, those baby creatures would die. For instance, my farmer friend had a cow that wouldn't let her first calf anywhere near her udder, and it had to be bottle fed.

At least with us humans, we can feed our babies however we choose.

When I had my child (1970) I had six weeks maternity leave. Breast feeding wasn't an option.

The obsession over breastfeeding? Anyone who doesn't do it will never know how amazing it is and how it feels. But I'm not against people who don't. Just my opinion. Best thing I've ever done.

I don't fancy breastfeeding and can imagine I will feel uncomfortable and grossed out. I'll give it a try but it makes me shudder thinking about me doing it.
Maybe I'll have a try then go straight to bottle feeding.