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.

You chose not to do it for you.

However, the vast majority of women who choose to bottlefed when they can breastfeed or didn’t even bother trying are not doing so because of complex, rare situations like yours.

They’re doing so for their own selfish reasons.

Its not selfish.. Breast feeding simply isn’t worth the misery it inflicts on many.

As I said there are a gazillion parenting choices each unique to a parents own situation. Breast feeding is but one pretty minor one. I’m
a mum of teens, trust me when I say breast feeding wrath and frothing is just laughable in the scheme of things.

Well, the OP’s non-judgy post has certainly brought out a lot of very judgy views from other posters, hasn’t it? Good job, OP. You post and run away and leave a mess behind you.

What happened to women supporting other women? All choices which leave babies fed and cared for are equally valid.

Make the right choice for you, and don’t poke your nose into anyone else’s.

Ah so you will also be the perfect parent too. The naivety of a first time parent of a baby. 🤣 Good luck to you.

Never said I'm perfect. And I don't expect it to be easy. You don't know me. Just saying he can have my boobie as much as he wants. It doesn't bother me. Why would my child annoy me if that's what he wants. Wether to eat or for comfort. He will always get his needs met. I'm allowed to be proud.

Why do you care how other mothers feed their babies?
This subject has been done to death and peoole always say they are not judging when they absolutley are
8n ten years time you wont care nobody can tell the difference between a bottle fed/ breast fed child at that age

Damn straight, and more power to them I say.

Emma I think you need to take a step back and stop calling people ‘Karens’ for a start. It’s not good for your MH to get so wound up about other peoples perfectly legitimate life choices. You have me in mind of those people that leave really angry uncalled for hotel reviews, full of rage and bile and for no particular reason 👀

Thanks for wishing me good luck. Don't need it 👍 I'll be the best mother I can be for my son. He's my world.

I called one person Karen. Wow. Not getting wound up. No need for people to be arsey. I'm not like that at all. Again no need to judge.

I think we all feel that way emmamoo89. A person doesn’t love their child more because they breastfeed. They aren’t a better parent because they breastfeed. A good parent is someone that loves and nurtures their child, that shows them the way in the life, cuddles them, gives them affection but also boundaries, teaches them about respect, helps them to understand that resorting to insults and abuse when they don’t agree with a perfectly legitimate decision is bizarre and shows a certain amount of limited intelligence. That sort of thing.

I breastfed the first for a couple of months, but then had to have medication because the botched episiotomy and tear wouldn’t heal on its own and I didn’t think it would be helpful for my baby to have me in hospital for a repair, which was going to be the alternative if it didn’t heal.

I started to breastfeed the second, the HV came and weighed her, as they do, and she kept on losing weight. They said to try combi, so I did, but it became impossible. The baby tried hard, but the supply wasn’t there and she’d fall asleep and wake up minutes later hungry again. Difficult with a two year old running around as well.

So that’s why. I would have if I could have.

Do you realise that using karen as an insult means you automatically lose the argument by default? As sarcasm can be deemed the lowest form of wit, ‘Karening’ may also be deemed the lowest form of insult, it’s really quite rubbish and not especially well thought out.

I honestly don't care. I'm done arguing with strangers on the Internet. Who like to judge when they don't know you. I don't need to justify myself. I know who I am as a person, thats all that matters.

I will add I'm not against bottlefeeding. If people can't breastfeed that is fair enough. I will continue to be proud of my journey tho.

I'm done arguing with strangers on the Internet. Who like to judge when they don't know you.

Oh, the irony.

I'm not saying that bottle feeding doesn't have the same bond/love and affection. Just giving my opinion. People are way too judgey.
I've not abused or insulted anyone. Apart from calling one user Karen. Could be worse.

I think thats best @Emmamoo89 , you have made yourself look really rather silly.

Surely the irony of you referring to others as ‘judgy’ is not lost on you emmamoo89?

If you say so 🙄. But I've done nothing wrong. People can be awful and childish on here

I rest my case

"He will always get his needs met".

Careful there. That is a slippery path. Are you going to say no sometimes?

Be proud if you wish but the smugness does you no favours.

The irony ....

My 9 month old screams if I even take my hand off him. He is bottle fed. Lovely, strong bond there. 😂

I bottle fed due to a traumatic birth and a lack of latching on for the first. My second was more calmer but still wouldn't latch. He is an absolute milk guzzler so I don't know what happened there. I felt much better mentally bottle feeding.

Absolutely.

I'm so glad to see you and other posters that feel the same as me. I've always known I don't want to breastfeed but I've been so worried about how I would be judged for making that decision