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 know it’s easy for me to say, but do not worry about the judgement of others dallimore. They are often projecting. If you do decide not to breastfeed, just a bright and breezy ‘bottles’ when the midwife or HV ask will do. Be firm and polite. You will be mum (assuming this is what you want in the future) and you know what works for you. FWIW, I always had lovely MW & HV who understood why I didn’t want to BF abs were very supportive. They do exist I promise!

This is exactly how I felt.

My boys were both bottle fed i never felt judged, they do ask you how you wish to feed , they dont gve any any advice about bottle feedikng ,but tbh they were pretty shit at supporting me when Ds1 was a new born and i was prepared to give breast feeding ago ,and there was zero support
However you choise to feed your baby is entirely up to you.

How's that a slippery path? Of course he's going to get all his needs met. It's so important to. If a child doesn't get all their needs met then they're going to be very unhappy! I've not been smug at all. Just cause I've used the smiley emoji people are assuming I'm being smug 🙄

I'm obviously going to say no when it's needed but if it's for comfort/feed over all health and well being his needs will be met.

You didn't answer my question.

Thankfully it's not your job to gatekeep whether other women's reasons for not breastfeeding are good enough that you don't think they're "selfish".

So choosing to work, not work. not reading to them every night, not feeding 5 organic fruit and veg every day, not banning screens, not ensuring there is access to adequate exercise every day……are all for selfish reasons.

Good luck!

Boobie 😂

I just love the argument of breast is best. When in reality after the milk stage is over their little breastfed prodigy is being stuffed full of sugar and "organic" kids snacks.

Feed your baby however you want. Don't preach to anyone else. Don't be smug. Try not to be a twat 👍🏻

Why does a toddler seeking a natural comfort from his mother rather than an artificial product make him a little shit?

You are aware of breastfeeding manners, yes?

People can make whatever decisions they want. They will always be judged on them no matter what choice they make; that is something we have to accept as adults.

But if you’re going to deliberately choose not to do something you are able to that is best for your child simply for your own reasons then yes, you are being selfish.

We are all entitled to be as selfish as we wish, so that is fine, but it should be recognised and acknowledged with our own self awareness.

@YellowTreeHouse believe me, I'm judging and you are not coming out too well.

Judge away. Makes no difference to me 🤷‍♀️

Because I wanted to and wanted my husband involved in all aspects. Happy, healthy children who slept well from a young age and show no signs of any poor outcomes from being bottle fed. Anecdotally, amongst my friendship group, those who breastfed had trouble with babies sleeping, being unable to leave them with other people for short periods of time, allergies and complaints of having little support from their husbands. But guess what, that’s their business and their choice for their child. As long as a child is fed, does it matter how?

I wish my judging you did make a difference to your thought process @YellowTreeHouse. your stance is so intractable and aggressive, you really don't seem to understand that using the words you are choosing may cause such harm, there are many women who for many many reasons have to choose not to breastfeed even though they may be 'able' to. Not all choices are made for 'selfish' reasons.

Both my children had severe allergies and was on neocate in order to thrive. Excluding all the food groups that would have been requires in order to bf them is not something I was willing to do. My mental health was bad enough.

This is such a simplistic view of often complex issues though.

Sleep and convenience. 10/10 would recommend.

Aye and when they get to 16 and your precious little first born is necking monster energy drinks nonone cares wether they were breast or bottle fed !

I remember it all so vividly. I was so close to taking my own life because of it all. I have never forgiven the health visitors or the midwives who made me feel that way. Ever.

You are aware that regardless of what the child eats or drinks later in life, that doesn’t negate the enormous health benefits for both mum and said child right?

So do breast fed babies have better manners? 😂

I didn't want to. The thought made me cringe. And for the life of me I couldn't work out what on earth difference in either the long or short term these 'health benefits' associated with BF actually made. Still can't. I mean, I am sure that BF is 'good' for babies - but on the other hand FF doesn't do any 'harm' - so feed in whatever way suits you best.

No

I know right. Stupid thing to say.

This was my experience too.

Also there is an assumption among most who like to get involved in this debate that breast or bottle are even options. Some babies do not want to feed, and it's "lets get milk down them any old how" - so maybe breast, bottle, spoon, cup, even your finger!

I have no idea why this is such a debate anyway. Yes breast milk is configured for human babies. But the emphasis on babies. They've got the rest of their lives to eat and drink and the choices made for, and by, them later on are a lot more important.