To not want to breast feed?

[LouBlue1507]

I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant and have decided I'm going to bottle feed my baby.

I know breast is best but the thought of breast feeding really grosses me out and makes me feel sick. It's not something I will feel comfortable doing either.

Not only that but I don't want my baby stuck on my chest all the time.

Before I get flamed, I have nothing against women who choose to breastfeed, I have no problem seeing it, Just the thought of me doing it myself grosses me out.

Are there any other mums to be that feel the same or similar? x

Murphy obviously if there are medical reasons or even if someone just doesn't want to then don't but it still doesn't change the fact that breast milk is still the best thing for the baby.

I find it sad that others care enough to have feelings about it.

But it matters. Unfortunately many women who want to breastfeed encounter negative attitudes about it and are put off it as a result. I have strong feelings about it because I have seen this first hand.

I ff all of mine from birth for similar reasons. Was all set for pressure from midwives etc but to their credit they respected my decision.

Yanbu to do what you want with your body. But it really can't be denied that unusual circumstances excluded, breastmilk is beat for babies.

DOES it matter though? Does it? Once you take away all the pseudoscience and misinterpreted studies, and all the studies that aren't statistically significant, are the PROVEB health outcomes for breastfed babies THAT much better than formula fed babies?

(I think you'll find the answer is no).

PROVEN, not PROVEB

Everyone is entitled to make their own decision about how they'll feed their baby and I think the old saying about not judging someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes is probably worth keeping in mind.

That said, I really don't understand why some people find it necessary to justify their feeding decisions by saying there's no difference between BF and FF. There is so much evidence that BF has health benefits for both baby and mum which FF does not have. If someone chooses to FF that's absolutely their choice, but why is it necessary to justify that decision by denying that the well-documented benefits of BF exist?

Wanna I appreciate what you are saying but for all the reasons I said it would not be BEST.

So depending on circumstances breast is best,

OP just to add I don't agree with people calling you immature - "gross" may not have been the best choice of words, but the thought of BF mine made my stomach churn, I hate my nipples being touched, to the point that it makes me angry so I can see where you're coming from.

Future, I thought the advice was not to make bottles that won't be used within two hours now?

Don't get me wrong I know there's millions of babies that have come to no harm the old method, there are ways around it (having a bottle of cooled boiled water to make up with part boiled water and premeasured powder, machines, ready made etc), but honestly imoe of worrying about everything in the first few weeks it really was harder than powering through with BF.

Yes it does matter actually when women are made to feel that something completely natural is "gross".

Cornette you wash and sterilise bottles have boiled water in them , leave in a cupboard and when ready to feed you put formula in.

Very simple , my formula can be made up and put in fridge for 24 hours prior to use.

You say you can't help how you feel but have you actually tried? I think it's worth exploring these feelings, talk to your HV, midwife or GP, they might be able to help you unpack these feelings and work through them.

Haven't read past the first few pages but just want to say the sensation of bf is nothing like any other, so what you expect it to feel like is unlikely to be the reality. Sounds like you may not be completely closed to the idea though. Good luck!

YANBU, your baby and your choice. Neither way is easy though.

But I agree, YABU about regarding you finding it gross. That sounds like a phobia which is defined as an unreasonable fear. If you feel that way it's understandable you don't want to BF but if you were my friend I would recommend you working a little on trying to get past that.

The main reason I want to BF is while I know its hard I would absolutely hate to have to measure and make up bottles all the time. I'd also worry about going out and how long it's okay to keep bottles at a certain temperature. But if it doesn't work out then that's OK. And if you can't get over the grossness then obviously it will be distressing for you to BF so that's OK too.

bumwad attitudes like yours are what's disgusting.

I think you need to grow up

As do you, bumwad

DOES it matter though? Does it? Once you take away all the pseudoscience and misinterpreted studies, and all the studies that aren't statistically significant, are the PROVEB health outcomes for breastfed babies THAT much better than formula fed babies?

(I think you'll find the answer is no).

The answer is yes. Here's a link to a WHO publication on BF. Starting on page four is a summary of the evidence showing that exclusive BF for six months has lasting health benefits for baby and mum. The information is based on studies published in reputable scientific journals and is fully referenced. This is not "pseudoscience", it clear, properly researched evidence that BF has health benefits which FF does not.

apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44117/1/9789241597494_eng.pdf?ua=1&ua=1

I felt the same as you OP, I knew I didn't want to try, the midwives, health visitors, friends, family, DH and most importantly Baby DS were all absolutely fine with that. I certainly didn't change my mind once he was born and I have never regretted formula feeding from day 1. Feed however you want to and don't feel there's a right/wrong/better etc way. Good luck.

I genuinely don't understand why people feel like breastfeeding is a massive commitment. It really isn't. Surely it's more faff to fanny about sterilising bottles in the middle of the night

it really frickin is. especially when it doesn't work out. I barely ate fir three weeks as if I wasn't feeding I was expressing to try and increase my pathetic supply which wouldn't have kept a spider satisfied. it took hours amd hours to follow all the advice given mot to entire costing a bloody fortune I'm trips to clinics just to be told I was doing everything right. then why wasn't ot working

result- major cabin.fever, desperate for sone fucking food , chewed up bleeding nipples amd a baby who still needed full bottles of formula after being fed for two hours solidly.

FUCK not being a comittment. it took over

My attitude that mother should attempt to try what is best for baby?

Yea ok my attitude sucks then.

Read more of the thread. I find it really sad that so many are 'grossed' out by breastfeeding. Is it British culture?

I do think it is partly bum.