AIBU to choose not to Breastfeed?

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Pretty much that really...
The thought of Breastfeeding makes me feel a bit queezy.
I can't even stand my partner kissing/touching them, so the thought of a baby sucking them makes me physically recoil.

I have my reasons, obviously, but I feel that I'd be failing at motherhood before I even began.

Your body and baby, you decide.
As long as the baby is fed, that's all that matters.
If you want to ff then do it, don't even worry about it!

I felt exactly like you. Still felt like I had to bf, until about two weeks before giving birth, admitting to OH how I felt, and he told me he was absolutely fine with my decision. I felt so relieved when I decided there and then not to, I knew it was the right decision. Even when the midwife made a totally inappropriate comment, it didn't change my mind.

With number 2, I still felt the same, but more in control, so thought I'd give it a go at the hospital. Did so, didn't like it, felt stressed, decided not to try again.

I now have two teenagers who are healthy, clever, slim, perfectly behaved.... all the things you end up thinking your kids will be deprived of if you BF!

Your choice, there's enough to stress over. In the uk, full term baby breast vs formula likely to make fuck all difference except const and convenience (Most WHO data based on 3rd world)

I really didn't want to breastfeed. Hated the idea, didn't like my breasts or the thought of having to breastfeed in public, absolutely hated them being touched - made me feel sick. I started formula feeding but about week and a half after the birth I really regretted my decision. I managed to get my milk going again with a pump and managed to get my baby off the bottle and on to the breast with a lot of pumping and effort. I didn't have the unpleasant feelings I was worried about when I breastfed and carried on for 17 months. I feel a lot better about my breasts now as they've done something useful!

I didn't bf mine as the thought of a baby sucking on them made me shiver. I expressed instead and it worked out great.

I chose not to breastfeed my second child, formula feeding from birth. The community and hospital midwives were really supportive of me and didn't judge at all.

I've had a couple of friends who felt the same and did actually end up breastfeeding.

It's a completely different feeling for me. I've never liked anyone playing with them, but got on with breastfeeding fine.

Ive got no intention of breastfeeding and don't feel guilty. I'm not squeamish I just don't want to be on call 24/7 and I have poor mental health as it is so I need to make this manageable. Don't feel guilty

I formula fed from birth, just had no desire to breastfeed.
Intend to do it again.
I feel no guilt.

Uhm what the h...? I don't think there is anything unhealthy with formula feeding. Really. A bit expensive, a bit impractical when you are out and about with the baby but not unhealthy.

But first of all: OP please see a therapist. Maybe you can get some desensitizing exercises that will help you be more comfortable in your own body and hopefully prevent you passing this not very healthy attitude to your own body on to your children.

And secondly: no wonder so many British people have so unhealthy diets. It starts at an early age. I see that now. First it is just easier to formula feed (and apparently breastfeeding is a bit eeew) and later when the children are in school it is just so much easier to give them danone, crisps and soft drinks in the packed lunch instead of making sandwhices. And when they are hungry after school is it just so much easier to wait at the school gate with more crisps, candy or biscuits than to take them home and make them a nice afternoon tea. And then at dinner time it is just so much easier to get a take away.

Jeez. We are Scandinavians and after 4 years in UK I no longer wonder why my daughter is taller than so many of my son's friends. They are three years older than her.

It is nobody elses bussiness how your baby is fed nobody knows what is in a bottle could be breast milk could be formula milk is such a small part of motherhood the only place people judge is on the internet in real life nobody cares.

User not all children who are formula fed are fed rubbish as they grow up. What a generalisation

I feel the same as you re breasts but I'm managing to successfully breastfeed. I actually really hate it and it does make me feel queezy but I somehow still do it.

So I'd say give it a try and then don't beat yourself up if you don't like it and decide to bottle feed.

I formula fed my son from birth - never even tried breastfeeding. I was unsure before his birth and bought everything for bottle feeding just in case. The birth was traumatic and i was a complete car crash after so didn't attempt breastfeeding.

My son is very happy and very healthy at 3.5 years - never had health problems, eats and sleeps really well and is a very bright boy - not being breastfed has not adversely affected him at all.

I never felt judged for bottle feeding even though breastfeeding is very common where I live.

Your choice how you choose to feed.

The benefits of formula fed versus breastfeed are across population samples. An individual breastfed baby may not fair better against a formula fed baby - there are far too many variables. But, knowing that there are known benefits of breastfeeding for both the Mum and baby helps you make an informed choice about how you want to feed your own child.

Obviously how you, your partner and your baby interact or view your breasts is three entirely disparate things. You may find your perception of them changes with the new ability/facet to them, but you may not. You haven't failed motherhood if you've made an informed choice about how you use your own body though.

Neither of my DC were breastfed, fortunately they were born at a time when hospitals supported choice and even provided the formula. Unfortunately this means I only had a total of 12 weeks maternity leave.

They are both adults now, one is skinny the other curvy which is all genetic just like the colour of their eyes. FF doesn't always lead to a poor diet although I feel that the 2000's were more relaxed for food choices than now.

They are both generally healthy and intelligent.

*Uhm what the h...? I don't think there is anything unhealthy with formula feeding. Really. A bit expensive, a bit impractical when you are out and about with the baby but not unhealthy.

But first of all: OP please see a therapist. Maybe you can get some desensitizing exercises that will help you be more comfortable in your own body and hopefully prevent you passing this not very healthy attitude to your own body on to your children.

And sad secondly: no wonder so many British people have so unhealthy diets. It starts at an early age. I see that now. First it is just easier to formula feed (and apparently breastfeeding is a bit eeew) and later when the children are in school it is just so much easier to give them danone, crisps and soft drinks in the packed lunch instead of making sandwhices. And when they are hungry after school is it just so much easier to wait at the school gate with more crisps, candy or biscuits than to take them home and make them a nice afternoon tea. And then at dinner time it is just so much easier to get a take away.

Jeez. We are Scandinavians and after 4 years in UK I no longer wonder why my daughter is taller than so many of my son's friends. They are three years older than her.
Wow, what a thoroughly nasty post
The op doesn't need to go to therapy, why would she pass any 'attitude' onto her kids?
So now anyone who formula feeds will also feed their kids an unhealthy diet?
When bf and ff are in school you can't tell the difference
I hope you feel very good with yourself after you've got your judgemental and wrong thoughts out to nervous op.
Says a lot more about you than it does the op.

BalticUnicorn but her child is taller as she's bf! Clearly it was the bf!

User what an absolute load of shit. My ff son is one of the tallest in his class because, you know genetics! He prefers cucumber sticks to chips. Apples to sweets (although he has a soft spot for crisps). I really have to shake my head and wonder how some people get through daily life!

Bizarre. My son was one of the shortest in his class. He bf for nearly 2 years. I'm short, his dad is average. So he was never going to be a giant. Nothing to do with how he was fed - his half brother was ff and is 6 ft 2!

Pmsl, yes, your kids' height is down to BF User. 😂 Nothing to do with genes.

Besides. Over the generations haven't we all gotten bigger due to the proliferance of cows' milk?

We are Scandinavians and after 4 years in UK I no longer wonder why my daughter is taller than so many of my son's friends. They are three years older than her.

LOLOLOL.... hilariously daft. Or it would be hilarious if it weren't so scary that you actually believe this.

It's pretty much a lose lose

If you formula feed you will be a part of the overwhelmingly large majority of mothers who formula feed in the UK. So what's the worry?

well, yes I think you are. not to at least try with an open mind.