To ask why some women don't attempt breastfeeding?

[Lottle]

Just being nosy. Perhaps too nosy....

Just wondered why some mums don't give breastfeeding a try. I totally get why people may not do it for long, just curious as to why some don't try at all.

One friend happened to mention (I didn't ask) "it wasn't for me" but I wasn't sure what that meant but of course I didn't probe, so probing you lot instead. Don't know if it's too cheeky to ask though!

I did in fact breastfeed for 4 months then combi to 6/7, after that onto formula with food until 1 and switched to milk.

BUT I was adamant from the start I would be open minded, just do whatever was easiest and would not pressure myself in any way. And I was, and still am, quite militant in that view after my lovely SIL committed suicide with PND triggered by her (perceived) failure to breastfeed. When you review the actual evidence the clearly established benefits are fairly limited and short lived. Inevitably the evidence gets a lot weaker as you look at effects in older children - i.e. relationship with obesity in 5 yr olds. Whereas the evidence of impact of maternal mental health is much stronger.

It came easily to me and DD to feed, so great I did. But I wouldn’t if it hadn’t. It’s not worth it.

Also ‘faff’ is relative. Luckily I don’t worry about money. So when I switched I just bought pre-made... never done powdered in my life.

I'm really sorry to hear that slackermum1.

Horrid really interesting to hear that early supplementing can be more common in other cultures, we could learn from that. I had a community midwife tell me it was a good thing I hadn’t had any formula in the house because I might have been “tempted” to “give in” - as I was sitting crying my eyes out because we were being sent back to hospital. If I’d had some bloody formula in I might have fed my baby, avoided the readmissions and felt strong enough to keep trying for more than a couple of weeks.

No it’s possible to provide everything a baby needs for growth and development without breastfeeding. For optimal growth and development however breastfeeding is necessary.

Not true.

YABU

None of your business.

HTH

I'm very pro-breastfeeding. Pro, that is, in the sense of wanting better support for the earlier gruelling stages (my group - not NCT but local - helped me hugely) and more information on issues such as the baby constantly feeding to stimulate more milk production. What often happens here is that the mum believes the baby isn't getting enough milk, introduces formula top-ups, and her supply and the BF relationship are then scuppered.

Nothing at all wrong with putting this information out there. But after that, what women do or don't choose to do with that information is up to them.

Likewise, what of the reasons as to why some women don't attempt breastfeeding? That's up to them.

I didn't breastfeed, I didn't want too, my body my choice and you know what no one will make me regret my decision or feel bad about it either

I have just always known that I would never breastfeed a baby as I just don't like the idea of it. I'm quite private person and a bit squeamish and I don't like the idea at all. Both mine have been formula fed from day one. Not really sure how else to articulate it it just wasn't a decision for me I just knew I wouldn't.

Feeling like a cow, feeling repulsed, disgusted etc is because society looks down on BF. If BF was celebrated and women felt supported I think a lot more mums would BF.

I hate anyone touching me - and my breasts hurt in cold weather. So I wasn't going to try it - and no one tried to force me thankfully.

Couldn't be bothered.
Also returning to work within 4 weeks.

I have (if I say so myself!) nice breasts and wanted to keep them that way.

The thought of pumping breast milk always brought to mind the memory of the cows in my dad's milking shed hooked up to the milking machines.

I was of the view that my need for sleep - by handing over baby to their dad every few nights - far outweighed any possible marginal benefits of breast milk over formula.

I find it disgusting. There’s no way I’d have tried it.

What is disgusting about it Caution ?

I find it disgusting. There’s no way I’d have tried it

Is there something wrong with you, what a ridiculous comment, I hope your children don't pick up your views

I really don’t understand comments like “disgusting” and am genuinely interested as to why as it’s a very strong reaction to have.

I don’t BF as it’s shredded my nips and mind three times now and - controversial I know - I want a crack at having a decent sleep now and again. And I get it.

I am also a control freak who’s last two babies have been v poorly at birth and I need know know how much they are getting; I can’t guess and rely on wet nappies alone.

I don’t have children so you can sleep easy, coconutty

There's nothing wrong with people feeling differently to others about breast feeding.

I'm perfectly aware that breasts are designed for BF, I'm not dumb to the information about BF, I don't give a toss if people do BF in front of me or otherwise, but I do find the thought nauseous on me.

It's not something I'm comfortable with doing.

I didn’t want too, so I didn’t.
I saw a few close friends go through weeks of hell and didn’t fancy that.

I also knew I would need help from dh and he couldn’t have done much as he couldn’t have fed him.

Each to their own

I’m one (4 children here) who just didn’t feel any desire to. I couldn’t make myself want to breastfeed.
It doesn’t sicken me, I don’t think my breasts are sexual so ‘ewww’ none of that.

It’s really hard to explain.
Loads of people I know have and do breastfeed and I can see all of the benefits but somehow I always knew it wasn’t something I wanted to do.

Can’t explain it!

Because I was on antibiotics for sepsis, morphine and codeine for two weeks and my baby was screaming with hunger, so she got a bottle.

@PopcornZoo I didn’t say ‘it is disgusting’. I said ‘I find it disgusting’. Two different statements. I find olives disgusting too, it doesn’t mean that they are.

Because dd was hospitalised with severe dehydration and was very poorly ( thought she was feeding when she actually wasn't) I didn't even attempt with dd 2. I wanted to know exactly what was going in her! No regrets at all.

Because clearly there are no foods inbetween farmers market/organic/grass-fed foods and chicken nuggets and chips.. I fed my kid crisps from birth