To quit breastfeeding now?

[hipsalips]

I have a three month old and have been EBF, and while a lot of the time its nice to breastfeed I am getting a bit worn down from it.

I'm debating stopping but feel very conflicted. On one hand I like it (sometimes), I know its good for my DD.

On the other hand I hate the clothes I need to wear, I find all the nursing clothes well dowdy, and would feel more like me if I stopped.

I'm planning to wean her at 6 months, would it be worth swapping to formula until then or would you stick with it, or combination feed to get the best of both worlds?

Do whats best for you. I ebf until 5 months and am glad i did. It was tough at times but its not forever. Making bottles now and all the sterilising and making sure you have enough formula in is a bit of a chore where as bf is just there ready. You could try combination feeding to give your body a bit of a rest. But do whats best for you. Hope you have good support from people irl as that is a great help

@Temp123999 You’re back are you? Based on your posting I wondered if you might have had a hangover this morning but it looks like you’re still at it.

And your kids are ‘beautiful and clever’ like you? 🤣

So, @Temp123999, when I was diagnosed with cancer when my baby was months old, and stopped BF to start formula, should I not have? Should I have given him literally toxic chemo breastmilk or just not got treatment and, you know, died? Gee I’d like to know from you, the self appointed oracle of good parenting 🙄
OP, do what you want. You’ve had lots of good advice on here about buying clothes that aren’t specific breastfeeding clothes that I would second. Ultimately I found BF easier although FF was fine too. Don’t let sanctimonious smug twats make you feel bad for your decision if you decide to stop. Your body, your choice.

@ScarMatty*
Are you that obvious to the world?

We are very lucky to have a choice between bf and ff - both give babies an excellent start in life. It’s just down to your own preference (accepting than some might want to bf and can’t) as to what you prefer.

@RichTwoTurkeyFriend
Oh please anyone can say anything on social media, I’m not advocating giving breast milk in those circumstances.
There’s been quite a few posters complaining about life threatening illness stopping them from breastfeeding which if true is justified.

I'll react how I wish

You can, obviously. But it doesn’t make you better, you’re just as bad and quite viscous on other threads too. You are meant to stick to the guidelines though, so if you don’t, don’t be surprised if you’re the one removed. People like the person you’re responding to mostly want a reaction, it’s best ignored.

ScarMatty Also, perhaps retract the insult to MNHQ too, who have in fact removed the posters comments you objected to. They tend to stick to the no personal insults rule pretty firmly.

@Temp123999 - bf doesn’t make you a better parent or your DC’s any healthier or intelligent.

[quote Temp123999]**@RichTwoTurkeyFriend
Oh please anyone can say anything on social media, I’m not advocating giving breast milk in those circumstances.
There’s been quite a few posters complaining about life threatening illness stopping them from breastfeeding which if true is justified.[/quote]
Oh, go fuck yourself ‘anyone can say anything’. The point is, in that extremely distressing time for me, reading sanctimonious arseholes like you heaping the guilt on for formula feeding made something very very hard, almost unbearable. You don’t get to question me or my experience.

Oh please anyone can say anything on social media, I’m not advocating giving breast milk in those circumstances

Then perhaps differentiate or not be so generalised. There are many circumstances where FF would in fact be a superior choice. It’s the way you’ve phrased your opinion that’s the issue, it’s overly harsh and also just wrong. You can’t compare formula to junk food, it’s simply a false statement. Feel free to be a BF advocate, but you’d have more success doing so without needing to denigrate formula or mothers and fathers who choose to or have to use it.

Well I don’t know about anyone else but this thread made me buy a McDonald’s breakfast

A bacon and egg Mcmuffin I hope?!

I’m leaving this thread so even if you @ me I won’t respond, I’ve voiced my opinion without insulting and swearing at other posters.
A poster even insulted my children.

A poster even insulted my children

They shouldn’t have, and it was removed. But it doesn’t mean your posts were fair either, although you definitely didn’t sling insults. It’s weird some think if they’re on the right side they can be as unpleasant as they like.

@MillyMollyFarmer

A poster even insulted my children

They shouldn’t have, and it was removed. But it doesn’t mean your posts were fair either, although you definitely didn’t sling insults. It’s weird some think if they’re on the right side they can be as unpleasant as they like.

Oh please give over.

You think you're all high and mighty but you're not.

You think you're all high and mighty

Do I? No I just don’t like nasty insults. It’s not my problem you aren’t capable of conversing without doing so.

@MillyMollyFarmer

You think you're all high and mighty

Do I? No I just don’t like nasty insults. It’s not my problem you aren’t capable of conversing without doing so.

More than capable, when I feel it's required.

Why you feel the need to start getting involved or giving your superior opinion and defending a vile person I've no idea.

Why you feel the need to start getting involved or giving your superior opinion and defending a vile person I've no idea.

Again, you’re crossing a line and I don’t think it’s ok. Just like you don’t think that posters comments were ok and responded in a way you thought was reasonable, getting involved at things not directed at you. Only your comments weren’t reasonable and were removed. Now you’re picking a fight despite that fact. Someone isn’t ‘vile’ because they think differently to you. I didn’t agree with their opinion either, but commenting on their children does make you worse. And I don’t need your permission to comment here either. As long as I follow guidelines, I can get involved with whatever I like, as is common on a public forum.

@MillyMollyFarmer

Why you feel the need to start getting involved or giving your superior opinion and defending a vile person I've no idea.

Again, you’re crossing a line and I don’t think it’s ok. Just like you don’t think that posters comments were ok and responded in a way you thought was reasonable, getting involved at things not directed at you. Only your comments weren’t reasonable and were removed. Now you’re picking a fight despite that fact. Someone isn’t ‘vile’ because they think differently to you. I didn’t agree with their opinion either, but commenting on their children does make you worse. And I don’t need your permission to comment here either. As long as I follow guidelines, I can get involved with whatever I like, as is common on a public forum.

Oh, you're still here!

How fun.

Sorry, do you have anything important to add?

Or do you want to continue playing the "ill insult you but I'll make sure it stays within the guidelines so it doesn't get noticed"?

@Phoenix21

Increased risk of obesity
Increased risk of diabetes
Increased risk of SIDS
Increased risk of childhood cancers

We have changed the narrative to describe breastfeeding as reducing these, but as bf is the biological norm, using formula is actually increasing these risks.

There's no judgement from me. I have formula fed two out of four of my children - one through lack of support and knowledge and one because I didn't want to. And that's fine - if someone doesn't want to breastfeed they don't have to justify to anyone, but it is important that any decisions are informed.

Oh I've just clicked back on this thread and see I've been mentioned, weird I didn't get the notifications but anyhoo I'll answer now the query of why I don't agree with formula:
Basically I just think formula companies are more interested in making a shit tonne of money rather than caring for mothers and babies. If they did care then why not partner with the government to sell formula at cost or even for free rather than make it a profit making organisation? Why not donate money to breastfeeding campaigns and support groups to help mothers who do want to breastfeed.
The formula companies state on their own formula bottles that breast is best. Formula is next best and has its place obviously in certain circumstances but for me, if I could breastfeed my baby then by Jove I was going to. I did actually have to use formula for the first 8 days or so of my babies life to top up his feeds as he was struggling to get the hang of breastfeeding and I will be honest and say I was disappointed I had to do that. Just my personal feelings 🤷

The OP should do what she feels is best for herself and her baby.

I think it's so common for breastfeeing mothers to struggle but if they did have some more support they would continue and look back and feel glad they did. It's very hard, even mentally, to keep going.

Sorry, do you have anything important to add?

Do you? Apart from calling people names? My intention isn’t to insult anyone, it’s to challenge the behaviour.

The point of the thread is to discuss feeding infants. Even if someone’s opinion is misinformed or unkind, they get to share it without being called names.

The OP should do what she feels is best for herself and her baby

^^ this. If all thats stopping you is the right support or advice from other mums, then it’s good to try and find that. But if it’s really affecting you to continue, you shouldn’t feel bad for changing what you’re doing.

Yes deffo