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Infant feeding

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Original poster

Does personality type affect breastfeeding experience? Anyone got any info? Lets do a mumsnet bit of research!

194 replies

mears · 18/08/2008 22:24

I have had a google briefly but can't find anything at the moment.

I have had a lot of discussion about personality type recently and just completed an online test

It got me to wondering whether personality type has a bearing on the experience duration of breastfeeding.

My test result was ESFJ and I had a great experience.

My sister is ISTJ and had a completely opposite experience to me.

I thought it might be interesting to see what personality types and experiences were in the vastness of mumsnet.

The test doesn't take long if you are up for it

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mawbroon · 18/08/2008 22:57

I am an ISTJ "The Examiner" according to this.

I am still breastfeeding my almost 3yo ds and will probably let him self wean.

Interesting to me is the thing about having to follow the rules.

I did all the things that are recommended for breastfeeding. Exclusive to 6 months, fed to at least age 2, didn't use dummy etc etc and I know that a lot of this was because I was worried that not following these "rules" could lead to problems.

However, I love breastfeeding and feel that I have never considered another persons feelings as much as I do ds's. Especially with regard to weaning. I know he would hate for me to actively wean him, so I have decided to let him do it at his own pace.

Interesting topic mears, thanks

cthea · 18/08/2008 22:57

I disagree, though. BF experience isn't either/or depending on the woman's personality. The same woman can have a good or bad experience with the same child or with different children. If personal make-up doesn't change with time, then why would that happen? I also think it's a negative way to view things because it doesn't allow for any learning or change with time.

ravenAK · 18/08/2008 22:57

ENTP - find bf'ing v easy.

Don't feel I can take the credit though, all 3 dc simply lunged at me & latched!

Also, I don't enjoy it & am looking forward to no longer having to (3 dc, aged 4, 2 & 6months. Older 2 both self-weaned before 1 year).

suedonim · 18/08/2008 22:58

ISPF (artist) here. I'm a bit alarmed at the suggestion I could be a 'personal service worker'. It sounds rude!

Wrt to bf, it was hard for me, certainly didn't come naturally but I was determined and got there in the end.

Pannacotta · 18/08/2008 22:58

ISTJ Examiner, I b-fed DS1 for 2 ish years and DS2 is still b-fed at 15 months.
Found b-feeding easy once I got my head round going with the flow.

Tinker · 18/08/2008 22:58

ISFP - The Artist. Bf 1st one for 3 months (thought then that I had to stop when returning to work, no mn then) Am still feeding my 2nd at over 3 years old. Bar mastitis with both, has been straightforward. I also never considered bottles from the start so wonder if that is teh main factor in perservering?

ghosty · 18/08/2008 22:59

Hang on a sec ... I just spent 10 minutes doing that test and now it is asking me to pay for the results. Is that right?

Anyway, don't know what my personality type is but I didn't have a good first experience of bfing (I am sure due to external factors affecting my emotional responses to bonding etc) but had a fabulous wonderful fuzzy mumsy experience the second time.

ThatBigGermanPrison · 18/08/2008 23:00

ESFJ

Didn't breastfeed, for many many reasons. I don't know if this makes it irrelevant or not.

DwayneDibbley · 18/08/2008 23:01

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EBenes · 18/08/2008 23:08

Don't want to be really humourless, but agree with the people who think this is a no-fun way of discussing success at breastfeeding. People who weren't able to do it tend to be sensitive about it - as seen time and time again on these boards - without discovering it was actually a personality 'flaw'/(or good-humouredly, I'm sure) type.

Original poster
mears · 18/08/2008 23:08

ghosty (hiya ). Test is free.

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Original poster
mears · 18/08/2008 23:10

EBenes - I am not suggesting personality type is a 'flaw'. I hope this thread does not go down the non intentional route of argument.

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jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 18/08/2008 23:10

3 children. Completely different breatfeeding experience with all 3 (wanted to bfeed all). Same personality!

Ds1 fed until 13 month (I inititated stopping)
DS2 fed until he got bored ( 2 and a half)
ds3 managed a few weeks

i'm an INFP

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 18/08/2008 23:10

INFP=THE DREAMER.

ghosty · 18/08/2008 23:11

I'll try again later - maybe it is only free in the UK?
Got to get DD to Kindy
{{hugs to Mears}}

JodieG1 · 18/08/2008 23:11

ENFP - bf ds1 for 8 months or so and ds2 for 16/17 months. I love bf and am training to be a bf counsellor.

AbricotsSecs · 18/08/2008 23:12

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Original poster
mears · 18/08/2008 23:14

Personality typing is done on leadership courses in various professions so that people can be aware of areas that may be challenging in their personal makeup and they work to strengthen those areas. Perhaps it may be helpful to women what may be challenging for them with regard to breastfeeding.

It was a random thought tonight that flagged up and I wondered what others thought out of general interest.

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Original poster
mears · 18/08/2008 23:16

Hope you don't get charged Ghosty

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AbricotsSecs · 18/08/2008 23:18

This reply has been deleted

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mamachat · 18/08/2008 23:20

ISTJ - The Examiner - I have loved bf dd who I am now trying to wean at the moment, she is 13months. I have had problems tho, the start was very hard and she has always bf alot throughout the day and night.

When she is ill or upset she bf alot, which I find very draining. But I am glad I bf as we are soooo close that I often think we are still 1 person really...

She loves being bf and has been reluctant to give up. Its weird that all other mums on here with the same personality as me have bf for a long time, I really am hoping to stop soon but I am probably doomed because of my personality so will bf untill she is 25.. lol...

cthea · 18/08/2008 23:22

I haven't done the test because I wanted to read more about it first, is it of any value, has it been validated, or just someone putting some statements together. I've been a researcher these past 15 years, maybe I'm over-analysing what's just a bit of fun. As long as it doesn't lead to generalisations and reinforce stereotypes. (I don't want an argument about BF, we are in the same camp on this issue.)

charchargabor · 18/08/2008 23:22

I'm INFP, or 'The Dreamer.' I had a tricky start to breastfeeding, but am still bfing my DD, who just turned 1.

Original poster
mears · 18/08/2008 23:28

It's Myers-Briggs.

The reason I thought about it so much tonight is because my sister sent me the link to supplement information she gave me so that we might get an insight into what career my 17 year old son might want to follow.

Her views regarding breastfeeding are so different from mine but she has such a different personality than me that it struck me as interesting.

The responses so far cannot be interpreted meaningfully at all and so is a useless exercise but I think there is a link there somewhere.

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Original poster
mears · 18/08/2008 23:32

I should also add that I am referring to the experience of breastfeeding where there are no health or weight gain issues.

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