Pressure to breastfeed

[MummaBear14]

I had my first midwife appointment this week, and I went in with my mind made up that I will not be breastfeeding baby no2. Baby no1 was premature, (and although that factors into me having very little milk supply) I had to try because baby needed breast milk. After 24 hours we had to use donor milk, as I just couldn't keep up with the tiny demand. Upon speaking with my doctors they have said the lack of milk is due to ongoing hormonal problems, and they even prescribed me tablets to help get my supply up. It didn't help at all, and caused a lot of unnecessary stress at an already hard time. I was so relived when baby no1 was discharged from hospital, as I no longer had the pressure to provide breast feed and we could start our bonding (2 weeks late!). This time I am not even attempting it, I want a more relaxed birthing experience than before, and the chance of being able to bond straight away without worrying about my milk supply. I want to bottle feed with formula, and that is my mind made up. I spoke with the midwife about it yesterday, and she said several times that we will keep trying to get my milk supply up if it is low again. Although I stated several times I wasn't prepared to try, she dismissed it and said the lactation consultant will help me. I know they have to promote breast is best, however I feel it will really affect my bond with baby if I'm being pressured, and constantly stressed out, again when there is another option for me out there. I feel this is the best option for our family. Can anyone advise what I can say in the future to put my foot down? I don't want to be pestered, or judged, about it when I've just given birth.
Thank you for reading.

I am pro breastfeeding, I'm also pro choice. You do not have to do it.

I would very firmly say: this is not a topic for discussion and you will not discuss it further. If she pushes it, I would tell her that she is going outside her professional boundaries informing her views on your and that you will report her if she continues. I would simply say the conversation needs to move on, or you will leave

Enforcing not informing!

I want to bottle feed with formula, and that is my mind made up
Just keep repeating that, don't tell the midwife you will think about breastfeeding, you don't want to. She needs to learn not to pressurise people.
Make sure it's written in your notes if that's something that's recorded (can't remember if it is or isn't), scribble out her "thinking about BF" and write FORMULA FEEDING.
Wishing you and your new baby all the best.

"We have decided to formula feed".

That is all you need to say. The more reasons you give, the more people think they can talk you round.

If you say you will think about it, the discussion will come up again.

I formula fed both of mine, and plan to do the same again (as a first choice and because I wanted to, no medical reason).

Health visitor asked me if I wanted leaflets on breast feeding and I just said no thank you, I plan to formula feed. She put them away.

As long as you are clear and assertive about it, they will leave you alone.

If they don't, then complain! They have no right to dictate how you feed your child's

Wow I would request a new midwife if she carries on. I told my HV today that I won't be BF this time, she was lovely, zero judgement and simply said she doesn't care how I choose to feed my baby and all that's important is the baby is fed.