Any other women grossed out by breastfeeding?

[Nonameslefttochose]

As in subject, I’m wondering if any other women are absolutely grossed out by breastfeeding? I’m very maternal, I love children (mine and everyone else’s!) I value children and family as the most important “things” in life. Yet the idea of breastfeeding makes me cringe. A baby sucking on a breast like some kind of animal :) despite of this I did try with my first son and lasted 4 days. My second baby is due next week and I’m going to try again even for the first few days as of course I know it’s so beneficial etc. I’m just wondering if anyone else out there have similar feelings with regards to BF?

I find it beautiful. Don't want to be a weirdo watching feeding mums, but I find it such a beautiful sight, for so many reasons (not just how natural and peaceful it is, but also how resilient the mother has to be to feed in public with such strange and unnatural opinions around breast feeding).

I don’t find it weird as its just what everyone does. I live in London in an area chocca with young families so at cafes, park, playgroups etc everyone does it. Even in church. I find the opposite - anyone using a bottle has to give a reason as to why they are doing it! I liked it as it was so easy, no need to sterilise bottles, stock up on formula etc. Gives you so much freedom to get out and about as all the baby needs is you!

I can relate in a way, but in the opposite direction. I don’t understand the preference for formula over breast milk outside of medical need. It seems so unnatural and inhuman to me. But I had a good experience of breastfeeding so my viewpoint is skewed.

I'm more grossed out by people viewing their breasts as two fleshy lumps for playing with rather than for feeding their babies.

Your breasts have been appropriated by the patriarchy for the use and enjoyment of men.

BFing is therefore an act of resistance. Viva la revolución.

I’m grossed out by the idea of cow’s milk and that of other animals. I can’t drink it (although ok with other dairy products). I was an accidental extended breast feeder though.

That’s not why it gives me the heebie jeebies. For me it started when I was 9 months pregnant with my first. I got out of the shower and milk was dripping from me. I didn’t expect it and I simply could not to be honest. It made me feel sick. I didn’t expect to feel like that either. But I think I didn’t really like how my body had changed anyway and it was just another “thing”. Im not articulating this well.

@abcdeg

Strange how the animalistic nature of sex doesn't repulse people but the non-sexual use of breasts does.

Seeing breasts as sexual is as natural as breastfeeding. People feel repulsed because they still see breasts in a sexual context even when used for their primary function, and even if they know it's irrational, those feelings persist.

They don't feel grossed out about humping like animals though? Only about babies suckling like animals. Just because those double standards persist, doesn't mean they are validated.

Oh my god yes!!! I know it's perfectly natural and all but I'm really not a fan. My cousin breastfed all 4 of her kids, sometimes even in my house, I'd never judge people that choose to but I'm really not a lover of it!

They don't feel grossed out about humping like animals though? Only about babies suckling like animals. Just because those double standards persist, doesn't mean they are validated.

My point is just that breasts are sexual in nature too, and it makes people uncomfortable they can't always magically switch that off. It's not good, but it's understandable why

@MrsTerryPratchett

Your breasts have been appropriated by the patriarchy for the use and enjoyment of men.

BFing is therefore an act of resistance. Viva la revolución.

This is exactly how I felt when BF. Like I was giving the finger to the patriarchy and every man who had ever stared at my chest.

I’m sure many feel like a cow at some point (as it’s relentless) but those sorts of thoughts (I assume) are probably fleeting to most and do not outweigh all the benefits and reasons for doing it

My mother felt like you and told me it disgusted her because breasts were sexual.

I found it really hard but whatever one thinks of breasts or how hard it is, one does one's very best for the baby you have brought into the world

My relationship with my mother is poor. Life was about her; all about her. I realised how crass it was the moment I became a mother.

If breastfeeding a baby grosses you out, do you feel the same way about the messy animalistic way that babies are conceived?

I'm not grossed out I wanted to breastfeed but it didn't work out for me I was kept in 3 days with several nurses at a time trying to get my daughter to latch on it was bloody horrific feeling I cried constantly it was embarrassing and I felt so pressured.

I'm glad it didn't work out my daughter is just fine and hasn't got 3 heads from me not breastfeeding. It was also nice that my husband could be involved more in the feeds too without it all being on me.

I don't dismiss woman that do breastfeed I think it's fantastic and I know the benefits but it's also OK not to breastfeed

I think it's probably influenced by the people around you too. My mum and grandma were both weirdly embarrassed by it and were both insistent that bottle feeding was the right choice. I don't have much family so never had it around me really.
So, as much as I tried very hard initially to breast feed both boys, it never felt quite normal. As it happens, I was asked to stop by the hospital when DS2 lost too much weight.
Now, looking back, I wish I'd have persevered longer.

I felt like this before having DS, the very idea of breastfeeding gave me the screaming ab-dabs! When he was born, I felt compelled to try to feed him myself (must have been a hormonal thing) so I tried and I hated it. Luckily for me, he hated it too and we happily formula fed

If I have another, I'm sticking to formula, it's just not for me. It's not a sexualisation of breasts thing for me, it's the thought of something sucking at me although I do have sensory issues in general which probably doesn't help

I really really hated it too. The whole thing felt repulsive.

Won’t be breastfeeding DC2 either.

Think it but don’t say it to try and discourage people from BF (& it will). BF rates are so low in the UK. I hear a lot of people say that BF is gross and they can’t stand the thought of it IRL. And one woman say that her boobs were for her partner only…I won’t even start on that one!

I know two people who feel like this and were against bf from the off and incidentally both of their mothers also held the same views as you and were quite vocal about it.

@Mommabear20

Oh my god yes!!! I know it's perfectly natural and all but I'm really not a fan. My cousin breastfed all 4 of her kids, sometimes even in my house, I'd never judge people that choose to but I'm really not a lover of it!

Even in your house?

What. A. Monster.

I loved breastfeeding my DC. It's just so clever how women can produce the perfect, safe, right temperature food for our babies and for free, too. I actually thought it was quite magical. Hard work and a massive amount of dedication to be together with my babies for every single feed, but wonderful. We should celebrate it more 👏

Each to their own!
I never wanted to, I wanted my body back after pregnancy
Nothing against mums who choose to breastfeed, but it wasn't for me
(I know totally going against mn rules of how to parent)

I get the heebie jeebies from seeing babies fed from a bottle, though of course I wouldn’t say it or show it in real life and not everyone can bf. Plastic rather than skin just seems so wrong.

I find it weird that people would prefer formula. Do you also like to drink dried milk yourself?

@Mommabear20

Oh my god yes!!! I know it's perfectly natural and all but I'm really not a fan. My cousin breastfed all 4 of her kids, sometimes even in my house, I'd never judge people that choose to but I'm really not a lover of it!

IN YOUR HOUSE?!!??? faints