Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I took a class this weekend through my hospital about breastfeeding. I understand how important it is to breastfeed and what great benefits it has, I just dont know if it is for me, if I feel comfortable doing it. Does this sound silly? I still have a few more weeks to think about it. I will definetely try it in the hospital, but I think I will be more comfortable pumping. Who knows? Maybe once I try it in the hospital it won't be so bad.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

Do you want complete honesty? And I really don't want to be flamed for this either.

I am grossed out by it. It is a personal choice and I am chosing not to do it. I've always known that when I have a child I will not be breast feeding. I have come up against a lot of resistantance, even when I had to go to L&D at 21 weeks because I was bleeding. I know I am going to have a hard time because the nurses were really pushing for me to do it.

I am not comfortable with it either, I don't know why, I don't think there is a deep psychological reason or anything, I just am not comfortable doing it.

My will be formula fed.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

It is a personal decision and nobody should talk you in to it. Although I did not breast feed I do feel a little gulity that I didnt. I think because everyone around me did. but that was my choice. I knew it was not for me.

Both of my kiddies are just as healthy. Dont feel bad in your decision

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I don't have a child yet- but I watched a very interesting special on showtime ( I think) and it was about the breast and breast feeding, cancer etc etc

it was very interesting, and I think anyone consdiering not breast feeding should watch it

I never saw what the big deal was until I saw this special- I was formula fed and I was planning on doing the same- but not anymore

basically there is no way to duplicate the benefits of human breast milk- some hospitals even get huge donations from formula companies to push formula

it was eye opening for sure

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

Message edited 2/18/2007 11:52:41 PM.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I think it will be a totally different experience once your baby is born, and your in the hospital and the LC is there to help you a long. JMO, but BF is the best thing you can do for your baby even if you only do it for a few weeks.

I would give it a try, it might not be as bad as you think!

ETA: I BF my DD for 11 months, its great for bonding with your baby too!

Message edited 2/18/2007 11:55:41 PM.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

no flames here. i just don't understand how anyone can describe it as gross. to each their own though...it's definitely not for everyone.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

in the special I watched- the made it seem like the benefits lasted a life time

I wont lie and say I have done any research on my own yet- this woman was very objective IMO

I can go check my on demmand and see what channel it was on- I am 99% it was showtime but it could have been HBO- I just watched it saturday

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

No flames, but personally, this is in my opinion...

what else do we have breasts for? At the end of the day, Humans are animals and breastfeeding is the most natural thing for us to do. Its society that makes people feel otherwise. Breasts are for babies. Full Stop. Again, personally, I don't know why any woman wouldn't want to breastfeed!!

eta...I am wondering what it is that makes women feel uncomfortable.

Message edited 2/19/2007 4:19:38 AM.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

imo, breasts were made to feed babies. i totally respect that it's not right for everyone; some people choose not to do it, and some people can't do it for one reason or another. but i, for one, can't wait to put my bbs to good use!

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I always knew I would breastfeed, but after reading about the benefits (each woman's body tailor-makes exactly what your baby is needing, rather than the "one-size-fits-all" nutrients of formula) and COST-SAVING of breastmilk, I'm happy that I am comfortable with it.....

No flames, but I don't understand why it's "gross". I can understand the whole argument about time-consuming, or physical discomfort, etc. Also, although the "pump and feed" way of offering breastmilk, while it does work, is EXTREMELY time-consuming.....

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

While I was pregnant, and basically for many years before, I was adamant about NOT breastfeeding. It made me uncomfortable to even think about it. But as soon as my daughter was born, I had the overwhelming need to breastfeed her, knowing that it was the best thing for her. It was devastating to me when she couldn't latch on, and even more devastating when I realized her allergies were too severe for me to even give her breast milk. So, you may think you are opposed to it now, but never say never. I am living proof of that!

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I wasn't sure if I was going to BF or not, and I was not impressed with the breastfeeding class - I thought she was pushing it too much and bashing formula fed babies. However, when DD was born I tried it, and it hurt like h e l l, but I felt this overwhelming need to keep at it. She is 3 months now and I had to almost stop completely recently for a root canal that was so painful, but I am so glad I did it for even that long. And it did weird me out at first, but now I do it more for comfort for her before giving her bottles, even if it's just an ounce here and there. It's normal to have those feelings, I just think they change once baby is born.

ETA: I see nothing wrong with FF at all and I think FF babies turn out just as healthy, etc. - just giving my opinion...about your opinion possibly changing when you become a mommy!

Message edited 2/19/2007 8:05:13 AM.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I will be honest. I didn't love the latching, while some women love this bonding time, I didn't love the sensation. I pumped and gave DD a bottle. I later switched to formula. To each his own. As long as the child is healthy, that's all that matters

Message edited 2/19/2007 8:04:00 AM.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

to be honest, yes.. i do feel uncomfortable just from the thought of it. but i'm going to go ahead with breastfeeding due to all the positive studies found. i agree it's a personal choice. my aunt formula feeds her babe. i told my BIL that and he practically call her an awful mom. how offensive! he even goes as far as to teaching me how to breastfeed! now that's uncomfortable! he's not even a friggin' woman nor a doctor! he's a actuarian! sheesh, bro! back off! (sorry all.. just a slight vent on my part)

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I BF for 4 months, while i don't think it's gross, i think that society makes us feel uncomfy since so many people raise eyebrows when a woman wants to feed her baby discreetly. We were taught that BF'ing is something to be shy and uncomfy around, since breasts are looked at as sexual objects and not for feeding a child.

It was hard, really hard in the beginning, I am glad i stuck through it, but IMO if you are not comfy with it, than that's okay too.

The hardest part of BF'ing, is it's ALOT of work in the beginning, it can hurt, and it can be trying emotionally on you.

That bond, and the feeling you are giving your baby the best you can is the best, but formula is a good subsitute too.

I am not BF'ing #2, i have medical things that need to be taken care of after the birth and bf'ing makes the symptoms worse and will prolong my treatment, i feel a bit guilty, but i have to do what's best for me, and that's okay too.

Just think, when we were all born, formula was pushed on our moms and BF'ing wasn't. Now it's the opposite.

You have to do what's best for you, you might feel different when the baby is here, but you may not, and don't ANYONE make you feel guilty or awful about giving your child formula.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I honestly will only do it for the health benefits of my child. I personally don't think it is more bonding nor do I care about breastfeeding. But I decided to try it for the child.

I can understand both sides.

Just like people who think birth is magical. I am totally grossed out by birth stories, I feel like fainting if I see a birth on TV and refuse to watch it.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I always knew I would breastfeed. And I agree, to each his/her own. My SIL had a baby in Jan and was on the fence about BFing, but when her little girl arrived, she did it w/o any hesitation. But had to stop b/c of latching and pumping problems. My other SIL is totally grossed out about it, so much so that I won't even tell her I am going to BF.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, do what you feel is best! It's good that you'll give it a try and be open-minded and flexible...

I BF but I got over the awkwardness by being totally alone doing it for a few weeks. I will never BF in front of anyone but DH (for practical reasons), and don't BF in public (I did in the car once but there was a big blanket and no one would be able to tell...

I plan to BF for 1 yr if I can. If I'm still making milk, I will pump for another year (WHO recs 2 yrs).

2 months into it, I can probably see giving up some shyness...

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

For years before I got pregnant I was adamant that I would not breastfeed. The I started to consider the idea of pumping exclusively for the baby. Now that I am pregant, I want to try to breastfeed (and funny enough I am actually worried that my milk won't come in or the baby won't latch) and do some pumping so that we can work out my whole going back to work.

I think that you have to do what you are comfortable with. Go with your gut and your heart. Our mother's generation was told that BF was bad and I think that most of us were formula fed. We survived. Regardless of what each person thinks is best - only you can make the decision for your child.

I think this debate ranks up there with the whole working mom/stay at home mom debate. It's hard because the decision is so emotionally charged but please don't feel bad about your decision.

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I felt the same way before my first. I was sooo not into doing it but my DH INSISTED that I at least try. I thought it was weird and uncomfortable. Well, let's say I "tried" it... and I ended up nursing him for 1 year! It turned out great actually, and I'm still nursing my 2nd one. It wasn't as weird as I thought it would be. It took me a while at first to even do it in front of my DH since I was uncomfortable to begin with but now it's no big deal! Good luck with no matter what your decision is. There's nothing wrong with not BF'ing it isn't for everyone. I personally would suggest at least trying it though. If you really don't like it, then stop! Good luck!

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I was uncomfortable with the idea too, but my DH convinced me to at least try. Although I did plan to try, part of me was hoping it wouldn't "take." I don't know...didn't seem like my thing.

Well, it is very painful in the beginning and you will see stars, but it really gets so much easier, in fact, in some ways easier than bottle feeding. The "weird factor" just wasn't there for me at all to my surprise...I even ended up doing it in front of my parents, ILs, etc, although not in public.

Due to my return to work (a place where it is impossible to pump) I had to give it up at 14 weeks and I was soooo sad! I was so shocked by my reaction!

I plan on BF this time too and since I will be permanently a SAHM after this baby is born, I am hoping to do it for at least 6 months...although it will be summertime and those frozen margaritas sound soooo nice right about now

Sorry so long, but you really may surprise yourself and you may loooove it!

PS...the pumping is what weirded me out...just didn't like it

Re: Probably a sore topic, but does anyone just not feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding?

I would just like to say BRAVA for everyone stating their opinions eloquently WITHOUT passing judgement.
I love the pg board!