For as long as I can remember I knew that when I had a baby I wouldn't breastfeed. It's just something that would be very uncomfortable for me. I knew that I would take a lot of heat for this, but people always say, "Happy mommy = happy baby."
When I had my first child, I fed her formula and I think it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Now that I'm pregnant with my second, I'm excited to not breastfeed AND I'm excited that I have no anxiety about it whatsoever.
It really is shocking how many people pressure women to breastfeed. People act as if it's cruel and selfish to give your baby formula.
There's little discussion about the fact most people my age weren't breastfed and don't seem to have any problems with allergies, immunity, or mother bonding. Also, few mention how this completely keeps the fathers from sharing in responsibilities of taking care of the baby. Also, it keeps women at home longer, keeps them away from their "normal" life, and it's much more difficult to measure how much food your baby is getting. Many women find it very difficult to breastfeed. It doesn't come naturally to them. It adds an added stress to the most stressful time in life.
I believe there are many women who don't actually want to breastfeed, but are pressured by peers and society to do so. Think about it. Are adopted children less loved by their mothers because they cannot breastfeed? What about fathers? I feel perfectly bonded to my daughter. And, my husband does as well. In fact, by sharing in her feedings when she was a newborn, our family became closer as a unit. She is also just as healthy as her breastfed friends.
It's such a relief to not have to worry about what others think of me this time. I know what works for me and my family and I hope other people will figure this out for themselves as well and not let others decide for them.
Image via Nerissa's Ring/Flickr
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Comments 365
I just read an article about babies in china that have an increase in breast tissue and the culprit-bovine growth hormone in the babies formula. So to say everybody is doing just fine from formula isn't true. The US also allows the use of BGH in it's dairy cattle to increase milk production so unless it say organic this is most likely in your formula as well. You are trusting the word of a company for your most precious thing.
By the way, many adoptive mothers DO BREASTFEED their children. Women who have never given birth can lactate and feed their babies. Here is some information on Relactation and Adoptive Breastfeeding.
I do support a woman's choice to feed her infant as she chooses. However, to push propaganda that makes breastfeeding look like a poor choice or to give the impression that it can lead to miserable mothering is not only ignorant, it's selfish. Make what choices you will, but don't try to make it look like they are good ones.
Ok the comments on this make me sad. It is the mothers choice how she feeds her child. That being said with my first daughter i tried to breastfeed. I faught with her non stop for a month to try to get her to take it. She wanted nothing to do with it so i decided it was best for her to go on formula then to not eat. Everyone on her makes you feel guilty for using formula ever. I was due yesterday and i decided to use formula from the start because i didn't not want to go through what i went through with my first. I missed out on so much of the first month because i was so stressed out and she was so not happy. Yall should not judge. You never know why some chooses to do what they do. Just because its not right for you doesn't mean its not right for someone else.
Your the most selfish woman on the planet. I could understand why if you had a problem and you atleast tried to do it. I was lucky to breastfed my first for atleast 3months then I had problems and had to stop. I am pregnant again and going to put 200 percent effort to make sure I can breastfeed for atleast the first year TO BENEFIT MY BABY!! When your fully capable of breastfeeding you shouldnt waste your money on expensive formula!!
Rana, that is really cool!
I agree with all the Mamas on the first page.
I'm happy you're happy, I wish you would have made an informed decision though.
"Fallaya, focus that anger on getting formula to a healthy stage. Make it an acceptable option instead of the poison it is.
I struggle with this b/c I am all for a woman's right to choose, and that extends to her choice in how she feeds her child. BUT it is really hard to be supportive of a woman who comes across as entirely uninformed and selfish while passing it off as self-assurance.