Breastfeeding v Formula

I was pretty hardcore about breastfeeding, and -- drumroll -- I breastfed!

I am glad I had a strong commitment to BFing, and that I was willing to request lactation consulting, b/c my newborn son had NO idea what to do with my boobs. If I had been younger and less confident, I might have concluded, "Oh, he's not taking to the breast; I'd better use formula." As it was, it took him 48 hrs to get with the program, and then he pretty much latched on and didn't let go for a year.

I was determined to try BF with my son, and it just didn't work out due to complications with delivery and milk supply. I wound up formula feeding by necessity.

With my daughter - no one in the world could've convinced me to try BF. I wanted nothing to do with it.

I don't have a choice. I'm taking a medicine that makes it unsafe for my baby to breastfeed. I bottle fed my other two children as well, and they are fine. So no, if a lactation consultant tries to bug me, I'll tell her to stuff it.

I was exclusively committed to bottle feed. My Dr and hubby were both onboard and supportive.

After she was born, I ended up having to call security because the BF nazi at the hospital where I was would not give me formula, came in my room nonstop and harrassed the he$$ out of me. I couldn't wait to leave and I did leave the hospital early.

In the end, my hubby went to the store to purchase formula, my Dr. instructed security to keep those people away from me and said if he witnesses any more behavior like that to any patient, he would see that they are promptly escorted out of the building.

I made my choice and I still have no regrets regarding my choice but I am still very resentful of the La Leche League and I refuse to donate to any cause they may have.

Everyone is entitled to do what they choose to do and should be respoected for their decision.

ETA: I did not and do not have any negative feelings toward someone who chooses to BF. The fact that I did CHOOSE a bottle from the get go does not make me any less of a good mom than someone who BF exclusively. Thank you.

I notice that people tend to make a lot of assumptions about how one arrives at the decision to bottle feed, as though it were a well thought out researched approach or a flippant decision- WRONG. For the vast majority of us who succumb to the bottle its because we found ourselves on a sinking ship of unsuccessful breastfeeding, constantly hungry babies who were not gaining properly, exhausted and at our whits end. I for one was dead set on exclusively breastfeeding my first. But it all went down hill in a hurry. The first bad move was from the arrogant lazy nursery nurse who decided against my express wishes to give my baby formula while I slept. From that moment on we struggled until 6 weeks latter, I realized I had lost the battle of milk supply and wills. My baby simply preferred the easy bottle nipple and I was tired of fighting. That nurse should have NEVER given my baby formula. Furthermore, despite my best efforts to BF in the hospital, I had one treacherous nurse who refused to help me get the baby to latch and would plop formula in my hand and leave the room. She was my night nurse and there was no one else to help me (I don't hate all nurses, I had some really good ones too who where like Marry Poppins getting that baby to latch). This was almost 5 years ago. A lot has changed in that hospital's policy since then. But even though I pinpoint my failed efforts to BF to that nursery nurse, I still don't think this law should be passed. Its not the mothers who push the formula, its the nurses who don't want to deal with your crying hungry baby. They want a content, gaining baby and formula makes their jobs easier. But, its hospital policy that needs changing, not state laws. I think its uninformed that Bloomberg thinks we moms make these willy nilly decisions not to BF. Who after all hasn't heard the news: "breast is best". Most all of us TRY to BF. Its just that for some of us its a lot harder than it looks. And to answer your question, though I encountered a few nurses who could have cared less if I succeeded at BF and pushed formula on me insisting my baby was starving, they did not change my mind, but they did sabotage my efforts.

I went in with an open mind. I wanted to try to breast feed, but my body would not cooperate. After trying, trying and trying, then pumping away, graduating up to a hospital-grade pump, there was just no way that I was going to produce any milk.

At first, it was heartbreaking, but I realized my daughter was hungry and I wanted to feed her, so I asked for a bottle. The hospital sent in this nursing nazi who made me feel even worse than I already did. Yes, it was harrassment and my husband went to the nurse's station and demanded that this woman not set foot in our room again. She was awful.

No, not all bodies are meant to do this.

This does not mean that I was any less committed than a breastfeeder, nor did I love my daughter any less than someone who breastfed their child. I simply could not do it.

I am thrilled that most people can breastfeed and I completely support it, but please don't judge those who can't or simply think they aren't trying hard enough. I was committed to doing what was best for my child, whether it be a bottle or a breast.

ETA: Sorry J., I'm one of those that didn't read your question the right way! :)

I don't think anyone external would have changed my mind, even the horrible nurse that came to our room after I requested a bottle. I knew my child needed food, so I stood my ground and got the bottle for her. Hope this clarifies!

My doctor basically told me to formula feed. I was fine with that, because honestly I didn't WANT to breastfeed. I really, REALLY didn't. I have a hate-hate relationship with how the boobs have treated me. The thought of a baby on there made me want to vomit. I have a history of serious breast infections. Mastitis so bad I was in the hospital for weeks on the heaviest IV antibiotics available. (Seriously, WEEKS.) Then months of cipro prescriptions after. This happened many times. I don't know why, no one does. Starting at 19, I get severe cellulitis and mastitis, especially in one breast. Often. After years of this, my doctor was very scared of the breastfeeding, engorging, hormones, stimulation...causing a massive infection explosion. I was getting a c-section (very complicated, high risk pregnancy,) and the fear was my body and immune system not being able to fight hard against infection. Anyway, I never produced milk. My boobs never grew, hurt, changed. I was SOOO relieved when it just never happened. So, yep. Formula. Happy to do so.

Funny thing is, a nurse did try to berate me. I was in the maternity ward for an emergency thing. I was 30 weeks and been heavily contracting. I had to do this every few weeks, I started contracting half way through. (They gave me shots to stop it.) She asked how I was going to feed. I said formula. She started off in a tirade. I literally put in my head phones and told her to go away. I'm thankful for CHOICE, and that I wasn't as vulnerable to guilting and shaming as many women are. I've told many a people where they can shove their breast milk pretension.

ETA: In response to your SWH. Nope. Not a single person on earth. Not even my little one.

No, no one external would have changed my mind. Thankfully I wasn't harassed by hospital staff. They were very supportive of breastfeeding.

Unfortunately all my harassment came from La Leche League when I had to resort to formula supplementation. My story is long and very painful but I have finally come to realize that I don't owe ANYONE an explanation (which I realize you didn't ask for, hahahahaha!).
My own experiences aside, I have a friend who attempted suicide after a LLL leader told her that she was a terrible mother and shouldn't even have had a child if she didn't plan on nourishing it herself. My friend's crime? Going back on life saving medication. Nice, huh? Do you think Mayor Bloomberg would lock that certain LLL leader in the cupboard with the formula if I asked him nicely? ;)

I was determined that I would breastfeed exclusively and would have been really upset if I found out nurses were giving my baby formula.

With that said, I think its TERRIBLE to harass and guilt women who have just given birth! As an avid supporter of breastfeeding I, in no, way, shape or form support guilting moms for their parenting choices, within hours of them giving birth.

If you want to push/support breastfeeding, require an informational session at one of your OBGYN appointments.

With my first baby I had taken the BFing classes, and was totally committed. I had my Boppy pillow, Udder Covers, a nursing stool & glider chair, Lanisol ointment, Lily Pads, and not a single bottle in the house.

Things changed very rapidly when I woke up one morning at 36.5 weeks and realized I hadn't felt my baby move since the night before. An emergency c-section later, I had a baby that had nearly died, clinging to life in the NICU. During my entire pregnancy my breasts didn't grow AT ALL. The NICU nurses assured me that my milk would come in. Every day I pumped and pumped and pumped. I couldn't even hold my baby for the first few days. My biggest yield EVER was 1 oz in 24 hours. When I was discharged I was given a hospital-grade pump, and pumped religiously. I met with lactation consultants, was drinking all the water I could--nothing helped. Still, each day when I came to the NICU and brought my tiny little contribution to my son's feedings, the nurses praised and encouraged me. Once my son was finally home, BFing was not easy, with 2 nosy in-laws always in the room and not giving me privacy when I needed it. However, by the time my son was home the nurses told me to just get as much as I could, and not to feel guilty if I had to supplement. After all, if he dropped back below 5 lbs, he'd have to be readmitted to the NICU, and we all know that hospitals are dangerous places for immature immune systems. So, baby 1 was 99.9% bottle fed, and I felt like an utter failure.

With babies #2 & 3, at a different hospital, the nurses were MUCH more in-your-face about the need to BF. They were actually dismissive, disheartening, and annoyed with my questions and requests for the LC to come to me. No amount of them telling me, "THIS IS WHAT YOUR BODY WAS MADE TO DO" could MAKE my body produce milk. One nurse was actually quite huffy with me, and it was only a few weeks later when I went for my son's check-up that the doctor told me, "You know, some women have insufficient glandular tissue. If your breasts never grow at all during pregnancy, you probably are one of these women." LIGHTBULB! DING DING DING! She was right!

A lot of the women I hang out with now are attachment-parentingphiles, and they still look at me like I have 3 eyes whenever I remind them that not ALL women CAN breastfeed. They are convinced that anyone can do it if they just try enough and have enough support.

You know, I didn't think much about it. Breasts are for babies so it seemed a logical choice. I found it easy and pleasurable. Even for the 26 week preemie, for whom I pumped for 3 months before he latched on.

If I had found it stressful and very difficult, I probably wouldn't have done it. Either way, the kid is fed, right?

Of course we ALL know breast milk is best, however we should all be grateful we have a choice.

:)

My first was born with a heart condition and was in NICU for 3 days before I even SAW her. When I finally got her, I tried to BF but my nipples are weird and even with a lactation coach (I think that's what they are called), I just couldn't do it. And she didn't make me feel bad, she said a lot of women just can't BF for various reasons, or simply choose not to. So she was formula. When I had my son, I was determined to BF him also, but had the same problems. I pumped for awhile so he could at least have breast milk, but it was a struggle to do that also (and I worked full time), so he ended up formula bottle fed also.

I think there is so much pressure to BF and it isn't fair. If you can, great, but some of us couldn't, no matter how much we tried, and we shouldn't be looked down at because of that.

With my first one, I choose very early on to bottle feed. No one ever tried to change my mind! With my second, I wanted to give breastfeeding a try. I couldn't do it though...breastfeeding her just wasn't working out for so many reasons. We had to go back to our hospitals lactation consultant a few days after leaving the hospital. I started to cry telling her that I just couldn't do it and was more comfortable switching to formula...she made me feel so much better! Hugging me, telling me there is nothing wrong with that and that I need to be comfortable with what I am doing. I thought she would be the one to push me into continuing breastfeeding. She said I could call her with any questions and she was always there to help. Loved her and couldn't believe how sweet and helpful she was!

No determination whatsoever.

I was planning in BF'ing, but would have formula fed in a heartbeat if anything went wrong or was needed. I'd spent rather a lot of time in countries where formula isn't an option, and babies die on a regular basis because of that.

My midwife & OB asked me my plans and I said something along the same lines. They blinked looked at each other, asked me again, I said something about colostrum would be ideal if nothing else, and there was no reason for me to plan to use formula, but if there was a need to, formula is pretty amazing life saving stuff if my body had a snit or kiddo came early or had problems, and they just laughed

"You know, this means your milk will come in no problem, and your baby will do great latching, right?"

Which turned out to be the case.

I always feel really sorry for moms who attach self worth to nursing. To me, it's the healthy baby, not what they're fed.

I think most people go into it intending to give breastfeeding a shot. You really can't know what its like til you get started though, so the path unfolds for most women from there.
Seriously there is really no difference in the long run. If you look around you at kids and grown ups of any age, there is no way to know who was bottle fed and who was breastfed so we should just get over it. I for one think breastfeeding is way overrated. Eventually your kid is 1 or 2 and the whole thing is a distant memory. People put to much thought and stress into sucha fleeting stage of the kids life.

I totally knew i was going to breastfeed. It was in my birthing plan and the nurses all asked. They showed me how.. Helped us find a comfortable position.

They sent in a lactation specialist to help us. Our daughter was 3 weeks early and was exhausted after the 21 hour labor.

But they just kept helping.. Once we got home I even called them back and told them I was worried. I had a lactation specialist come by (yes, our insurance covered this 22 years ago).

But that weekend, I felt like our daughter was becoming weaker and weaker, she took on that funny color.. My MIL kept telling me it was the color of the room.. But in my heart, I knew something was just not right. She was just not showing any energy.

Went to the pedi and they knew immediately she was jaundice. They told me they really needed to give her some formula, not enough time for me to pump.. The moment that bottle hit her mouth, her eyes opened and she gulped it down. We were then sent straight to the Children's hospital where she spent 5 days in the NICU. I pumped almost non stop to make sure she was getting as much as my milk as possible, but there was just not enough.

Formula was a life saver for her.

I was devastated that she had been so ill. I also began to realize why back in the day, so many infants did not thrive..

I pumped for 6 weeks non stop. Then I had to go on a buying trip for 10 days.. I had saved up milk, but I also knew it was time for formula. Heartbreaking? Yes.. But our daughter is an amazing person, totally brilliant, and i would have done ANYTHING to make sure she did not suffer, even putting aside my wants and needs.

I bf my daughter until she was 8 months old but she also received formula as well. My son was a pig and ate all the time. I realized he wasn't getting enough from me so he went onto formula at 6 weeks.

My kid, my choice. I believe that everyone has their own reasons for the decisions they make. Formula or bf. The goal is to have a health, happy, thriving baby.

As for La Leche, I would NEVER donate to that organization. They made my life miserable with our son.

The only people involved in my decision to BF, was baby & myself.

I was very determined to breastfeed exclusively. There was only one nurse who gave me grief. It was because my son had jaundice that required he be kept in the special care nursery under the bilirubin lights for two days. I stayed in the hospital's courtesy room after I was discharged so that I could be there to feed him. He was brand new, so of course he kept falling asleep while feeding, and he wasn't "performing" up to their ridiculous standards, so the nurse handed me a bottle of formula to give him after I was done breastfeeding. I told her we were exclusively breastfeeding but she left it on his crib. I ignored it. After about a 1/2 hr she came back and said something to me about not using it. But I stood my ground and refused. Another nurse told me later that they needed him to be eating a lot so that he could poop out the excess bilirubin and get past the jaundice. That was a great explanation that I wish the first nurse would have taken the time to say to me. However, I had more than enough milk and pumping gave the nursery an adequate amount for backups. I was not going to just let this lady tell me what to do when it came to something I believed in so strongly.

I was set on breastfeeding but had I not done the classes and learned about how good it is to the baby and I went in with intentions to formula feed if I had a pushy nurse who told M. breastfeeding was better for Emmy I would have been swayed.
I think being overly pushy is bad and everyone should be able to choose and to each their own but I think all people should be given a little info on the bennefits to it if they are choosing to bottlefeed before they get the free formula at the hospital. I only feel this way because I know my parents generation was so anti breastfeeding that some people still are anti it with no real reasons and it does bennefit babies ecspecially premies

I chose to bottle feed and let anyone who asked, know that is what I planned on doing. I had no guilt. No one gave me any grief (except my BIL) and here we are today. (My BIL told me my daughter was going to be sick with ear infections all the time. Irony to that is his kids were the ones sick with ear infections, one even had to get tubes..even though they were breastfed)

Would anyone have changed my mind? I doubt it. It wasn't until after my oldest was born and when I joined online boards that I saw there were actually people who cared so much about how others chose to feed their child. This still did not effect me. I formula fed my youngest and I still did not receive any grief from anyone. (BIL stepped off his soapbox at this point)

I still do not feel any guilt for my decision. I have two beautiful daughters that are healthy and who do great in school. :)

I had firm plans to breastfeed when I had Kiddo.

I didn't birth in the hospital, and it probably helped that there was no one telling me 'he wasn't getting enough' or anything like that. It was just me and him, and me reading him, and the midwife checking on us every few days. Once engorgement passed, I was a milk factory, and I began pumping to stock up for nights out.

I also knew that if I had to, I would supplement. As a nanny, I worked with several families which bf/pumped + supplemented formula. Those babies were their own little persons with their own personalities, and all grew well, all were well cared for. So, while I wouldn't have been super-resistant to the idea of supplementing, it just never came up.

I think breastfeeding/bottle feeding should make the list of topics not to be discussed unless you can stand the heat of the opinions (or are willing to bring down the wrath of the gods on your head) - religion, sex, politics, and breastfeeding. Each is deeply personally and fraught with peril for public discussion.

I went in with one view but was pragmatic all the way. If things didn't work out as I had envisioned, then I'd change and move along with my life. For me the point is to have the baby and to feed the baby so the baby thrives. The methods are not the point; they are the means to the end. I was harassed and I didn't respond well. Imagine that...who likes being nagged, right? I gave it the old one two and it failed miserably. I changed methods with the support of those who really mattered when it was clear things were not working out for the better. Then again I am not a very militant personality. Life is best lived not fought every inch of the way.

With my first I was committed to BF because I was single and there was no way I was going to pay for formula when breast milk is free. I was kind of annoyed when the hospital strongly suggested that they let me let them give him a few bottles because "he's 2 weeks overdue and a big boy and hungry and can't wait for your milk to come in" but let them do it because I was 22 and new at this and didn't know better. In the end it was fine, I breastfed successfully anyway (and no those bottles didn't make him stop crying). My older kids didn't have any formula at all.

I'm still blown away my the ridiculous amounts of misinformation going on in even excellent hospitals. A friend who planned on at least trying to breastfeed had a long labor and c-section. She needed a lot of care after her surgery so she didn't get to see her daughter for a couple of hours and they had already fed her a bottle by then (totally reasonable) but then the nurses told her to not bother trying to bf because she did so well on that bottle and it would be easier on mom's recovery to just go with the flow and continue to bottle feed. Being a first time mom, she listened them. This was 5 years ago so certainly during a time when the benefits of breastfeeding were well known. I was pretty shocked to hear that but other friends have been encouraged to bottle feed in the hospital as well.

I wanted to breastfeed so badly and went to several classes before the before and had the lactation consultant in my room every time to feed, but we struggled to the point where we would hook up a tube to a bottle of formula and tape it to me to help me produce and barely anything would come. I was never able to get enough milk to come in to support her, even with the help of 3 lactation consultants.

Second baby went in wanting it to work in the worst way, but realistic to know that it might not happen again, and low and behold the same thing happened and the baby had other issues too, so we were not able too. I gave it my all but was unable to get my milk production up and I tried just about everything everyone told me to do.

I came to the conclusion it was not worth it for me to be depressed and to have the baby fighting for her food, so I did give in, but I did try for weeks and weeks to no success.

I think a lot of people want to try, but some don't. I don't think it is going to matter what they do in the hospital. I had one consultant who was awful and was blaming me for not producing enough!! Really you are talking like this to a brand new hormonal mom, shame on them.

When I was pregnant with my son I read books, went to informational classes, etc etc etc. because I WAS going to breastfeed no matter what. Well, no matter what we did in the hospital, the help I got from the breast nazi's, etc that boy would not latch on - at ALL!!!!!!! So, for 3 months I pumped and then resorted to bottle feeding........so, while I was so determined to breastfeed I didn't .........at first I felt like a failure but got over it.

3 years later my daughter was born - I was so anxious at first because I wanted to breastfeed but remembered how awful I felt when my son wouldn't have anything to do with it - she nursed like a champ from moments after being born and made it almost a year.

So, I don't think the staff would have changed my mind but I know they are more so hard on the moms who decide to bottle feed - and I think that's awful. (not bottle feeding - the pressure from staff).

I was committed to trying.

I wanted to breastfeed, and like you I had done quite a bit of research on the subject.

A big part of my research taught me that no matter how committed you are, sometimes it just isn't possible.

So I went to the hospital with the mindset that I would give it my best shot, but if I had to, I would use formula. But I would keep trying to nurse...

Luckily, my DD took to nursing quite easily, and we were able to nurse until she was 20 months old. :)

I specifically chose a hospital that I knew was pro-nursing, and had an LC on staff. My nurses and the LC were great support! So I didn't have to worry too much about them pushing formula on me... but had they been trying to push formula, I would have simply stood my ground. :)

I always knew I was going to breastfeed. My mother breastfed and I just grew up thinking that was the norm. I was really terrified and worried that it wouldn't "work", but everything was fine with my first. And then he was hospitalized for 2 months, and I pumped every single day. But, still my supply went down and I had to supplement with formula. I never wanted to do that, but I needed to. I challenge anyone to tell me differently.
With my second it was a bit difficult in the beginning, he wasn't figuring it out for about a week, but once he did it was smooth sailing for about 18 months.
Now, my third, I REALLY struggled to feed. She SCREAMED any time my breast got near her and lost 2 lbs her first week. The doctors, nurses, and lactation specialists (!) really wanted me to put her on formula. If I hadn't successfully breastfed two children before I probably would have. But I persevered and pumped for almost 3 weeks and then one day she just got it! Even my husband would come into the room while I was trying to feed her, tears streaming down my face while she was red in the face from crying, trying so desperately and gently told me that maybe I could bottle feed her. It was so tough!! But, she DID finally get it and then we had a great nursing relationship until she was about 15 months. (she just had her 18 month check up and is the 97% for height and weight...guess she regained those 2lbs!)
I really did have a lot of support with my third, but boy was it tough. I wish that there had been more support of ME instead of just looking at the baby. I was really a wreck.
L.

Have you noticed that in many stores, formula is now kept under lock & key? Seems people are stealing it to feed their kids, or stealing it to sell easily for cash to feed something else.

The Bloomberg topic is about stopping the "five fingers discount" and the "default to the easiest path" by health care professionals.

It's not about "harassing" anyone.

I think most of us have noticed (especially if you work in any part of health care) that they are trying to A.) plug any & all leaks and B.) add value to each health care experience.
That might include stopping theft of a commodity and supporting BFing, even if it requires more effort on the part of the nurses.

And, no, even if the nurses "harassed me, my mind was made up as well.

I was determined to breastfed no matter what. Even though I knew I would be having a preemie and knowing that she wouldn't even know how to suck, breathe, swallow when she was born did not deter me. She was breastfed and bottle fed with both formula (with my ok) and breastmilk. She came home needing to have breastmilk fortified. I switched her over to exclusively breastfeeding within a week of coming home. I was never harassed by anyone. The hospital I gave birth in was pro-breastfeeding and I never felt any pressue from anyone to go either direction. The LCs and NICU nurses were amazing but I don't know how they would have treated me if I had wanted to stop. I'm now breastfeeding my second preemie. My first until 18 months and will let my second self wean as well. I think it's horrendous to read about how new moms are treated in the hospital regardless of how they choose to feed their child. I'm very, very pro breastfeeding but I would never say this is something you have to do. You should be able to make that decision for yourself and your baby without the pressure of someone telling you otherwise.

I was planning on breast feeding, but when my daughter was born it turned into a C-section, she wound up in the NICU and I had a fever so I could not go near her to nurse.

They brought me a pump and gave her what little came out, but they also gave her formula. I did not know they were doing this until my husband told me.

Once we were able to be together she nursed, but we wound up supplmenting about 8 - 16 oz a week with formula becuase I never produced quite enough.

I still wonder if they had pushed me to pump more if we still would have needed supplement...

I breastfed all 3 of my kids. The hospital supported my choice. With my first they gave her a pacifier and I did not want that, but she gave that up on her own at 6 weeks...so it was no big deal :).

No way was anyone talking me out of it. Barring extreme circumstances, I was breastfeeding. period. I knew what I was getting myself into...lazy nights of rolling over...feeding on demand...never washing bottles...bigger boobs...

But it was easy for me, even though I dealt with multiple episodes of thrush and mastitis. I would have had to have a REALLY serious health problem or something to not breastfeed, otherwise formula simply wasn't an option.

I hate this whole topic and don't know why it has to be brought up randomly. It always seems to be a veiled reminder that breast feeding is better than formula. Well, I did almost die during delivery so my body, and I'm already naturally underweight, did not produce much milk no matter how hard I tried so yes, I bottle fed. My kids are, knock on wood, way healthier than lots of breast fed kids I meet and have no allergies so far but the topic has to keep coming up. Yes, I can skip these questions and typically do but can't help but see the headline and then get the pangs of guilt and I know there will be the posts on here saying how much better it is. But to answer your question, yes, I do think if I'd gone in planning to bottle feed, my delivery went well and my milk came in no problem, a helpful lactation consultant who helped me at least try breast feeding and get started likely would have had an influence. I could have been scared about breast feeding so said I was going to use formula but then found out it was easy and decided to do it for awhile at least. I also think there are unfortunately, a lot of uneducated women who become mothers so perhaps they don't really know the pros and cons. I also think if a mother is perfectly healthy and producing plenty of milk but on WIC or foodstamps that she shoudl be encouraged to breast feed. No reason for taxpayers to foot the bill for formula when it's not necessary. I paid for all my own formula of course.

I actually doubt many bottle feeders were totally committed to bottle feeding. Most people that I know who gave bottles did so out of necessity of finding it too difficult, low supply, wanting breaks by letting others feed, baby with a poor suck, inverted nipples, or going back to work. Most bottle feeders at least tried breast feeding for a while. My stepmom who is a psychotic B, is the only person I know who is against breast feeding, and who had her daughter and then bound her breasts and used meds to dry up her supply. Then again her maternal instinct is broken. Not that anyone else's is if this is how they did it, not to offend. I wanted to brestfeed but was very young and didn't have any negative feelings about bottle feeding. I ended up being very successful at breast feeding. I have nursed my 3 kiddos, for 18, 15, and 26 months. But I don't judge anyone that doesn't take my route.

I was determined to breastfeed all three. I had trouble with my first and the nurses gave her a bottle. I was actually depressed based solely on my failed attempts.I ended up pumping my milk to give her. But the next two I breastfed only.

My sister was going to breast feed her only living child and the hospital gave her the shot to dry her breasts up without her consent.

She had lost a little boy at 8 1/2 months along then she was pregnant with twins and they sort of fell out around 5 months along. She is very tiny and could not support them. This was many years ago and now there might be more they could do.

Anyway, she was so angry that she was robbed of that experience. Nowadays I have heard they do not do anything to stop the milk from coming in. They expect you to breastfeed. IF you don't then it's on you to do what is needed to make the milk go away.

I think if the doc knows your intentions you should be able to do whatever you are wanting to do.

I was determined to breastfeed our babies. I breastfed our son for a year. With the twins, I had every intention of doing the same but it didn't work out that way. I cried many, many tears when I finally gave up after 3 months. Juggling two at once, their troubles with latching on, pumping, and a two year old who was struggling with having his little world turned upside down was more than I could handle.

I guess I was moderately committed. I knew I was going to try to breast feed but if it didn't work out I wasn't going to stress over it or think of myself as a failure or anything like that.

I didn't do any research. As a mammal, I was naturally supposed to nurse my young.

Happily I was able to pump and then easily nurse my preemie and my youngest child (although she had to start formula at 6 months because my supply just wasn't up to par).

Just saw your question. Ignoring the Bloomberg thing (as I roll my eyes over locking up formula...) I knew that I wanted to nurse. My nurses were thrilled for me to nurse. They brought both of my babies to me to nurse. They explained lots of stuff to me, including what my first baby was spitting up.

My second son nursed, but he lost an unusual amount of weight in the small amount of time I was in the hospital. It alarmed my doctor and she wanted me to give him formula in addition to nursing. I felt that what I experienced was the best of both worlds - nurses who wanted me to do what I wanted to do. They knew my older child was doing well - in fact, my ped told me that these nurses can tell if something is off with a newborn - color, sound, etc - because they are so intune to them. The same happened with my second child - the nurses knew he was losing weight, came in to watch him nurse, said nothing to me, but contacted the doctor. I supplemented and nursed, both, for the entire time I nursed him, until I went back to work full time 3 months later.

It turned out that this child has a submucous cleft palate. Nursing was very hard on him and he didn't suck hard enough, so he didn't get much milk. The faster, easier bottle nipple got him the rest of what he needed so that he could gain weight (I couldn't pump for the life of me.)

I'm lucky that I didn't have any harassers. As emotional as I was, I doubt that I would have changed anything. I would have just cried a lot.

Dawn

Um no it wouldn't have but then again I was very well informed and my family was supportive. If I weren't so well versed then I would have asked the staff for thier opinions.

All three of mine were born at home, and I'm glad I didn't have to deal with any of the hospital stuff wrt breastfeeding.