I am choosing not to breastfeed.

[Anonymous]

My second child is due in a couple weeks and I have just made the decision not to breastfeed. I just don't want to. My reasons include problems the first time around, wanting the freedom that FF allows, wanting my husband to be an equal part in the feeding process, and not having a great pumping set up when I go back to work. But bottom line is that I am aware of all the benefits of breastfeeding, but I just don't want to.

I'm wondering if there is anyone else out there that will admit to making the same decision? I know that many people will disagree and judge, and that is fine. But if any of you out there made a choice not to breastfeed, I'd love to hear about it!

TIA

[Anonymous]

Why do you want to hear about it?

[Anonymous]

I made the decision to stop breastfeeding after three months for the same reasons as you---but just three months later.

[Anonymous]

of course other people have chosen not to bf. Why do you want to start a fight?

[Anonymous]

Oh, OP. Please get secure with your decisions or go build a bullet-proof vest and duck, b/c people are going to skewer you.

This sounds awfully a lot like instigating.

Good luck to you, whatever you do.

[Anonymous]

It's a personal decision. Do what is right for you and your family.

My pediatrician's wife didn't breast feed. He was ok with it.

I personally will breast feed my next one since I did it with the first. However, I get all your reasoning for not wanting to. It's a lot of work!

Now, I bet, since this is DC forum, you'll get a lot of negative responses. Don't listen to them.

[Anonymous]

Good for you. If you're posting here about it, you sound insecure.

[Anonymous]

Well, I killed myself pumping at work every day, so I totally understand what a drain it is - no pun intended! And I hated dealing with all those bottles, nipples, and all the space it took...

But I enjoyed the physical and emotional sensations of nursing my baby at home more than anything, I remember these moments as truly magical, so was more than willing to pay the pumping price at work. As for DH, he did get to bottle feed but had he not, I'm of the opinion that "I pushed that baby out, so I get to breastfeed and bond"

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am insecure about it. Absolutely. I've wrestled with the decision for months. And the reason I am posting is to find out if anyone else has made a similar choice.

It is very rare on this board to hear about someone making the choice not to BF. People most often say they had supply issues, were unable to BF etc. I'm sure this is true in most cases. I'm curious if there are instances in which people do make the same choice I am making and feel insecure saying it.

[Anonymous]

~whatever~, it's none of my business.

At the very least, you could give your newborn some colostrum.

[Anonymous]

One thought - if you are insecure about the decision, could you breastfeed at morning and night, but feed formula during the day so you don't have to pump? I started doing that when DS was 10 months old, and am very happy with it. Or if you don't want to do that, don't feel insecure - go what is best for you. I have gotten daycare sheets for other kids in DS's class by accident on several occasions, and they all ate formula. It's not uncommon. One of my neighbors decided to stop after two months, and she's a terrific mom.

[Anonymous]

I'm not quite in your position, but I am exclusively pumping. Baby had latch problems which we were told could be fixed with a minor surgery but we chose not to do it. I felt a little guilty at first but really, it works out for the best for my family, which includes taking my older child into consideration and her needs too. Older child was adopted as an older infant and was FF so I know that BF isn't a required element to for bonding.

[Anonymous]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Anonymous]

I had low-supply, and after endless pumping that yielded next to nothing, I finally started exclusively formula feeding. Looking back a year later, I can honestly say I have no regrets or insecurities. I was emotional at the time, but I got over it.

The baby is doing awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
At the very least, you could give your newborn some colostrum.

Agree with this. You could compromise.