OP, you are going to be an amazing mother no matter what decision you make! I have an 8 month old, and I went into pregnancy having no desire to breastfeed. Over the course of my pregnancy I decided that I was going to at least give the baby the Colostrum. This is what I ended up doing, plus a couple weeks of hand-expressed breast milk while I was drying up (I had an oversupply). I cannot imagine having breastfed in the long term. I am happy with the decision I made, and tough sh*t for those who think I should have made a different choice. My baby is happy and healthy, and so am I. Good luck!

OP- if it was me, I would try just to be sure. There's no harm in that.
If it hurts too much and isn't what you want, then stop.

I couldn't breastfeed. My son is thirteen, he's never had a serious illness, his IQ is 145.

There’s no medical research to say that breast feeding is better than formula. Don’t beat yourself up over this because it really is a nonissue!

You do what you want. If you are very sure, buy some nursettes to the hospital with you. Whatever you choose, it will be fine. On a population level, maybe some of these decisions matters, but not particularly on an individual level. Good luck with your baby!

I had horrible post-partum depression because of my problems breastfeeding. I make a lot of milk, but for anatomical reasons it is difficult. I pumped exclusively for my first, but I REALLY wanted to breastfeed my second mostly because I wanted that special bond. Instead I dreaded him waking up because I knew he needed to eat and it hurt so much. It got to the point where I told my husband right before work that I hated our baby. I was so mad at him for latching wrong or latching correctly and then falling asleep soon after. I didn’t want to hurt my baby, I just wanted nothing to do with him. I put the baby down and called up my parents crying. My dad convinced me to just pump like I did for my first baby. So I did, and then I was finally able to enjoy my baby. I feel sad that I didn’t love and cherish him in the first 2 months. I’ll never get that time back. I’m lucky my family and husband supported my decision. Do what is best for you, and if extended family gives you crap then just walk away. You don’t have to put up with their complaints. Also, it’s funny how breastfeeding feels so significant when they are infants, but after my daughter turned one, and I stopped pumping, I didn’t really care.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From evolutionary perspective one should not have kids if they are not equipped to feed them. I guess we have evolved far enough that it is actually possible for mammals to raise kids without actual mammaries, but I would still give it try before firmly deciding against it.

Gosh, I guess no one should ever adopt a kid. Or have a child after you've had a double mastectomy. PP, you're an idiot.

OP, ignore people like this. Do what is best for you and your family.

Yep, I was just shaking my head reading thru this ridiculous thread. My 3 adopted children are doing really fine -- healthy, no academic problems. My husband did not pressure me to breastfeed my kids (yes this is slightly possible). If he had, my husband would now be my ex-husband. (He is nodding as I type this. )

Or after a breast reduction surgery.

My bestie just adopted her 4th child. All 4 kids doing great. No breastfeeding necessary!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From evolutionary perspective one should not have kids if they are not equipped to feed them. I guess we have evolved far enough that it is actually possible for mammals to raise kids without actual mammaries, but I would still give it try before firmly deciding against it.

Gosh, I guess no one should ever adopt a kid. Or have a child after you've had a double mastectomy. PP, you're an idiot.

OP, ignore people like this. Do what is best for you and your family.

Yep, I was just shaking my head reading thru this ridiculous thread. My 3 adopted children are doing really fine -- healthy, no academic problems. My husband did not pressure me to breastfeed my kids (yes this is slightly possible). If he had, my husband would now be my ex-husband. (He is nodding as I type this. )

Anonymous wrote:OP sounds like the type who wants an elective Cesarean too.

This is not a valid analogy. The comparable Cesarean would be one for a breech baby.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP sounds like the type who wants an elective Cesarean too.

I wish I would have done that - it's very common in some countries and the women are quite happy about it.

Do not conflate surgery with formula feeding. The former carries risks to especially the mom's health. Formula feeding carries no risks.

I promise when your child is teen no other moms will be sitting around asking if you breastfed. Feed your baby in the way that suits you best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP sounds like the type who wants an elective Cesarean too.

I wish I would have done that - it's very common in some countries and the women are quite happy about it.

I did it and would do it again. Elective C section and formula feeding. OP, give DH “Cribsheet” to read. His family doesnt have a say. Stick with whats best for you. You dont have to win everyone over. They wont be cheering you on, and you need to be ok with that. It will all blow over in a couple of years and wont matter.

Anonymous wrote:OP sounds like the type who wants an elective Cesarean too.

I wish I would have done that - it's very common in some countries and the women are quite happy about it.

Anonymous wrote:To those who say the first few days of breastfeeding are excruciating, I disagree. My experience is purely anecdotal but it may encourage you to try. Newborn breastfeeding causes your uterus to contract back towards its original size during the first few days, but my contractions were no more painful than a blood pressure test. The breastfeeding itself was a relief to bloated breasts and felt good. Of course it's your call but I can't see why you would assume it's going to hurt without trying it.

Have you had more than one baby? Because I didn’t notice it much for baby one but holllly shit were the contractions from baby 2 breastfeeding those first two days rough. Apparently all subsequent babies are more painful

I breastfed my first and plan to try again with my second. But ugh I really hate lactivists. The benefits of breastfeeding are totally negligible. I think breastfeeding advocates have to convince themselves and others that breastmilk is magical elixir to make themselves feel better about their choices. Choosing pain and suffering (which is the breastfeeding experience for many but not all moms) does not make you a better mother. Understanding other people’s bodily autonomy and having empathy, however, does mean you are a better mother.