Anyone who wanted to bottle feed feel like others wanted them to do otherwise?

[OnyxRayne]

I had doctors at Ella's first appointment try to FORCE me to breastfeed. There were a couple of reasons why I chose not to.
1. It hurt way too much
2. I smoke cigarettes and don't want nicotine to get into my Ella(Mat nor I EVER smoke around her).
3. I'm on mood stabalizers for my Bipolar.

I tried to tell the doctors this, but they ignored me. I understand that breastfeeding has benifits, and I applaud anyone who wants to do so. But it's just not for me.
Anyone have the same experiances?

[*Kimberly*]

I BF'd my son for three weeks before I gave up- the last week or so I was pumping and bottle feeding because it hurt less that way.  I didn't get any outright comments about not BFing but I did get some comments implying that I didn't try hard enough or wait long enough or that I wouldn't connect as much with my son if I wasn't BFing.  None came from my doctor, she was fine with me not BFing, they all came from other mommys.  The comments bothered me but I always came back to the fact that I was comfortable with what I was doing and that my hubby supported me.

[*Natasha*]

I had problems breastfeeding and after a few weeks decided to go with bottlefeeding and i have no regretes at all my DD is very healthy.
I am still deciding whether to give it a go this time with No.2 as it was such a stressful thing for me the first time.
Don't feel guilty for what decision you make do what is best for you and the baby.

[oilerbaby]

Breastfeeding is a CHOICE.  You need to do what will make you happy.  I bottle fed my first two and am doing the same with my third - not because I had a hard time with breastfeeding, but because I didn't want to breastfeed.  Please don't feel guilty for bottle feeding!

[daybyday]

I'm a breastfeeder...and I just wanted to add...

NO ONE has the right to judge you...You are being honest with yourself and with your doctor...I'm sorry they're not listening...Kudos to you for doing the best for you and your baby! Don't feel badly at all...have some HUGS and keep smiling at that beautiful bundle playing peek a boo!

~Marie

[Megan1969]

I ended up with my first on formula after 6 weeks.  Now I have 8 week old twins and am breastfeeding them.  I don't regret for a second either decision, especially when i look at my healthy active toddler.  Every baby and experience is different.  I can honestly say that as hard as breastfeeding twins is, trying to b/f my firstborn was harder.  much harder.  So natasha, i think its worth giving it a go the second time around, as your experience could be completely different.

This time, I'd already decided that if it didnt work again, i wouldnt waste a second feeling guilty about it, nor would i try to justify my decision to anyone (like i did the first time).  My babies, my business.

[Sarahlolly]

I breastfed my Ella solely for about 2 months, then gradually went on to bottle.  She is now coming up to 4 months and is mostly breast fed.

Had an appointment with my health visitor to discuss weaning last week, and she was a little funny about me not breastfeeding so much.  BUT it is my choice and if Ella is happy and growing well it should be left up to me to decide.

Do whatever you feel is best, I'm sure it will be the right decision.

Sarah x

[Shdef]

I live near Berlin and breastfeeding is THE way of feeding babies here. That's great I think. Women breastfeed in public, no-one is bothered about it at all and it's very much accepted.

But... I had to bottlefeed Scotty after 6 weeks because I got ill and had to take strong painkillers as well as antibiotics. So I stopped. It was sad cause I had no problems breastfeeding and I enjoyed. I also had to go back to university quickly after that and pumping didn't work. Nothing came out, even with the electric one.

But when I sat in a cafe bottlefeeding my baby I got bad looks from other mums and I hated that. How dare they judge people? They don't even know what's going on.

I also started smoking again after I finished breastfeeding, we don't smoke in front of the children but smoking and breastfeeding really don't go IMO...

Hugs to you and keep your chin up!

[RachelC]

Just wanted to offer some {{{{hugs}}}}.  You need to do what is best for you and your baby, and it sounds like you are    IMO, I would find a new doctor.

[OnyxRayne]

It wasn't Ella's doctor, per se, it was more her nurse. We had a meet and greet before her doctors appointment and she was the one who was pressuring me. Her doctors fine, she says that Ella is healthy and gaining weight.
I hate that people must judge. It's just sad.

[matthewsmama]

It is very hard to be judged by people who dont know what is going on. I am sorry you were treated this way.  I was not able to breastfeed and also had a hard time with peoples comments.  big hugs to you, christie

[Chix0r]

Oh please.  Tell that nurse to go jump in a lake.  My dr breasfed two of her babies and bottle fed the other two.  A woman who dreads feeding her child isn't good for the child (or a marriage). 

[binxyboo]

I agree, it is everyone's choice.

That being said, breastmilk is the best thing possible for your child, I think the health care profession has a responsibility to get that information out there. Whether or not you choose to go along with it is the individual's choice after that.

[Sarahlolly]

Did anyone in the UK see This Morning yesterday regarding this issue.

It was very good although I felt so sorry for the lady who's DS lost 23% of his birth weight and the HV was STILL telling her to bf.

Sarah xx

[OnyxRayne]

Did anyone in the UK see This Morning yesterday regarding this issue.

It was very good although I felt so sorry for the lady who's DS lost 23% of his birth weight and the HV was STILL telling her to bf.

Sarah xx

What's DS?