? About not breastfeeding

[Schmoo1022]

Hello,

I am not looking for a big debate or anything. I just want to know if nurses, in general, look down on moms who choose not to breastfeed. Not because of a medical reason, just because mom chooses not too.

My friend had a negative experience and feels so guilty for not breast feeding now. In my opinion, I think she is more guilty about not even trying , but she keeps mentioning a comment one of the nurses made.

Just a general question

Thanks!

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

As a breastfeeding advocate, I've also read on the subject and just wanted to mention that there have been a significant # of studies showing a positive correlation between IQ and a child who was breastfed, however that does not mean a direct link to intelligence. It is probably more likely that the family who chooses to breastfeed is also choosing to do other learning activites with their child. Exclusive breastfeeding shows a huge committment by a mother to her child, and that committment most likely extends into other areas the child's well-being.

So... do mom's who formula feed show less of a commitment to their children? Just wondering about your opinion on that.

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

I am young with no children and fully support breastfeeding. It really has nothing to do with my personal values, but more with science and research. The only research that I dispute is the IQ bull malarky.......but I also wrote a very extensive research paper for my Human Growth Class on the validity of IQ testing methods appropriately measuring cognitive development and 'true' intelligence.

As a breastfeeding advocate, I've also read on the subject and just wanted to mention that there have been a significant # of studies showing a positive correlation between IQ and a child who was breastfed, however that does not mean a direct link to intelligence. It is probably more likely that the family who chooses to breastfeed is also choosing to do other learning activites with their child. Exclusive breastfeeding shows a huge committment by a mother to her child, and that committment most likely extends into other areas the child's well-being.

Like I said before, IQ testing is severley flawed measuring only certain aspects of intelligence and not others. It is not a true determining factor for a child's development or potential, too many other variables come into play, like you acknowledged and I don't believe it should be used as an argument to choose breastfeeding over bottlefeeding. Many, many other benefits exist that are much more credible.

[StuNurseUP]

Forgive me, but I have NOT taken fundamentals yet, I am a sophmore at the University of Portland. WE do not take it till our junior year.

I was taught this in my first semester of fundamentals:rolleyes:{Quote}

[angel337, MSN, RN]

I think we need to be aware of our own personal feelings like another poster said. And we need to leave POLITICS OUT OF THE ISSUE entirely. If a patient, after being educated, choosed to bottlefeed, that should be the end of the discussion. It's not MY child and not MY choice.

you could have took the words right out of my keyboard. "not MY child, not MY choice". what is so difficult to understand? after you have educated the patient, leave your opinions and critical attitudes at home. there are a lot of reasons why women choose not to breastfeed, and usually that reason has a lot to do with the busy life styles we all lead (careers, outside activities etc,.) my grandmother who had 12 children even agrees that she doesn't understand how working women manage. she was a SAHM and never worked a day in her life. as long as the baby is eating, gaining weight and developing well in general, I wouldn't worry myself sick over bottle over breast. relax.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

I work in the NICU, so I deal with the forumula vs. breastmilk debate almost every day. Of course we encourage breastfeeding, especially for preemies, and for many of our moms that means pumping for many weeks or even months before actual nursing is possible. Many of the moms are happy to have something they can actually do for their baby. Others are too stressed and have a lot of trouble with pumping. We have them all meet with lactation, just to go over their options and to talk about the benefits of breastmilk, especially with sick babies. But if they choose to formula feed, even if their baby is a 400gm preemie - then that's the end of the discussion. This is why Similac and Enfamil make special preemie formulas only available to hospitals.

I plan to bottle feed my kids. It's my personal decision. I know all about the special benefits of breastmilk - heck I go to conferences and read journal articles that talk about it all the time. I just have never had an ounce of interest in breastfeeding or pumping. Maybe it's the fact that I was bottle fed, as was every kid in my extended family. Maybe it's the fact that I will probably have to be back to work full-time within 2 months. Maybe it's because I want to have some breaks for myself after the baby comes, and to let my husband and family also share in the joy of feeding the baby instead of always being on the bottom end. Could very possibly be the six hours I spent in surgery having a breast reduction that left me with lots of external keloid scars and internal fibrous ones, plus the fact that both my GYNE and plastic surgeon agree that I will most likely get mastitis if I attempt breastfeeding due to all that scarring. It might be a subconscious defense mechanism, since there's a good chance I might have to adopt and will therefore not have much choice in the matter anyways.

One thing I am sure about - when I go back to work and don't pump, it will be downright scandalous.

:imbar

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

One thing I am sure about - when I go back to work and don't pump, it will be downright scandalous.:imbar

Let's just beat you now and get it over with, shall we?chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

Love your list of reasons why you aren't interested in trying. Could have written that myself, about myself. One thing I would add to the list: I grew up on a farm. We had a small herd of milk cows and after watching THOSE milking machines and washing them out as part of my chores, no way jose to pumping for me.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Let's just beat you now and get it over with, shall we?chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

Love your list of reasons why you aren't interested in trying. Could have written that myself, about myself. One thing I would add to the list: I grew up on a farm. We had a small herd of milk cows and after watching THOSE milking machines and washing them out as part of my chores, no way jose to pumping for me.

:rotfl: There is alot of truth to that. I had a big electric pump which worked great and pumped both breasts at the same time . . .but you just had to laugh at yourself as you glanced down. :chuckle

I'm lucky that I stayed home with my older kids, before I became a nurse. I had my last child as a surprise in my 40's as most of you know. I decided to only work part-time. My in-laws care for my son when I work during the week and if I work a weekend, he just stays home with Dad and siblings.

I went back to work when he was 4 months old and even part-time just about broke my heart. He is 4 years old now - time has gone by so fast.

steph

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

Let's just beat you now and get it over with, shall we?chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

Very cute!

Love your list of reasons why you aren't interested in trying. Could have written that myself, about myself. One thing I would add to the list: I grew up on a farm. We had a small herd of milk cows and after watching THOSE milking machines and washing them out as part of my chores, no way jose to pumping for me.

I'm "half Wisconsin" as I like to say - dad grew up there - and I've been on many a farm. I've seen milking done by machines and humans. Neither technique appeals to me! The irony in all of this is that I am a dairy addict - I'm all about milk and cheese, baby!!!

[mstigerlily]

I think it is impossible to think that a well educated nurse, who knows the numerous benefits of breastfeeding to both mom and baby, can agree with someone who just chooses not to breastfeed their newborn. It is our job to support the mother in whichever decision she makes, and to help her do what needs to be done. However, we are not robots and I'm sure that sometimes a nurse's personal beliefs may show through his/her professional persona. In my personal opinion, someone who will not put the well being of their child above themselves is selfish and I can't help but disagree with them, and "look down" on them, but I will not let that show or interfere with my patient-client relationship.

Oh my - what an astounding comment! Well, I provide formula to my postpartum patients frequently - usually for supplementation but occasionally for the sole food source. I like to think of myself as intelligent and educated. I am an ADN now working on my BSN (2nd bachelor's degree) and also my CLE. MANY of our postpartum staff are CLE, PHN, and/or IBCLC certified, our breastfeeding statistics are so good - we have about 350 births a month and 95% are breastfeeding at discharge and more astoundingly on follow up surveys - 50% at six months which is above the national average. But I don't know a single solitary nurse out of the hundreds that staff our L&D/postpartum floors who "looks down on" the 5% who choose to bottlefeed, or the numerous others who supplement from day one due to preference or troubles breastfeeding. I can assure you we are all intelligent and well educated. I personally have breastfeed two of my kids well into toddlerhood, I am extremely supportive of breastfeeding.

Formula, after all, is still food. A mother is not neglecting her child providing formula. Yes, formula is an inferior food to breastmilk, but food all the same. There are many things nurses have to deal with. In OB and NICU and peds, you will see drug addicted mothers and babies, abuse cases where parents have abused their kids, neglected their babies. In trauma, OR and med-surg floors you will have to care for victims - and perpetrators - of violent crime which could include spouse and child abusers, rapists, gang members, drug dealers and users, drunk drivers. Depending on where you work, this could happen a lot, you may have a sheriff standing outside your patient's door. Many times your patient may be downright rude, combative and unpleasant, just a nasty individual. There are going to be many more challenges as nurse than whether someone has given breastmilk or Similac!! You are not going to approve of all your patient's choices - and you are not going to LIKE all your patients. But luckily, being a nurse does not require that, it only requires that you provide competent, safe care to all your patients in a professional manner.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

Formula, after all, is still food. A mother is not neglecting her child providing formula. Yes, formula is an inferior food to breastmilk, but food all the same. There are many things nurses have to deal with. In OB and NICU and peds, you will see drug addicted mothers and babies, abuse cases where parents have abused their kids, neglected their babies. In trauma, OR and med-surg floors you will have to care for victims - and perpetrators - of violent crime which could include spouse and child abusers, rapists, gang members, drug dealers and users, drunk drivers. Depending on where you work, this could happen a lot, you may have a sheriff standing outside your patient's door. Many times your patient may be downright rude, combative and unpleasant, just a nasty individual. There are going to be many more challenges as nurse than whether someone has given breastmilk or Similac!! You are not going to approve of all your patient's choices - and you are not going to LIKE all your patients. But luckily, being a nurse does not require that, it only requires that you provide competent, safe care to all your patients in a professional manner.

Great post! You're right - there are so many bad things nurses face everyday. Really, as long as the mother is taking good care of her baby, what does it matter to the nurse whether mom is breastfeeding or giving formula? I'd much rather see a healthy mom decide to bottlefeed than see a drug-addicted one decide to breastfeed! The baby is being well cared for, it's just a different source of nutrition is all. It is so judgemental to have these blinders on where you can't see that formula is also an option and it doesn't mean that the mom is selfish or that she doesn't have her baby's health in mind. It's just a choice.

One other thing I have to point out...

For all the women that CAN'T breastfeed, due to things like adoption or medications the mother must take for HER health that are dangerous to the baby - how do you think this kind of argument makes them feel? Like, "Oh, it's okay you're giving inferior formula, honey, you don't have a choice." NO! It should be, "Your baby will grow and thrive wonderfully on the top-notch formulas that are produced these days." They shouldn't feel guilty that they aren't breastfeeding, and their happiness should not be hampered by all this talk that breastmilk is soooooooooooooo much better than formula.

Yeah, it's better, we get that. But formula is excellent nutrition as well and for the sake of these special moms, I think it's nice to point that out.

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

Yeah, it's better, we get that. But formula is excellent nutrition as well and for the sake of these special moms, I think it's nice to point that out.

Right on! It's not like they are pouring gasoline down these babies throats!:rotfl: It has plenty of vitamins and nutrients to produce a happy healthy baby whether the child is bottlefed by design or by choice.

[ShannonB25]

Just wanted to state my stance real quickly on this, which is basically that it's not my job to decide what any decision is for a mom. Be it whether to nurse or bottle-feed, to have an epidural or labor without analgesia, my job (and I feel the only appropriate thing to do) is to relay the options- ALL the options- to the mom, and then support her in whatever she decides. I'm not there to judge. I will help provide teaching regarding BF in as unbiased a manner as possible simply to clear up any misconceptions for mom, but it's merely because I feel teaching is part of my role as a nurse, thus it's the right thing to do for my patients. I am wholeheartedly in support of BF as I nursed both my boys and plan to nurse future babies, so if a woman chooses to BF I'll all but applaud her and do all I can to help in her attempts. By the same token though, if I have a mom who doesn't choose that route I don't change my attitude towards her, I just gear my teaching that way and away we go!

Just my two cents...