? About not breastfeeding

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

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!

Specializes in critical care transport.

My SIL didn't want to because "it grossed her out." I think my brother even may have had some "turf" issues to think of breasts as being something that actually had a function instead of eye candy. It would've been cheaper, and my SIL wasn't on any meds. Just like someone else said, though, if they take care of the kid and not neglect him, then that's what really counts. I BF, and I enjoyed NOT making bottles and buying formula, and would do it that way again. And there are bigger fish to fry besides bottle vs. breast, anyways, although it's hard for someone to understand why a mom wouldn't do something that was best for her baby if it were in her power to do so.

Specializes in ER, Tele, L&D. ICU.

UGH- I have had a couple dads (I want to use the term loosely here!) that said they are willing to 'loan out' his breasts for the baby to eat-blah! My mom last week said it was disgusting to have a newborn sucking at her "t*t" (her words, not mine!) when she is used to seeing her BF's head there-Man, I wished more people would think before they open their dirty little mouths!

UGH- I have had a couple dads (I want to use the term loosely here!) that said they are willing to 'loan out' his breasts for the baby to eat-blah! My mom last week said it was disgusting to have a newborn sucking at her "t*t" (her words, not mine!) when she is used to seeing her BF's head there-Man, I wished more people would think before they open their dirty little mouths!

I recently had a pt who said to me, "I don't think my baby likes my t*ttie cause he won't suck it." He was only a few hours old and still in his newborn 'fog' as I call it. When he did wake up, he liked her breast just fine! Matter of fact, I wish they all breastfed as well as he did!

Specializes in ER, Tele, L&D. ICU.
I recently had a pt who said to me, "I don't think my baby likes my t*ttie cause he won't suck it." He was only a few hours old and still in his newborn 'fog' as I call it. When he did wake up, he liked her breast just fine! Matter of fact, I wish they all breastfed as well as he did!

Renee-

That is funny you say that because that is what I call it-the newborn fog. I try to explain to mom, you know how tired you are, well he is alert for a couple of hours after and then takes a little snooze (the hardest breastfeeding time, I think) Once they reach that 24h mark, you can't get them OFF the breast-which is great!

I had a couple from Nigeria tell me that GOd made babies very sleepy after birth to give mom a chance to rest. He said in their country the mom and baby sleep close together-skin-to-skin-for the first day and then they begin to feed the next day. Makes sense really considering how tired mom and babe are.

Renee-

That is funny you say that because that is what I call it-the newborn fog. I try to explain to mom, you know how tired you are, well he is alert for a couple of hours after and then takes a little snooze (the hardest breastfeeding time, I think) Once they reach that 24h mark, you can't get them OFF the breast-which is great!

I had a couple from Nigeria tell me that GOd made babies very sleepy after birth to give mom a chance to rest. He said in their country the mom and baby sleep close together-skin-to-skin-for the first day and then they begin to feed the next day. Makes sense really considering how tired mom and babe are.

Thats a really nice explanation:) Very sweet.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Aww that is VERY sweet, Superfly. I LOVE IT.

Specializes in NICU.

I agree. That is a beautiful explaination. :)

Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
Hi there,

I was the original poster on this thread and even though I haven't responded much,(I am 8 months pregnant myself) I have been reading. I was just wondering what everyone thought about exclusively pumping moms??

I exclusivly pump due to latch problems. I am doing this for 4 months now. It is exhausting since you have to feed AND pump in the middle of the night. I understand why a lot of people don't do this. I feel breast milk is important so I do it...

Specializes in ER, Tele, L&D. ICU.
I exclusivly pump due to latch problems. I am doing this for 4 months now. It is exhausting since you have to feed AND pump in the middle of the night. I understand why a lot of people don't do this. I feel breast milk is important so I do it...

Is latching now a lost cause? By 4 months I know babes are pretty set in their ways, but.. I know it is exhausting because you are essentially double feeding. Is your dh/so able to do the feeding once you are done pumping or is that not an option? (Just to give you some much-needed rest.):o

Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
Is latching now a lost cause? By 4 months I know babes are pretty set in their ways, but.. I know it is exhausting because you are essentially double feeding. Is your dh/so able to do the feeding once you are done pumping or is that not an option? (Just to give you some much-needed rest.):o

Latching is a lost cause now. She latched for a little while but couldn't suck hard enough or fit enough of the breast in the mouth to get enough milk. (She came a little early and was very small) For a while I BF, then bottle fed expressed milk, then pumped. She quit trying 2 months ago. I started burning out really fast- hallucinating from lack of sleep after two weeks of it. Its hard to recover from child birth when you get less than 2 hours of broken sleep a night. :rolleyes: I am very lucky to have a huge over supply of milk so I prepare all of the bottles before bed. DH was kind enough to help with the night feedings then. After about a month I just couldn't take it anymore so now he does all of the night feedings. He gets up to feed (about 3 times between 9pm and 6am each time for less than 10 minutes) and I get up to pump 5 times for 1/2 each time during that time. I feel so much better now! Exclusivly pumping is more than exhausting especially if you don't have help. I would not plan on doing this before giving breastfeeding your best shot. It would seem so easy to feed dd "from the tap" instead of spending hours a day pumping, sterilizing pump parts and bottles, driving while pumping, and taking the pump with me everywhere I go. But to me, it is worth it. For me, I feel it is better than giving my dd formula. Its only one year I have to do this. We will both reap the benefits for the rest of our lives if I can just stick it out 8 more months. Do you hear my pump running now? :roll

Breastfeeding is a positive thing to do for you and your baby. I understand if there are feeding problems... but moms who are to lazy to breast feed b/c its inconvinient really bother me. I hear some mothers say things such as," I don't want to breast feed I want my husband to take care of the baby." WHY did you have a child!? Bottom line it is the best thing to do for your baby. Yes formula is better than starving but it doesn't make it anywhere near as good for you as breastmilk.

You must be one of those nurses... as for moms being too lazy to breast feed, I think that is a judgement on your part. Are you going to be the one going home with that baby -- NO! Breast feeding does have benefits far above those of formula, but as for it being the best thing for the baby I truly believe that is relative to individual patients. I would further like to add that I was formula feed and I formula feed my daughter. She is a perfectly healthy 2yr old. I can count on one hand the number of times she has been sick. I don't know where you get off thinking that just because something isn't the very best it isn't acceptable at all.

Specializes in ER, Tele, L&D. ICU.
You must be one of those nurses... as for moms being too lazy to breast feed, I think that is a judgement on your part. Are you going to be the one going home with that baby -- NO! Breast feeding does have benefits far above those of formula, but as for it being the best thing for the baby I truly believe that is relative to individual patients. I would further like to add that I was formula feed and I formula feed my daughter. She is a perfectly healthy 2yr old. I can count on one hand the number of times she has been sick. I don't know where you get off thinking that just because something isn't the very best it isn't acceptable at all.

I think it was misinterpreted what StuNurseUp was saying was mom's that are too lazy to breastfeed annoy her. Not judging them, but makinga statement. I have had mom's say that they do not wish to BF because she does not want sole responsibility of feedings. I don't think she was judging them and saying they are lazy. Some moms outright admit it-they cannot be bothered. Mom's that choose not to breastfeed can get very defensive because I am sure they have heard it all and, after all, it is their child, their decision. Some pro-breastfeeders can be very accusatory and manipulative which is very unfair to an emotionally drained, hormonal new mom.:(

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