The Case Against Breastfeeding

allnurses Guide · Mar 17, 2009

To be honest, I'm surprised it's come up more than once.
Pregnancy takes a toll on the breasts as the majority of breast growth occurs during pregnancy. The "merchandise" will reflect the process regardless of whether or not someone breastfeeds.

That is true. And just a little advice from someone over 50 . .. .breasts change.

And actually, I have a few friends who never were pregnant, never were overweight, are in their 50's now and their "merchandise" is not the same as when they were 20.

In fact, one friend and I shared a room for 2 1/2 weeks while on a mission trip and she asked me if it was alright if she spent her time in the nude while in the room (she is a naturalist type gal) . . .and I said no problem. However, I have to say her "merchandise" on that skinny bode was NOT perky and firm. :coollook:

Age changes the merchandise too. Our male friend may have to exchange his old merchandise for younger as HE ages. :clown:

I do hope he intends, if he does not want her to breastfeed, to be the 50% partner the author talks about. Getting up in the middle of the night every 2-3 hours to feed the baby for what might be months.

steph

tntrn, ASN, RN · Mar 17, 2009

It's almost as devisive a topic as politics!

allnurses Guide · Mar 17, 2009

I think breastfeeding is wonderful and I support it totally, but will not make a mom feel bad about her choice not to.
That said, the second my husband tells me that my merchandise is ruined because I breastfed his child, that is the second he will be finding himself sleeping on the couch for a L O N G time. For us, breastfeeding was as much about the money saved as anything, though once I started BFing, I would have happily continued for several years. (As it turned out, ds decided at about 15mo that he was done with Mom's boobs and off to explore that big bad world.)

This thread may turn into a bit of man-bashing . . . . but we just can't help it here.

I must say if my husband complained . . . . I'd have a few imperfect parts of his body to mention.

I'm lucky - my husband has never said anything derogatory about my body and for some strange reason still thinks I'm hot.

That's love. :redbeathe

steph

CreoleFromtheBoot · Mar 17, 2009

Yes breastfeeding is a beautiful thing. Of course, a fed child is a beautiful thing considering how many children die of starvation in this world so I don't think it should matter how that child gets nutrition. Breast? Bottle? Who cares.

Nascar Nurse... is that how you see breastfeeding? Comparable to going to the bathroom? Just curious...

allnurses Guide · Mar 17, 2009

It's almost as devisive a topic as politics!

Or circumcision. :eek:

steph

yelnikmcwawa · Mar 17, 2009

Give me a break! Yeah...formula feeders get the short stick:banghead:. I breast fed for 22 months and the whole time I got stared at in public if, heaven forbid, my son needed to eat. And by god, I always covered up and went off to a private place, but even then I got looks. I was told by my mother inlaw that there was proabably something wrong with my milk since my kid spit up a lot. And I have had countless people let me know that they think I breastfed too long because there is something "weird" about a toddler nursing. Well, I don't recall asking any of them for their opinion:angryfire. If you ask me, breast feeders still get the short stick, and this woman has nothing else to whine about.

It is a choice and you need to feel comfortable about your own choice. If you don't, then you most likely are having second thoughts about what you chose, or you don't have a network of supportive people. Either way...something might need to be changed in that case!:smiley_ab

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 17, 2009

I'm lucky - my husband has never said anything derogatory about my body and for some strange reason still thinks I'm hot.

I know, right? It is very nice.

I am sooo blessed, because dh supported my BFing from day one, 100%. Of course, the time and place where he grew up, everybody breastfed and it's the most natural, normal thing to do.

Ditto for my stepfather. He even researched and bought me a breastpump as a shower gift. Now that is an awesome dad. As he put it, "That used to be the best way to shut up a crying baby in church!"

Or circumcision.

LALALALALALA, I'm not listening!!

2curlygirls · Mar 17, 2009

My ex husband is a shallow as they come but he supported BF'ing totally. I think the fact that I was back to pre pregnancy weight in 3 weeks with both kids helped.

Any the money saved helped too. Formula is really expensive!

CreoleFromtheBoot · Mar 17, 2009

I BF'ed both my children for over a year and dh supported it 100%. Of course it saved us a lot of money and that ALWAYS puts a smile on his face.

Hands&Feet · Mar 17, 2009

For us, breastfeeding was as much about the money saved as anything

Yeah, really! I couldn't afford to feed my kids formula even if I wanted to.

I do take issue with "Breast-feeding exclusively is not like taking a prenatal vitamin. It is a serious time commitment that pretty much guarantees that you will not work in any meaningful way." Gee thanks! How is the work I did before & during pregnancy any different than the work I was doing while pumping? Umm, not at all!! I just had to stay longer to cover any extra time I took to pump!

And as far as the husband getting to shirk any of his responsibilities . . . I always looked forward to coming home and breastfeeding. It meant I got to sit down and relax on the couch while he cooked dinner, cleaned, etc.

allnurses Guide · Mar 17, 2009

Give me a break! Yeah...formula feeders get the short stick:banghead:. I breast fed for 22 months and the whole time I got stared at in public if, heaven forbid, my son needed to eat. And by god, I always covered up and went off to a private place, but even then I got looks. I was told by my mother inlaw that there was proabably something wrong with my milk since my kid spit up a lot. And I have had countless people let me know that they think I breastfed too long because there is something "weird" about a toddler nursing. Well, I don't recall asking any of them for their opinion:angryfire. If you ask me, breast feeders still get the short stick, and this woman has nothing else to whine about.
It is a choice and you need to feel comfortable about your own choice. If you don't, then you most likely are having second thoughts about what you chose, or you don't have a network of supportive people. Either way...something might need to be changed in that case!:smiley_ab

You make a great point!

All of us need to stop trying to tell each other what to do.

Breastfeeding is normal and natural (not a bathroom issue:down:). And those who don't want to breastfeed can do so without feeling they are doing a disservice to their kids.

Heck, my mom didn't breastfeed me and I'm fine. :smokin:

steph

PICNICRN, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2009

I had my first while working in the NICU and I thought I had no other choice but to breast feed even though I was not 100% sure it would be for me--- how could I not??? Well, it lasted 2 weeks. 2 long weeks of crying and feeling like a complete failure and feeling totally unconfortable in my own skin.

I finally called a coworker friend who happened to be a lactation consultant. She asked me "why are you doing this?" Well, I was doing it because I did not want to feel ashamed to tell people that I gave my baby formula. After about an hour and a TON of tears... I gave it up right after getting off the phone with her. I just needed someone to tell me that it was OK if I did not breastfeed. That I was NOT a bad mother for not feeling "natural".

I was happy, my son was happy and FULL, and we bonded just fine!! He is the picture of health. When I had my daughter, I went through no guilt- just checked the box that said-"formula"!

I do think that many moms are "guilted" into breastfeeding rather than doing it because it is what they really want to do. It is really hard work and it is not for everyone- doesn't mean that you are giving your child any less by not breastfeeding. :twocents: