Do any of you?

[Laura--x]

Ever regret not breastfeeding?

This is not aimed at people who tried bf and it didnt work, or those who couldnt bf for health/personal reasons ect.

Maybe im on my own here. I never attempted to breastfeed. Looking back, i was selfish. All i thought about was me, how i didnt want to do it in public,how i wanted people to help me out ( and not having to pump! ) ect things like that.

Looking back, i regret it terribly and actually feel really dissapointed in myself for thinking like that and not even attempting to give it a go.

I will definately bf my others (if i can), and now i feel like ive 'missed out' on a big part of my babys life, that 'bond' i always here through breastfeeding.

Maybe im on my own, i dunno.

 

[littletobyj]

Hiya, I think that you are being quite hard on yourself, I didn't bf- I don't think my little one was any worse off for it, there are pro's and cons to both. My son was premature so it was important that I was able to monitor how much milk he took from the word go. In the first few days he fed every 3 hours and the midwives had to ensure that he took at least 1ml every time. I would have had no way of doing this with bfeeding. This kind of set the tone for the first 6 months until he went onto solids-with formula we were able to ensure he took the right amount of milk-it became our yard stick of how well he was feeling as it never turned down his milk! Also formula put me and my other half on the same level playing field I think even with expressing breast milk your other half is still going to feel like he is left out of the loop somewhat!!! I do know a couple of mums who have tried it and it hasn't worked out!!

 

[mamalove]

I don't regret not breastfeeding,i lasted 3 months i think with twins,and 2 with my daughter.I never thought about it much,it was natural for ME to feed MY babies,i never made a big deal out of it...it's just ...normal,it's nothing out of this world,and people make out it is ..it's just natural.

 

[mumtosam]

I breastfed Sam for 4 months and have to say I found it so hard. You always hear women saying how wonderful it is and how close it makes you feel to your baby but I didn't find this. I'm sure some people will think I am terrible for saying this but I really didn't enjoy breastfeeding and only did it because I wanted Sam to get all the goodness from my milk. I used to dread feeding him towards the end as he would scream and pull off and he was never satisfied. Everyone said it would get easier but it never did and I just couldn't do it anymore.I was feeling so down all the time and not enjoying being a mum. We are both a lot happier now Sam is on formula and I have nearly got over my guilt about switching. I will try and breastfeed my next baby and just hope it is easier next time but don't think there is anything wrong with formula feeding. You have to do what is best for your baby and for you.

 

[nessajane]

Not at all, im happy with the decisicion i made and will be FF next time too

 

[tricky nicky]

not for a moment!!!!
i was poorly 2 weeks after having alfie and had to go in hospital for a week, this would have made feeding him really hard as i wouldnt have been well enough to express.

 

[ChloesMummy]

Nope, dont regret it at all. I dont think I have any less of a bond or missed out because I did not BF . I love feeding Charlotte we cuddle up on the couch and her big brown eyes look up at me and every now and again she gives me cheeky little smiles, I love that it makes me melt! x

 

[Vicks]

I tried to BF from when Joe was born, but he fell asleep as soon as he latched on. We carried on trying for the 4 days I was in hospital and when I got home, as well as expressing, but as well as him sleeping, I couldn't express any

I always wanted to BF, but it's working well with bottles. I make sure we have a good cuddle after every feed and will try again with my next baby. I kinda beat myself up over it at first, but Joe is happy and feeding well on bottles which is the main thing.

 

[Happy]

I felt the same as you which is why I opted to FF, when Phoebe was a newborn I did feel guilty for not breast feeding and sometimes even now I think maybe I should have.

However when I really think about it I know FF was best for us.

 

[Laura--x]

I think the problem with me is i was always told feeding is the 'bonding' time between you and your baby.

maisie wont ever let me feed her holding her anymore I always have to do it in her bouncer!

 

[ChloesMummy]

That doesnt mean your bond is any less hun! You bond with her just by playing, talking and cuddling her any time of the day not just when feeding. I honetly dont believe that BF/FF means you have a lesser or greater bond. Its all about love and care which im sure you have more than enough of for Maisie, dont beat yourself up about in hun x

 

[faille]

I think the problem with me is i was always told feeding is the 'bonding' time between you and your baby.

maisie wont ever let me feed her holding her anymore I always have to do it in her bouncer!

She just wants to be independant hun, it's nothing to do with having a lesser bond because you ff her, it's nonsense! You're her mum, she'd love you regardless of how you feed her
She's just trying to do things on her own!

 

[bumpsmum]

I BF the first 10 weeks are found it really hard, I wished I had persevered a little longer but looking back it was for the best and Matthew is much more settled and content, he was pem and BF was just too tiring for us both. I do however, agree that the bond you have with Maisie is any less strong than a BF baby she is just exerting her independence Matthew wants to feed himself too but just cant manage too yet and gets frustrated x x

 

[Lu28]

I think the problem with me is i was always told feeding is the 'bonding' time between you and your baby.

maisie wont ever let me feed her holding her anymore I always have to do it in her bouncer!

Aww hon, ignore all that. There are so many ways to bond with your baby, bfing is just one of them. My cousin didn't bf for the same reasons as you and I've honestly never seen a child with as close and happy a relationship with their parent as those two, it's lovely to see. And honestly, it can be quite difficult to feel all warm and fuzzy about the bfing bond when LO is wriggling about, kicking you in the tummy and slapping you in the face, all while bfing!!

 

[lizardbreath]

I never would regret Formula Feeding it was a good decision for me and If i was to have another Child i would also Formula feed Just easier in my opinion

 

[premmiemum123]

Nobody should beat themselves up for not breastfeeding. It irritates me that there is so much support for breast feeding and non for formula feeding. It is forced upon us by the government and medical profession. For something that is meant to be so natural, it was the worst experience ever, trying to force my LO to breast feed was awful, she just didn't want to know and pumping into that damn machine was sole destroying - I had a relationship with a breastpump for 2.5 months and ended up with Lumbago as a result, as well as feeling depressed. I gave up and wished I had never started it, I only did because my baby was premature. When I gave up, a whole weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

If I have another baby I will go straight onto Formula feeds.

Please don't feel bad.

 

[lexy604]

Im really glad i read this post because I dont plan on breastfeeding and i feel like everyone has an opinion and i should feel bad for not doing it. This helped me feel a bit better about my decision.

 

[Laura--x]

Thanks for all your replies!!

I dont really beat myself up over bottle feeding now, its more so because of the fact that i didnt even give breastfeeding a try, didnt even attempt to do it, i just went straight to bottles with no real reason other than its easier for me. Thats what makes me feel a bit bad...

 

[lexy604]

Nobody should beat themselves up for not breastfeeding. It irritates me that there is so much support for breast feeding and non for formula feeding. It is forced upon us by the government and medical profession. For something that is meant to be so natural, it was the worst experience ever, trying to force my LO to breast feed was awful, she just didn't want to know and pumping into that damn machine was sole destroying - I had a relationship with a breastpump for 2.5 months and ended up with Lumbago as a result, as well as feeling depressed. I gave up and wished I had never started it, I only did because my baby was premature. When I gave up, a whole weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

If I have another baby I will go straight onto Formula feeds.

Please don't feel bad.

god bless you seriously this made me feel so much better

 

[tasha41]

Nope I don't regret not breastfeeding. I didn't even attempt it either.

I'm really secure with the bond we've formed, even though she can feed herself her bottle now too, and usually does while she's alert. We play together a lot. I cuddle her to sleep for her naps generally, I nap with her even, cosleep on rough nights with her when she needs me, etc.

And I am sure that you do tons of special things with Maisie also, so don't be so hard on yourself

I have a fantastic mother who also was a formula mommy with all 3 of us, didn't attempt breastfeeding either. I'm an intelligent, healthy girl who is well-loved.. so I don't feel one bit guilty about doing the same for my daughter