Scared to Breastfeed

the best thing about having a baby is that they’re your baby and you get to choose what they eat and how. i personably hated nursing as well so i tried exclusively pumping and tbh it was hell on earth. between the schedule and washing the parts and being stuck to the wall for basically 5 hours a day i couldn’t do it! i’m now formula feeding and my baby is THRIVING! he’s doing so well and meeting his milestones tell them it’s not their body so it’s not their choice

No!!! I am the exact same… I admire the fact people can do it, but it physically can’t bring myself to! I have sensitivity issues too, I felt the exact same… literally could be reading back something I typed out myself

My biggest point was that I’d hate to dread feeding my own child. She’s yours, everyone else is irrelevant x

This is completely your decision and a fed baby is best!!! Do what you are most comfortable with. If you WANT your baby to have breast milk, try exclusively pumping if you’re hesitant to the physical aspect. I exclusively pump and i love it

As long as your baby is eating, it’s not anyone’s concern how it’s happening. You do what you need to do.

@grace you're so right! My baby! I'm so glad to hear your baby is thriving. I'm glad you found something that works for the both of you and thank you so much for your words

I personally never had an issue with breastfeeding, but again that’s me. If you don’t want to nurse, you do not have to. It doesn’t matter if anyone thinks that you’re odd for being grossed out. It is your body and if you want to exclusively pump, combo feed, or just do formula as the mother that is your choice. It seems like nursing would effect you deeply so why do it? You gotta stay firm in your choice for what’s best for you and baby. And people can get on board or shut up, your body your choice. You got this

@Jay I'm so glad to hear that someone else has the same issue! It sucks because I would love to be able to do that for my baby, but I just can't bring myself to. Thank you so much for your words🩵

@Jessica I'm so glad to hear that pumping to feed works for you and your daughter. That gives me hope that me and my little bean will be able to work through that. Thank you for your words of encouragement!

I am breast feeding now and I kinda hate it. I think it’s really unfair how hard it is pushed by family doctors etc. Being a mom is hard enough, and you should 100% do what is most confortable to you!!!!!! Also formula feed babies are literally fine, i don’t actually think there are that many draw backs in terms of babies heath or anything. you shouldn’t feel guilty or like your depriving your baby of anything by not breast feeding!!! Do what feels best for you!!!

From experience is not a thing for me if I have another one I definitely won’t be breastfeeding. Not to scare you. But my daughter had a strong grip to where not even 24 hours into breast feeding my nipples were bleeding and was told I wasn’t aloud to switch to formula (which is a lie) my doctor told me if I switch back n forth, it would make it a big chance of her dying just to scare me and make me change my mind. So I get where u are coming from I stopped feeding at like 3 months me mentally I couldn’t do it. If u don’t think it’s for you. You don’t have to do it. Formula or pumping Isn’t gonna make your baby die any faster then breast milk. As long as your baby is being feed it’s fine. I would tell your family it’s your body, and your baby if u wanna pump then go ahead and pump. It’s your baby and body.

You’re not going to be a successful parent if everytime you feed you hate it- and also breastfeeding is actually really hard work, rarely straightforward and you have to want to do it. I’m currently breastfeeding and personally love it, but it’s not for everyone, it’s time consuming. Get yourself a hands free pump and feed expressed milk if that feels like a good option for you. If not, feed formula. The most important thing is your baby is fed, happy and healthy and that you are happy and healthy, not hating every moment of nourishing your child. Stand your ground and tell your family to back off x

Hey, I feel once you have the baby, you may feel differently. You may not feel differently, but you would be surprised how your hormones and your thought processes change after you have the baby and once you try to breast-feed. Now if you’re completely against it, that’s fine, I breastfed my baby initially but with introducing a bottle, she stopped wanting the breast and only the bottle. So I’m an exclusive pumper since basically day one. But it’s your choice, I say give yourself the chance to try but also don’t worry about other people’s opinions. If it doesn’t work out for you, it doesn’t work. if you want to exclusively pump, there’s no difference, actually there’s more work in exclusive pumping and if you decide to feed a baby formula, that’s your decision as well.

I thought I'd feel like that but honestly the feeling of your baby feeding is nothing like someone touching them sexually. Just try it so you don't regret not doing down the line, that's my advice x

Honestly I was the same BUT I really wanted to try breastfeeding and it went completely 180! It’s not the same sensation at all and whilst I was BF I hated my husband touching them. It’s only since I’ve stopped BF that I’m comfortable with it again in the bedroom However! If YOU don’t want to BF then don’t! Or if you do want to try but then decide it’s not for you that’s fine 😊 It’s a big commitment BF, so don’t let them guilt you, it’s not them going through it ❤️

Boob play was big for me. Didn’t think I’d be able to breastfeed. Decided to try it and baby refused bottles completely. Still nursing her at 2 1/2 years old. It’s a different feeling completely. If you decide to try it, I bet you’ll never feel weird or gross about it! I thought the exact same as you. Obviously nothing wrong with deciding not to from the get go though!

@Brooke I’d love to too but I just can’t. I feel guilty today as I’m 3 days postpartum and my milk has just come in… baby girl has also been struggling eating as she hates certain bottles, I feel horrid that I’m making it hard for her!!! My partner reassured me that breastfeeding would be just as hard, but I just lay there thinking I could easily be feeding you right now😩😩😩

@jay do what's best for you and your baby! If you want to try bf then do it. But if you don't don't beat yourself up mama! You got this

Don’t let anyone pressure you one way or the other. You may feel differently closer to the time or you may not, but all that matters is YOU. It’s absolutely okay to bottle feed right away, and even to try breastfeeding and decide it’s not for you. And remember that no matter what you do somebody is going to have a problem with it so don’t be afraid to set firm boundaries with your family that it is your decision.

So biggest thing. If you don’t wanna breastfeed. Don’t. Most of the time family wants best for you and your baby. So if you decided not to hopefully they could understand your choices long what’s best for your mental health and that should be the most important thing. I’ve nursed my son for 18 months and I can tell you it’s a hard task. I’ve heard that for night time pumping can be harder because you actually have to get up to do it. But either requires you to be that main person feeding your baby. Now that does allow for a close bond for mommy and baby and that’s amazing. The weirdness went away for me after a month. I honestly was so tired it just became routine and for me I’m proud I’ve done it.. once your nipples aren’t as sore and you feel more like yourself. You don’t get turned on from nursing but couple things can still turn you on. It wasn’t a normal thing for me I had a lot of family weirded out that I did it but honestly after so long anything becomes a norm.

I honestly felt similar to this before baby. I’ve always been pretty sensitive and I thought I would hate breastfeeding. It is hard and it does take a toll on you mentally and physically. So that is something to consider. Don’t do it to please other people. And honestly some people can’t breast feed. I wanted to wait to see if I could to make a decision for myself. It definitely creates a special bond tho. It also makes it harder for others to help you feed the baby (unless you pump which I’m going to start soon). So all of the night feeds will be on you. I was up feeding at 2am crying last night, because it is hard. But it is worth it.

I thought the same I have huge sensitivity issues and my nipples are extremely sensitive and I’ was so stressed and appalled by the idea of nursing but here I am my baby is breastfed. I nurse and pump and honestly not sure what changed ..my mind suddenly shifted the second I saw him I knew I wanted to nurse, we had a hard time latching at first so I exclusively pumped for about a month and then suddenly he had the want to nurse again so now I do both and it’s the best accomplishment I’ve ever had it’s so rewarding knowing I am his source of nutrition but it’s not all or nothing you can do a combo of nursing, pumping or none and chose formula there’s no wrong way momma just do the best you can 🫶🏼

Fed is best. If breastfeeding is causing you anxiety and stress it won’t be the best route for you to take. There are multiple options to keep your baby fed and healthy without stressing you out.. if you’re feeling this much anxiety about breastfeeding your supply may not be great. You do what is best for you and baby, fed is best. It doesn’t matter how you feed your child. Don’t let others put so much pressure on you babe

Normal thought. Motherhood though...changes your brain. But it's always your choice. Choose not to discuss it...if asked you can say that's a good question. I'll let you know when baby is born. Or you can say right now I'm focused on the health of baby growing. P.S Don't be scared. You'll be surprised how life can change for now focus only on loving those little legs, arms and sweet face you'll be seeing. A precious time. Worry about nothing else. Just know you can do this thing called motherhood. 💜

NO ONE OTHER THAN YOU (your partner included) should have an opinion on how you feel is best for you to feed your baby. Breastfeeding is one of the most intimate and demanding decisions a mother can make. Yes, I breastfeed for the health benefits but I am never going to say it is easy in the beginning or a constant joy at 3 am and I am the only person who can feed my daughter. A fed baby is the best baby, and a happy mama is the best mama. You need to figure out what method is best for you and your child. Hold firm in your decision. They will get over it.

@Anna last line is funny and true lol

You don’t have to do it. It’s not for everyone and pumping/formula would be just fine for your baby.

I felt the EXACT same way you just described before I gave birth to my baby that feeling came and went and the stress of breast-feeding and not liking the feeling of him latching, I only lasted five weeks breast-feeding, and I started supplementing a little before that and switched over to just formula and it has helped me so much, it made being a mom so much enjoyable once I switched over to just formula and when my supply dried up. If you decide to do it, just keep telling yourself one more week until you can’t do it anymore because the first few weeks breastmilk is very beneficial. But don’t be hard on yourself because I felt that exact same way! And do what you think is best, not your family!!

To each their own & fed is best. Just don't shame others for breastfeeding even if you see it in public. Also pumping is breastfeeding

@Miss M why did you pump to store if you don't feed it to baby? Just wondering cause I hate pumping and struggle to find the time so hats off to you lol

@Miss M ooh I get you haha, seriously well done I have no motivation to make time to do it 🤣