Anyone else stressing out about whether or not to breast feed?? 😩

Question

I have horrible anxiety AND I am just extremely uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding. But there is so much pressure to do it these days .im honestly more stressed about that than I am about labor ! All I can think about is when the doctor sets my baby on my chest for the first time and then the nurses and everyone will be watching to see if I start breast feeding or not . And if my baby starts moving like she is looking for my nipple , it's gonna kill me , for 2 reasons . (1): I'll feel guilty for not breastfeeding (2): my anxiety will be through the roof . I am so eager to meet my baby but also dreading the moment I HAVE to decide between Formula and breast feeding . I keep trying to tell myself that breastfeeding is free and natural ..etc. but just the thought of it makes me cringe . And seeing photos of other women breastfeeding really weirds me out . (I completely support women who choose breastfeeding, more power to them! ) just the thought of having something latched to my Boob makes me very uneasy . Everyone just tells me to "try it !" Like it's no big deal at all . I wish so badly that I wasn't weird about it because I can see that it is a bonding time with baby. But I don't know if I can get myself to do it 😞

Answer

I was more stressed about breastfeeding than labor as well. They make formula for a reason.
I did skin to skin and breastfeed as soon as she came out it wasn't bad at all. Then my nipples got cracked and bled and I was losing my mind in so much pain I flipped shit every time she cried because I knew she was hungry and I was in so much pain. So I applied cream and pumped the pump feels so much better youre in alot better control and doesn't hurt. I also supplement with formula on occasion I'm in nursing school and just delivered two weeks ago so I don't have a milk supply saved up yet.
Good luck mama it'll all fall into place

Answer

I had my baby 3 weeks ago. And breastfeeding sucks. I cried and cried and cried almost every night for the first week because I just hated it, then I felt guilty for hating it. It hurt.  Then I spoke with baby's pediatrician about it. He said the best way to feed your baby is the way that you are less stressed out, and formula is actually pretty good stuff. And remember, formula fed babies go to kindergarten too :) honestly, do what your comfortable with! I ended up giving up breastfeeding and we are both so much happier.

Answer

Do whatever is best for you! It's more important that your baby is actually fed. 
Plus, anxiety can effect your let down, so if you're super stressed and uncomfortable it won't be a good environment to feed your baby in and can actually stop you from being able to feed properly. 
 You can still bottle feed and bond with your baby. Make sure you cuddle up to baby when bottle feeding, you could even do it whilst skin to skin for extra bonding. I had to bottle feed my eldest as she just wouldn't take my breast. I don't think I'm any more bonded to my LO that I'm breastfeeding now than I was to my eldest. Also, bottle feeding also meant my SO could feed our eldest, which gave him bonding time too and that was really nice.
Just so what you are comdortable and don't let any one else tell you any different!

Answer

I agree with you 100%! I feel the same way. For some reason breastfeeding makes me so uncomfortable. I support everyone who does it and commend them all but I just don't think it's for me. I try so hard as well to look at the facts that breastfeeding has more benefits but can't seem to get myself to want to do that over formula. In my head I decided I want to just formula feed but every time someone asks me especially doctors I feel the need to just say oh I haven't decided yet. I definitely feel pressured to do it because of how much it's forced. I'm trying to look at it though like it's my choice. This is my baby and I will raise him how I want too. Breastfeeding isn't for everyone. And everyone is always going to have their opinions and comments but if my baby is being fed that's what really matters. Regardless of if it's formula or breastmilk.

Answer

I breastfeed exclusively, no bottles. My little  one is only 2 months old and im barely getting the hang of it. But it was/is hard! I cried the first 2 weeks because it was all so painful and physically demanding. And its been such a huge sacrifice. Besides the obvious like switching my sexy push ups for nursing bras, the leaking 24/7, and adjusting my diet to a healthier one (watching caffeine, spicy, greasy, etc) and watching what medicines I take. But Ive actually just started to embrace it and enjoy it. Yes it can be frustrating that no one else can help me feed her, but I also get to enjoy her and have her to myself in a room full of people that want to hold her. And it does get easier as you go. 
Of course my hubby has been great too so he doesnt make me feel like a cow. 
I originally only did it because everyone around me forced me too. I honestly recommend you try it out, youre not losing anything. And if you do go to formula, you should look into formulas from Russia, Germany and the UK. The US puts alot of crazy ingredients in theres. Just a thought. 
But regardless as soon as baby is fed youre doing a good job! Take it easy and dont stress so much about it.

Answer

Do not let other people pressure you. If you want the baby to get breast milk you could always pump and feed. That's what my friend does. I breastfeed in the beginning but then my supply runs out and I supplement with formula. Listen, as long as the baby is healthy you do what's best for you and him/her. Congrats

Answer

I'm not breast feeding bacise of my anxiety. More specifically my anxiety meds. They've done studies on different doses of it, but I haven't seen any on the dosage I take. I refuse to take a chance of something happening to her, I'm not going to continue the meds I'm on now, I want my regular ones. So that's why I'm not breast feeding. And I get shit about it all the time, mostly from the ladies at WIC. But I try to let it go over me. Its my baby, my decision, and what I feel is best. Anyone who has an issue with it, can do different with their baby 🖕🏼. So do whatever youu want. Don't let anyone pressure youu into doing what youu don't want or make youu feel like you're making a bad decision. It's your baby, your choice, not anyone else's

Answer

I usta be 100% pro breastfeeding etc. But do what you're comfortable with!! Less stressed mom that Formula feeds is better than a irritable breast feeding mom, not say that would be you. I breastfed all 3 of my kids, this one as soon as my milk comes in I'm pumping and it's going in a bottle, before I go back to work I will introduce formula this works better for me and my family. Don't worry about other people, you live with your choices not them. As long as baby is getting fed that's all that should matter!

Answer

I never thought breastfeeding would be for me either but after my son was born it was really just natural instinct. I'd say try it but bring formula as back up to the hospital. You might feel more comfortable in the moment or it might not be for you. I've heard a lot of women say "breastfed babies are the best babies" but in reality fed are the best babies. There is no secret competition between moms who breastfeed or formula feed. Trust me!

Answer

I was 18 when I had my daughter and it sounded so weird to me also. But I tried it because I read about the benifets of doing it (plus it saves ALOT of money). But that being said I only was able to do it for about 2 weeks and then I gave up. It was so hard and she didn't want to latch on and my boobs hurt so bad so I gave up. 
Now I have had 3 more kids since then and I tried with every one, by the time I had my son(who just turned 2) I loved it !!  It doesn't seem weird and I did it for 6 months. I was so proud of myself and I actually missed it once it was over. 
Don't feel pressured, if you want to, then do it. If not then u are not alone, its hard and tiring and sometimes very frustrating. But whatever choice you make your baby will still be just fine. 
Even when I did breastfeed I didn't produce enough for my husband to do any feeding so when I was at work the baby would get formula. No matter what YOU GOT THIS. good luck and do what makes YOU comfortable, cause if your not happy baby is not happy.
Good luck sweets, xoxo💓👄💪

Anyone else stressing out about whether or not to breast feed?? 😩

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