All the brilliant reasons why you should NOT breastfeed

Amy - posted on 12/30/2009

I had a "grandma" type person ask me when my son was two months old and nursing. . (.it was summer and too darn hot to cover us both up with a blanket. ). Can't YOU pump it out and feed it to him in a bottle??? He'd like it better I bet. . " Yeah right, Translation " My husband and all the dirty minded men are trying to get a glimpse of your boob. . .doesn't that bother you? Truth: I thought it would at first, but my desire to feed my child the best won out, and it didn't matter where or when, if he was hungry. . .we co slept for almost the first year, he was going to eat. . .We are expecting another this August. . I will be doing the same for that one too. . . but this one won't have to see a bottle since I have been home since April! LOL

Fallon - posted on 12/30/2009

My preemie twins lost a bit of weight after having the flu..i had had it as well..for about a week and a half and we had all lost a bit...my pediatrition told me I would have to supplement formula to get them back on track..which I didn't and they are perfectly fine now..

Amy - posted on 12/30/2009

That is just nuts!!! I would have killed her! not really, but my MIL is a little backwards and she NEVER would have done that!

I had someone ask me over the summer in 08 while my son was a few months old. ."Can't you pump out the milk and put it in a bottle for him???" What are they nuts?? My little one had a very hard time using bottles. . .he would wait sometimes five hours or more for mommy when our supply pumping got low, he WOULDN'T drink formula. Now I find out we are having another one in August of 2010 and I will exclusively BF this one too. . .Lost my job, so this one will not have to worry about ANY bottles!!! LOL

Julie - posted on 12/30/2009

I have breastfed all six of my children. One day we were having lunch out and my son wanted to breast feed. Over the years I have gotten very good at concealing it. We were in a corner booth and I had a blanket over him. A lady (I use that term loosely) stopped by our table and asked to see the baby and I said give me a second because he is feeding. She freaked out and demanded I go to the bathroom and feed him. I said sure, only if she would eat her lunch in there first.

Jessi - posted on 12/30/2009

love this thread!!

ive had soo many over the last few years!! my aunt "had to give up" at 6 weeks so every time i saw her after my oldest was about 2 months she was "so suprised your still breastfeeding!" etc.. so annoying! imagine her suprise when i saw her when my daughter was 11 months old and still going strong!

-my mil and sil never even tried breastfeeding so they assumed id be using a bottle. when they were informed we would be exclusively breastfeeding they just gave me a "wierdo!" look. or asking when id be putting baby on a bottle so they could keep her over night! umm.. NO!!

i had to feed my second pretty much all the time when she was newborn to 2 months because i had over active let down, so if i let it go for too long she would get really gassy and full of pain - was told to wean, because she would be healthier. and there must be something wrong with my milk if i had to nurse so much.

-whenever my baby is too shy to go to someone at my inlaws, or whenever she wants to come back to me when anyone else is holding her- "its because shes still breastfeeding and spends too much time with mommy" (dh works out of town so who the heck else is she supposed to spend time with?!?!)

-my dr told me not to pump "because that actually makes more milk you know" ..duh!!??

-she was nursing lots at about 2 months (growth spurt) and i was told many times that she wasnt getting enough and that i should give her formula.

-the night after i had my youngest i asked for help from a nurse because i was worried she wasnt getting enough because she would NOT stop bf and go to sleep-she wanted to suck and suck and suck. the nurse asked if i wanted her to give my baby some formula- i was like NO! i just wanted to know if it was something i was doing wrong!

-my friend was told BY A DR that since her baby was jaundiced she sould quit breastfeeding or it would make the baby retarted (pardon the word..thats what he said)



my 9 month old hates nursing under a blanket and i dont nurse in public without one so needless to say we were having a struggle..

my own mom says to me "i think its time to wean eh?!"

my baby is just getting her first tooth at 9 months and shes told me like 3 times that it should be time to wean soon beacuse otherwise im going to get bitten.

also seeing how much my daughter enjoys her sippy cup she said i bet if you tried to wean her now you wouldnt have much problems!! (tell that to my baby when she wants to nurse)

oh yeh!

also the numerous people who have said they didnt breastfeed because :

-it cramps their style (?!?!)

-they were too lazy

-it tied them down

-then no one else can look after baby

-annnd! that if the baby was a girl she wouldnt be breastfeeding because bf a girl is just wierd

soo many more but ill quit. there has been a lot of supportive people though! im so glad i educated myself before giving birth otherwise i probably would have listened to the naysayers.

Elanor - posted on 12/30/2009

Quoting Sigrid:

Quoting Nicole:

I'm not sure why, but people in a certain age category from a very specific area in this province have very strange beliefs about breastfeeding... so I have hear this more than once...

" Breastmilk is not as nutritious as formula. Look at it... half the time you can almost see through it. How is a baby supposed to grow properly off of that? Go ahead and breasfeed him, but you should always give him formula too. Think of your baby!!"... etc, etc...

We have horribly low breastfeeding rates around here... go figure.

Wow, Nicole!  That's terrible!  Breastmilk and formula have the same amount of calories per ounce.  Breastmilk does separate somewhat-- the hind milk is fattier than the foremilk-- that's why it sometimes looks thin.  Obviously none of these people have ever cracked open a medical journal and read a snippet of the countless amounts of research done on breastmilk vs formuia! 

Technically Breastmilk has MORE calories than formula, but is distributed better (as it's made for baby human's not baby cows!!)

Kat - posted on 12/30/2009

LOL I am small chested, so when I breastfed, I would hear, "Are you sure you have enough to feed your child?" or "You will be smaller than what you are, if that's possible."

Anneke - posted on 12/30/2009

I think Countney is me lol I agree with every single answer there. You have just discribed my life lol

Deana - posted on 12/30/2009

Quoting courtney :

i found this on a certain groupi joined on facebook...thought you guys may like it

Reasons I Didn't Formula Feed
By Marilyn

Everywhere I go, formula feeding moms tell my why they didn't breastfeed. I never thought about breastfeeding that way, but maybe I should. Here are the reasons I didn't formula feed since I feel so guilty for not doing it. ):

1. I didn't want my husband to help take care of the baby. We all know that the only thing husbands know how to do is feed the baby a bottle.

2. I was just too lazy to get up in the middle of the night to make bottles.

3. I hate doing laundry and I've been told that formula stains so I don't want the extra work.

4. No one ever told me about the advantages of formula. All the doctors and nurses pushed breastfeeding on me and never ever offered my baby a bottle.

5. I'm stupid and since breastfeeding makes you smarter I figured my kids could use all the help they could get.

6. Since everyone knows breastfeeding women leak all the time, I figured I would have the advantage at wet t-shirt contests. I go without a bra and they don't even have to spray me because I'm already wet.

7. A boob-job is too expensive and I wanted bigger boobs.

8. I hate going to the pediatrician with my kids. I've heard formula-feeders just love going, but I don't and if breastfeeding keeps me out of the doctor's office that's the choice for me.

9. I just wanted to stay home and sit on the computer all day. If I had chosen formula, I would have had to go to work because everyone knows you can't work and breastfeed. Everyone knows breast pumps don't work and are just there for looks.

10. I'm poor and I can't afford formula so my child is being denied all its wonders (stomachache, ear infections, nasty spit-up, nastier poopies, colic) because I'm poor.

11. My mother didn't breastfeed and of course I have to be different just to spite her.

12. I just couldn't formula feed. I tried and tried to put that bottle in the baby's mouth but he just didn't want it.

13. I didn't have enough formula so I had to breastfeed or the baby would have starved.

14. The bottle never made any formula. I shook it and turned it upside down and stared at it but it never made any formula at all.

15. It's just too embarrassing to feed my baby a bottle in public. People will stare and make rude comments.

These are my reasons for not formula feeding if you disagree with them, then I will get all my breastfeeding buddies to tell you how wrong you are.

Okay, this was my FAVORITE reply, so funny!

Kirsty - posted on 12/30/2009

I think my favourite comment i got was "OOOOO you definatly shouldnt breastfeed, its just not natural!" hehehehe oooo and "My boobs are for my boyfriend not my baby, yours should be too!" some people are soo stupid.

Andrea - posted on 12/30/2009

Wow reading all these replies about how people think breastfeeding just isnt enough is simply ignorant! My daughter, who is 7 now, was nursed until she was 11months. My son who just turned one on 12/23/09 is still nursing. I'm trying to ween him off slowly and give him the bottle but he just doesnt like the bottle. I'm trying to give him rice cereal with cow milk, just how he eats it. He only drank a half bottle so far 2 days ago.



Nursing your children is the BEST thing you can do for them. As long as you, yourself, take care of yourself and eat healthy, drink enough water, you will be providing your baby with the best nutrients and nourishment. My babies NEVER got sick and I believe it was my nursing them. Its the best bonding experience and they are healthy and beautiful. The Woman Infant Care program in FL now says you should actually nurse until 3years of age!

Andrea - posted on 12/30/2009

Wow reading all these replies about how people think breastfeeding just isnt enough is simply ignorant! My daughter, who is 7 now, was nursed until she was 11months. My son who just turned one on 12/23/09 is still nursing. I'm trying to ween him off slowly and give him the bottle but he just doesnt like the bottle. I'm trying to give him rice cereal with cow milk, just how he eats it. He only drank a half bottle so far 2 days ago.



Nursing your children is the BEST thing you can do for them. As long as you, yourself, take care of yourself and eat healthy, drink enough water, you will be providing your baby with the best nutrients and nourishment. My babies NEVER got sick and I believe it was my nursing them. Its the best bonding experience and they are healthy and beautiful. The Woman Infant Care program in FL now says you should actually nurse until 3years of age!

Courtney - posted on 12/30/2009

i found this on a certain groupi joined on facebook...thought you guys may like it

Reasons I Didn't Formula Feed
By Marilyn

Everywhere I go, formula feeding moms tell my why they didn't breastfeed. I never thought about breastfeeding that way, but maybe I should. Here are the reasons I didn't formula feed since I feel so guilty for not doing it. ):

1. I didn't want my husband to help take care of the baby. We all know that the only thing husbands know how to do is feed the baby a bottle.

2. I was just too lazy to get up in the middle of the night to make bottles.

3. I hate doing laundry and I've been told that formula stains so I don't want the extra work.

4. No one ever told me about the advantages of formula. All the doctors and nurses pushed breastfeeding on me and never ever offered my baby a bottle.

5. I'm stupid and since breastfeeding makes you smarter I figured my kids could use all the help they could get.

6. Since everyone knows breastfeeding women leak all the time, I figured I would have the advantage at wet t-shirt contests. I go without a bra and they don't even have to spray me because I'm already wet.

7. A boob-job is too expensive and I wanted bigger boobs.

8. I hate going to the pediatrician with my kids. I've heard formula-feeders just love going, but I don't and if breastfeeding keeps me out of the doctor's office that's the choice for me.

9. I just wanted to stay home and sit on the computer all day. If I had chosen formula, I would have had to go to work because everyone knows you can't work and breastfeed. Everyone knows breast pumps don't work and are just there for looks.

10. I'm poor and I can't afford formula so my child is being denied all its wonders (stomachache, ear infections, nasty spit-up, nastier poopies, colic) because I'm poor.

11. My mother didn't breastfeed and of course I have to be different just to spite her.

12. I just couldn't formula feed. I tried and tried to put that bottle in the baby's mouth but he just didn't want it.

13. I didn't have enough formula so I had to breastfeed or the baby would have starved.

14. The bottle never made any formula. I shook it and turned it upside down and stared at it but it never made any formula at all.

15. It's just too embarrassing to feed my baby a bottle in public. People will stare and make rude comments.

These are my reasons for not formula feeding if you disagree with them, then I will get all my breastfeeding buddies to tell you how wrong you are.

Sigrid - posted on 12/30/2009

Quoting cynthia:

Quoting Cherie:

After my son turned a year, I tried him on a little bit of cows milk and he just hated it. I wasn't too worried about it since he was still breastfeeding like 5 times a day. My mother in law told me I needed to put chocolate in there so he would drink it. I told her he doesn't actually need cows milk, and it's not good for him to have chocolate. She says oh, no he has to have it now! Your milk doesn't have any vitamins or anything in it now, and he needs cows milk! *insert eye roll*

And when I told my friend I was pregnant, she asked if I was still breastfeeding, and when she found out I was she told me I had to stop now because my son was taking all the calcium and nutrients from the new baby and it will hurt it...and she said a ped told her that...

IS THAT TRUE??

No... I nursed while pregnant with my son... And my doctor said as long as I felt ok (not too tired), and didn't overdo it, I should be ok.  Just make sure to eat and drink enough (you need an extra 300 calories/day when you're pregnant and an extra 300-500 calories a day when breastfeeding!)  And take your prenatal vitamins!!!

Courtney - posted on 12/30/2009

i have had many complaints about me breast feeding my daughter people told me that she would suffer because of it, like she would have constipation and spit up all the time, she will have all kinds of allergies...i herd every excuse in the book but one that really rubs me the wrong way is the excuse that makes me look lazy...women have said to me they dont have the time to sit around all day so their baby can suck on their boob they have stuff to be at...so i guess they dont have time to feed their baby something healthy and something they need but they do have time to let their baby screech and ball until their bottle is made and let their babies eat formula thats full of stuff they dont need more than the stuff they do need...

Sigrid - posted on 12/30/2009

Quoting Nicole:

I'm not sure why, but people in a certain age category from a very specific area in this province have very strange beliefs about breastfeeding... so I have hear this more than once...

" Breastmilk is not as nutritious as formula. Look at it... half the time you can almost see through it. How is a baby supposed to grow properly off of that? Go ahead and breasfeed him, but you should always give him formula too. Think of your baby!!"... etc, etc...

We have horribly low breastfeeding rates around here... go figure.

Wow, Nicole!  That's terrible!  Breastmilk and formula have the same amount of calories per ounce.  Breastmilk does separate somewhat-- the hind milk is fattier than the foremilk-- that's why it sometimes looks thin.  Obviously none of these people have ever cracked open a medical journal and read a snippet of the countless amounts of research done on breastmilk vs formuia! 

Adriana - posted on 12/30/2009

I had an a cup before i got pregnate and milk production has never been a problem for me my son is nine months and i'm still breastfeeding and he is very chubby

Elanor - posted on 12/30/2009

Quoting Alisha:

I haven't started breast feeding yet, but will once the baby is born, but my grandmother told me something I found to be funny. She suggested I start to practice breastfeeding. When I asked her who I would practice on she looked at my husband. Very strange.

Well at least it will help bring labour on! LOL

Jennifer - posted on 12/30/2009

Quoting Christine:

My mom seems to be struggling a little with guilt over not nursing her kids for very long. She isn't very supportive of me nursing and tells me if I continue to nurse after 1 year it's because I'm codependent. She thinks it's unhealthy. Her latest comment was that when I have 4 kids like she did I won't be able to just "sit around and nurse all day". Apparently I'm not busy enough with my 2 kids to formula feed like real moms do!

omg, too funny...your mom must be european...

My mom would say the same thing...

Christina - posted on 12/29/2009

One person said if I didn't want to get stretchmarks on my breast that I shouldn't nurse. When I informed her that you get stretchmarks on your breasts during pregnancy, not normally afterward, she shut up quick. She was one of those non-moms who likes to chime in with all kinds of advice because she babysat a few toddlers.

I can only think of two legit reasons why a mother should not nurse:

1. She has AIDS (it can pass through the breastmilk)

2. She has to be on certain medication permanently that is dangerous for baby.

And, here's a funny one me and friend came up with when we saw BreastScreen (test strips to detect alcohol in BM) "If a mom needs to buy that on a regular basis, maybe she shouldn't be nursing." LOL

Quoting Kacy:


As for nursing= low economic status, I have heard that is prevalent in Latin-American communities. (I could be mistaken, not my strong suit)

It was that way in the 50's too. They thought formula was better back then, so only people who couldn't afford formula would nurse. 

My grandma formula fed her 5 kids because they all really thought it was better for babies. When my mom nursed me (in the early 80's) and when I nursed my kids she was really supportive because she kept up on all the latest medical news over the years.

Angela - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Christine:

Just tonight, my crazy Grandmother almost chastised me for nursing. She looked at me in disgust, as I nursed my daughter, and said "I could never just sit around doing such frivolous things when my kids were little. I had to work full time...." Imagine that statement with all sorts of attitude and a huge sneer in someones voice and that's how she said it. And the thing is, my grandma never had to work. She chose to because she didn't want to stay home with her kids. And now for some reason I'm supposed to feel bad for only working 15 hours a week and choosing to BF my baby? Seriously?

I don't understand about the time factor that gets everyone riled up. Do formula fed babies just suck down their bottles in one big gulp? I have a friend who supplements with formula and it takes her baby just as long if not longer to eat her bottle than it does for my son to get full while bfing. I just don't understand why people think that it takes so much longer. When you take into consideration the amount of time you spend sterilizing bottles then mixing and heating formula... Anyway, babies take up your time. Duh!

Dana - posted on 12/29/2009

ppl told me id have bleeding nipples,and sagging boods and i wouldnt be able to handle it. my son was a whopping 9 lbs. and my 32 b boobs grew to a 36 d. i breast fed for a whole year didnt miss drinking alcahol or have pain.and my boobs shrank back to a perky 36 b. and im a size 7. yes,motherhood naturally is awesome!!!!! twins run in my family and i would do it for them too.

Stacy - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Simone:

A 'celebrity' (person married to a sportsperson) here in Australia did an interview with a magazine. She had twins and was endorsing this skimpy diet she used to lose the post baby weight, when asked if she was breastfeeding, she said "No, you can't breastfeed twins.".. With formula being only a recent invention, it's amazing how many twins lived on air up until then.. lol

You certainly can't breastfeed twins on a skimpy diet!  I exclusively breastfed my twins till they self-weaned at 3-1/2, and giant, beautifully healthy children they are. My goodness, did I have to eat to keep up with them! But how luxurious to eat 5 or 6 meals a day (literally) and as you might imagine, I did not even once have to worry about losing my baby weight.

The twins were my second pregnancy, so no one I knew bothered me about my breastfeeding choices by then. But the silliest advice I heard was from my father when my first son was born. He told me that I should bottle feed at least half the time so that I wasn't the only one responsible for his care, and so that I could "get away" from my baby.  I hate to say something like "Men don't understand", but HE certainly didn't. Breastfeeding does take dedication, and how rewarding it is to give that gift, for what is really such a short time in our children's lives.

Amy - posted on 12/29/2009

This is awesome! haha My mother-in-law formula fed her boys and you could tell she was not pleased with my breastfeeding! because of a lack of support and a lack of knowledge my milk started to run out at 3 months and at 4 months i pumped a whole day and only got about 10oz so I switched to formula! because that's what I was told was the best for my baby! well even though he wasn't getting enough breast milk he was alot happier while breastfeeding and gained weight alot better! now at 11 months he is 19lbs (birth weight 7 14oz) and not gaining weight very well. He has completely stopped bottle feeding except for bed bottle and doesn't care for milk at all! I wish I had kept going and taken some supplements for milk increase from the gecko! my next one I plan on breastfeeding for as long as they want!

Tiffany - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting nikki :

Quoting Michelle:

I was told to wean if I was on any medication.

in my opinion this is the ONLY  valid reaon why a mummy shud consider weaning... even if it has to b temoparay - i.e pumpin milk n throwin away to keep the flow- then if baby takes to nursing after medicaton course is over and its safe to nurse then by all means carry on!!

Alisha - posted on 12/29/2009

I haven't started breast feeding yet, but will once the baby is born, but my grandmother told me something I found to be funny. She suggested I start to practice breastfeeding. When I asked her who I would practice on she looked at my husband. Very strange.

Jodi - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Elanor:

Latch, latch laTCH!!! (also keep an eye on babies tongue, tongue tie can be very painful to feed baby, get it sorted quick. It can be genetic, and most people don't even know that they have it, just that thier mother was in agony when breastfeeding. My 2nd son had tongue tie, I wasn't sore but he couldn't keep a latch and I was constantly feeding)
As long as there is no tongue tie, and you have a a good latch then it will NOT be painful, let baby feed whenever they want, learn to read baby and it's cues. That way you won't get engorged. Good luck (also don't be afraid to ask for help)

Tell me about it! My father is tongue tied and passed it on to me! My mom said I had a HORRIBLE time latching and she nearly gave up on breastfeeding! When I got pregnant with my daughter I asked the doctor what the chances were she'd be tongue tied and if she was could I get her tongue clipped (I know it sounds horrible to do, but as someone who is tongue tied, OMG, it's horrible!), I was told there was no such thing as being tongue tied! Turns out my daughter is mildly tongue tied, the lactation consultants at the hospital were of absolutely NO help, within 24 hours my nipples were cracked and bleeding and it was suggested I switch to formula. I did not! She has learned to latch now in her own special way, she is 10 months old and still EBF, she has never had a drop of formula!

  Newayz, long story short, yes, definately check for a short tongue! Basically, the little threadlike flap of skin under your tongue should be attatched fairly far back, if it is close to the tip of the tongue, your child is tongue tied. Mine is so bad I can't even lick my lips without bring my lips INTO my mouth! (saves me on chapstick though as I don't get chapped lips often!)

Jacqueline - posted on 12/29/2009

ha ha ha thats so funny :)

Amy - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Paula:

oh I was toldmy onemum, that she stopped bf because her and herbaby kept getting thrush which is apparantly more common in bf mumsaccording to herdoctor. nothappened to my child yet still bf 15 and a half months on...

well, ha ha. of course! thrush is from a build up of yeast in the momma. if moms don't take care of themselves, then yeast and thrush are more likely to occur. if you're fed the same vitamin pack it's not as likely to happen since what mom's eating isn't involved, right? statistics can be so easily skewed. cracks me up. just like the ads that say fast food is now healthy. woe to the uneducated masses!

Amber - posted on 12/29/2009

You know my family is really supportive of me breastfeeding so I haven't heard that many negative remarks. The really only bad thing (and it wasn't that bad really) was when my I was visiting my sister who live in an apartment below my grandparents and my grandma was down visiting and my sister said something about the fact that my son nurses a lot and my grandma said "sounds like he needs a pacifier". I just ignored her. He was nursing because he was hungry not because he needed a pacifier. He won't take them and I'm not going to force one into his mouth!

Paula - posted on 12/29/2009

oh I was toldmy onemum, that she stopped bf because her and herbaby kept getting thrush which is apparantly more common in bf mumsaccording to herdoctor. nothappened to my child yet still bf 15 and a half months on...

Paula - posted on 12/29/2009

hi all. My latest ones I had, was that I need to stop, so I can get my sonintoacreche so I can have some time to myself asnot healthy for him not to have independant play with out me and that it woulddrive themmad being a cow all the time feeding. That, it's wrong he pulls on my top and says milk. That i should be embrssed. That why why don't i make him have a dummy as he only does it for comfort, as he can't be hungry as he eats all the time. It's not nutritionally any better for him than normal milk. That it'snot good that he is feeding on demand and that he should stay in his own bed and not have a milk feed from me at night as she said'' you don't get up for a big macduring the night so why do you need to give him milk''. To your only doing it for you not for my baby as hedoes not need it after the first few weeks of hislife!. And the last one at mo is thta I must get him in a routine of no moremilk now of me or hewill grow up being selfish demanding and hard work, because I breastfeed ! I can laugth now but at times I have lied to people and said I am cutting down on his feedsust to shut them up!. How would it be if we turned it around on them and said they shoud not be formula feeding in public, can't give formua because the child asks for it etc....Iwant my child like my other two to ween himself,feel secure in the bond we have at feeding, and not ween to palm him off!.Our bond is strong and we both enjoy feeding

Tiffany - posted on 12/29/2009

I am a nurse by profession and consequently I work on a postpartum unit where I promote breastfeeding to patients until I'm blue in the face. Prior to having my son I did NOT want to breastfeed because it was not the "norm" in my family. I think I'm the first to do so since my great-great-great grandmother. My son is 4 months old and has tasted formula at the most 3 times. Once in the hospital, and the other times family have undermined me while babysitting. However he has since been an EBFed baby. I had initally decided to BF until 1 but I have come to the decision to allow my son to decide when enough is enough if he goes past 1 year.

The most OUTRAGEOUS thing I've ever heard came from an older woman that breastfed her children for 3 months tops...I told her my intention of BF for the year and I told her about my "milky way" stores in my deep freezer. I told her the milk was good for a year frozen that way. She told me if I gave my son the milk that was pumped the year before it's be child abuse for INTENTIONALLY feeding my son spoiled titty milk. LOL

Lise - posted on 12/29/2009

While looking for nursing clothes, I found a great site (this is NOT an ad, I promise!). They are very pro-bfing and had some Dr. Jack Newman pdfs, and I thought this was amusing and would fit in here:



15. Breastfeeding is blamed for everything. True! Family, health professionals, neighbours, friends and taxi drivers will blame breastfeeding if the mother is tired, nervous, weepy, sick, has pain in her knees, has difficulty sleeping, is always sleepy, feels dizzy, is anemic, has a relapse of her arthritis (migraines, or any chronic problem) complains of hair loss,change of vision, ringing in the ears or itchy skin. Breastfeeding will be blamed as the cause of marriage problems and the other children acting up. Breastfeeding is to blame when the mortgage rates go up and the economy is faltering. And whenever there is something that does not fit the "picture book" life, the mother will be advised by everyone that it will be better if she stops breastfeeding.



SO SAD AND SO TRUE!



Edit: Found on http://momzelle.com

Amber - posted on 12/29/2009

I've heard that if i didn't use formula my son wouldn't get enouge to eat. Or I should use formula to help with gas...I'm so sure people... I'm proud to breastfeed.

Janette - posted on 12/29/2009

I was taught in Nursing school that the charts are based strictly on formula fed babies-from like 20 years ago! As a nurse the charts bothered me because I BF my daughter for 1 year and she is still in the 5-10% She has always worn age appropriate clothes, she is almost 3 and has worn 3T for a few months. I am small @ 62 inches so why shouldn't she be? I have heard ridiculous rumors from many Dr's and Rn's I work with. Everytime I run into someone with my 2 week old I am asked what kind of formula I have him on! Even in the hospital I was asked which one I preferred even before I was asked if I planned on BF. I also have breast implants and have been told that when my 2nd child is done BF my skin will sag away from my implants! They still look fine after baby #1!

Melissa - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Lise:

Quoting Temeka:

I finally do not have a kid on my lap and might be able to type something :-) This is the best thread!! Oh my gosh!

Someone posted above about the growth charts!! I have the BEST pediatrician - my daughter, also, like another poster above, was in the 5th percentile and my pediatrician said to NOT pay attention to the growth charts. They were based on formula fed babies and they get TOO much. That breast fed babies are healthier and require their own charts which aren't even in existence. They are NOT going to be near what formula fed babies are, they will be JUST RIGHT!!!

My mother-in-law, when we stayed with them, would sneak in and take the baby out of his crib before I could hear him - she'd literally lay in wait outside his room and take him and feed him a bottle. Oh my gosh - "HI, meet the mommy monster!" Despite my grumblings it didn't cease. I felt like, uh, you trying to steal my baby? She is of that thought that I wasn't being a "good mom" just giving him boob. Are people really that un...informed!?

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/gro...

 

Growth charts for breastfed babies.  :)

thank you for posting that chart site!!!!! I am nursing my 4th baby and she is 11 months and barely 18 lbs...I was so freaked out when the dr told me she was so low on the charts...but I am much less worried now!  lol  Thanks!

Over the years I have been told many times not to bf my baby....and it came down to me just not careing what anyone else thought I wanted to do what was best for my babies....but the best one ever was when I got kicked out of church for nursing my daughter privately in the back of the church....haha...they said it was to distracting for the parishoners(i was in the very last pew in the corner covered in a nursing blanket?!)....I couldnt believe it!!!  Needless to say that was the last time I went to that church! 

Amy - posted on 12/29/2009

i was talking to my husband about this thread and he goes, oh, don't forget the LC for our first daughter who never nursed her own kids who told us you couldn't nurse due to flat nipples. lol. he's cracks me up. it doesn't matter what they look like or how they're shaped. They were made to feed our kids. It's the most natural, cost effective way to feed a baby. I wish i knew then what i know now. I could have nursed my daughter much longer. It saddens me that i didn't get to go past two months of pumping with her [i had no help and no idea how to get her to latch. STILL feel guilty about not seeking other help for that].

Justine - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting nikki :

Quoting Michelle:

I was told to wean if I was on any medication.

in my opinion this is the ONLY  valid reaon why a mummy shud consider weaning... even if it has to b temoparay - i.e pumpin milk n throwin away to keep the flow- then if baby takes to nursing after medicaton course is over and its safe to nurse then by all means carry on!!

Nikki i have to disagree. talk to the pharmacist about meds that are safe during breastfeeding. i have had to go on med a couple times since having my son (go figure, i was formula fed and am always sick) and i tell them i am breastfeeding. usually the doctor is good to give you something safe, but its always best to double check, a doc once tried to give me something i was allergic to because "it wasnt the actual drug i was allergic to, it was just in the same family". the pharmecist caught it and got her (after much convincing) to give me something different.

the only drug you cant nurse while taking and there is no alternative to is drugs for HIV or AIDS. that is the only time you couldnt or shouldnt nurse. of course if thats the case there are probably enough other concerns anyway.

Justine - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting nikki :

Quoting Michelle:

I was told to wean if I was on any medication.

in my opinion this is the ONLY  valid reaon why a mummy shud consider weaning... even if it has to b temoparay - i.e pumpin milk n throwin away to keep the flow- then if baby takes to nursing after medicaton course is over and its safe to nurse then by all means carry on!!

Nikki i have to disagree. talk to the pharmacist about meds that are safe during breastfeeding. i have had to go on med a couple times since having my son (go figure, i was formula fed and am always sick) and i tell them i am breastfeeding. usually the doctor is good to give you something safe, but its always best to double check, a doc once tried to give me something i was allergic to because "it wasnt the actual drug i was allergic to, it was just in the same family". the pharmecist caught it and got her (after much convincing) to give me something different.

the only drug you cant nurse while taking and there is no alternative to is drugs for HIV or AIDS. that is the only time you couldnt or shouldnt nurse. of course if thats the case there are probably enough other concerns anyway.

Amber - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Joan:

i havent even had my baby yet and i get comments like;

1) you smoked ciggerettes so you shouldnt nurse. your body is toxic. forever.
2) you dont need to pump, that is what working mothers do. ( i do plan on working, i was advised to take it easy during pregency because of having four nasty trips to the er and fear of loosing baby )
3) your breasts will sag. (so will the breats on my brother who weighs in at 400lbs and all the real breasts i know about)
4) you are to much of a bitch for that, baby will become a bitch like you. its in your body and you will give it to her. (so you dont like me then?)
5) i respected my body to much to do that to myself. (WHAT?)
6) you will fail. just take the free formula the state will give you
7) you will never loose weight if you bf (yeah, and eat unhealthy foods and dont be active)
8) (from my hubby who is just confused) so they shouldnt be tuched untill the baby is done with them? (only because im not in the mood... to have my milk excreated by hand and by you.)
9) your breasts are to big, the baby will sufficate. (offened because im a c cup)

best one yet from my sister inlaw who spews bad advice and cant recall that she and her beloved husband are abusive to there children.

10) your selfish if you breast feed. (i didnt even stop to ask why she thinks that, but im sure it is worth a smirk. she seems to belive the things she says)

o wow I would have said IM selfish ha ha ummm people who CHOOSE not to breastfeed are selfish . Breastmilk is the absolute best of the best lol so isnt it selfish to not give ur child the best . Only 1% of women cant breastfeed because of health but everyone else can just most choose not to and I say CHOOSE lol = selfish

Joan - posted on 12/29/2009

i havent even had my baby yet and i get comments like;

1) you smoked ciggerettes so you shouldnt nurse. your body is toxic. forever.
2) you dont need to pump, that is what working mothers do. ( i do plan on working, i was advised to take it easy during pregency because of having four nasty trips to the er and fear of loosing baby )
3) your breasts will sag. (so will the breats on my brother who weighs in at 400lbs and all the real breasts i know about)
4) you are to much of a bitch for that, baby will become a bitch like you. its in your body and you will give it to her. (so you dont like me then?)
5) i respected my body to much to do that to myself. (WHAT?)
6) you will fail. just take the free formula the state will give you
7) you will never loose weight if you bf (yeah, and eat unhealthy foods and dont be active)
8) (from my hubby who is just confused) so they shouldnt be tuched untill the baby is done with them? (only because im not in the mood... to have my milk excreated by hand and by you.)
9) your breasts are to big, the baby will sufficate. (offened because im a c cup)

best one yet from my sister inlaw who spews bad advice and cant recall that she and her beloved husband are abusive to there children.

10) your selfish if you breast feed. (i didnt even stop to ask why she thinks that, but im sure it is worth a smirk. she seems to belive the things she says)

Ashley - posted on 12/29/2009

Well, I have to say that a lot of these I have heard myself and some are just out there. Good for all you mamas that have laughed in the face of ignorance and stupidity.

Here are just a few of my personal faves.....

My OB/GYN actually told me that if I planned to nurse he would not treat me for any sort of post pardum depression and that if I thought I might suffer from this to just tell him now that I wouldn't nurse. When I told him that I absolutely planned to nurse he told me and I quote "nursing is just not that important and since you are having twins I just don't think you should do it. It will be a lot harder on you and you will feel isolated and alone." I kindly told him that I would still be nursing and that if I had a problem with depression I will just see my family doctor for advice and a referral.

When I was in the hospital and my milk had very obviously and clearly come in, in abundance I might add, the nurse sent home formula for me to use just in case my boys weren't getting enough. lol. I should have flashed 'em and been like...these knockers are hanging down to my belly button bc they are so full but I'm sure I will need to use that formula.

And I still get "what? u are STILL nursing those boys? For how much longer? Don't have teeth? I thought you were supposed to wean them when they were a year old? "

And my mother still tries to tell me that there is no reason for me to nurse them anymore since they are almost a year and a half old and eating all kinds of foods. "women in other countries do it out of necessity bc there isn't enough food to go around. And we have plenty of food here in america. They don't NEED to nurse anymore. You don't want to nurse them until they are in kindergarten do you?"

Justine - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting cynthia:

Quoting Cherie:

After my son turned a year, I tried him on a little bit of cows milk and he just hated it. I wasn't too worried about it since he was still breastfeeding like 5 times a day. My mother in law told me I needed to put chocolate in there so he would drink it. I told her he doesn't actually need cows milk, and it's not good for him to have chocolate. She says oh, no he has to have it now! Your milk doesn't have any vitamins or anything in it now, and he needs cows milk! *insert eye roll*

And when I told my friend I was pregnant, she asked if I was still breastfeeding, and when she found out I was she told me I had to stop now because my son was taking all the calcium and nutrients from the new baby and it will hurt it...and she said a ped told her that...

IS THAT TRUE??

NO ABSOLUTLY NOT!!!! Its called tandem nursing and is very common in the breastfeeding community. The new baby will take what it needs, and breastmilk always has nutrients. if it didnt, we wouldnt be able to drink cows milk because they are milked long after a year from when they have their calfs. Why would something that comes from another animal ever be better then what our own bodies make specially for our babies?

Amy - posted on 12/29/2009

oh, just today someone asked if my 9 month old had teeth, i said yes, two teeth. "oh, then you're done nursing, then right?" um.....no. He's never bitten me and i can't even tell the teeth are there, plus, he's only 9 months. i'd like to go at LEAST until a year old.

as for the sleeping through the nite - yeah, mine never has, but i don't mind. someone told me it's extra work and to formula feed for the extra sleep, but if you aren't willing to make that sacrifice - because there are numerous nitetime "Events" in mommahood - then you need to rethink being a mom in my opinion. :)

Jennifer - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Temeka:

I finally do not have a kid on my lap and might be able to type something :-) This is the best thread!! Oh my gosh!

Someone posted above about the growth charts!! I have the BEST pediatrician - my daughter, also, like another poster above, was in the 5th percentile and my pediatrician said to NOT pay attention to the growth charts. They were based on formula fed babies and they get TOO much. That breast fed babies are healthier and require their own charts which aren't even in existence. They are NOT going to be near what formula fed babies are, they will be JUST RIGHT!!!

My mother-in-law, when we stayed with them, would sneak in and take the baby out of his crib before I could hear him - she'd literally lay in wait outside his room and take him and feed him a bottle. Oh my gosh - "HI, meet the mommy monster!" Despite my grumblings it didn't cease. I felt like, uh, you trying to steal my baby? She is of that thought that I wasn't being a "good mom" just giving him boob. Are people really that un...informed!?

If my mother-in-law did something like that with MY baby, she wouldn't be allowed to see him anymore. I would be furious!! I can't believe you didn't move out immediately after the first time that occured.

Elanor - posted on 12/29/2009

Latch, latch laTCH!!! (also keep an eye on babies tongue, tongue tie can be very painful to feed baby, get it sorted quick. It can be genetic, and most people don't even know that they have it, just that thier mother was in agony when breastfeeding. My 2nd son had tongue tie, I wasn't sore but he couldn't keep a latch and I was constantly feeding)

As long as there is no tongue tie, and you have a a good latch then it will NOT be painful, let baby feed whenever they want, learn to read baby and it's cues. That way you won't get engorged. Good luck (also don't be afraid to ask for help)

April - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Heather:

I havent gotten much bad advice, my favorite was "Oh, shes on solids? That must mean that you're done breastfeeding" I think my daughter was 7 months old....she can eat AND nurse. And "You need to supplement with formula, just in case" Just in case of what?

Just in case the formula companies aren't making enough money.

Elanor - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Emma:
.

Your son has started to teeth, your nipples will get bitten.
My friend gave me a great way to deal with that issue and has so far worked.

I love your answers! I need to know the trick as to how to stop them biting (my first son never bit me) I have had biten nipples lots today (I sternly said NO, and took my baby off, he wouldn't feed then)

Justine - posted on 12/29/2009

Quoting Amber:

I was told by someone that babies that are breastfed become picky eaters! LOL

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry just had a little laugh at that one. my son was EBF until 5 1/2 months (tried to hold out til 6 but he has always been a big boy and he started grabbing food off my plate and cramming it into his mouth). now he is 11 months old and bf, never had a bottle, not even with breastmilk in it. we co-sleep so he nurses through the night, and i plan on nursing him as long as he wants to. this child will eat ANYTHING! the first cunky food he had was broccoli, and i thought that was amazing. until he ate an olive i gave him without making a face. and pickles, salmon, asperagus (he LOVES asperagus), chinese and thai food (no beansprouts but just because there have been so many recalls for e coli), then he even topped that when i made muscles (im a cook so i know how to make them properly and not poison anyone lol) and he gobbled them up as fast as he could. he even eats stewed oysters. i have yet to come across anything he doesnt like, and i try giving him EVERYTHING (unless he cant have it for a health reason, like peanuts or honey, and he doesnt get any sugar). he is the least picky eater i know, he will eat things even i dont like, and there is not much i dont like.

in contrast, my boyfriends son, who is the same age as mine and has been formula fed since 2 months, wont eat anything that is stringy, too chunky (he wont bite chunks off with his teeth like mine will), has spices or herbs, is strongly flavoured, i think there is more he wont eat then he will. that is about the biggest myth i have ever heard!!!!

Thanks, that just made my day lol!