Actually I'd be happy to tell my reasons for not. I suffered severe PPD after my first child, to the point that i eventually got to play outpatient crazy person at the local psych hospital. I had to quit breastfeeding so that I could go on (very toxic to babies) medication. This time around I am going directly to medication and formula, because I know that if I don't I will end up going inpatient at the psych hospital within a week. I NEED to have a good experience with this child, and the chance to raise her as a happy baby with a sane mom.
Anyway, on to your question. I think in general we should never make a woman feel guilty for her choices regarding her baby, as long as she's making safe choices. (There's a big difference to me between formula feeding and refusing to use a carseat "because it's my choice", for example.) I would instead focus on the convenience and cost benefits of breastfeeding, those pros that bring added value to the table without bringing guilt into it. I can understand that I would be saving time not having to make bottles and carry formula around and make sure i have a safe water supply and blah blah, and that formula feeding outright costs more than breastfeeding. That doesn't make me sad (other than my checkbook). I think there are ways to bring the point across that breast is better than bottle without beating it into women and telling them their child will be a fat asthmatic retard without breastmilk.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-08-31 04:48 pm (UTC)Anyway, on to your question. I think in general we should never make a woman feel guilty for her choices regarding her baby, as long as she's making safe choices. (There's a big difference to me between formula feeding and refusing to use a carseat "because it's my choice", for example.) I would instead focus on the convenience and cost benefits of breastfeeding, those pros that bring added value to the table without bringing guilt into it. I can understand that I would be saving time not having to make bottles and carry formula around and make sure i have a safe water supply and blah blah, and that formula feeding outright costs more than breastfeeding. That doesn't make me sad (other than my checkbook). I think there are ways to bring the point across that breast is better than bottle without beating it into women and telling them their child will be a fat asthmatic retard without breastmilk.