Question:

How do I assert myself about not breastfeeding?

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I have decided, through much research, not to breastfeed. I am 29 weeks pregnant and starting to prepare for the hospital. I have the support of my friends and my family on the subject but I know I will have to deal with the nurses and dr.s at the hospital trying to talk me into breastfeeding. How do I communicate to everyone involved that I will not be breastfeeding and avoid conflict with them at the same time?

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If you don't want to breastfeed don't do it.

You can find information to back up anything, inc not b/feeding, if you look hard enough.

If they hassel you tell them about your 'research'.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Tape a sign on your delivery gown so you won't have to repeat yourself.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Well, they can't force you to do it. They might talk to you about the benefits and ask you to explain your decision, but outside of that your wishes will be honored.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Not one time was I pushed or asked in the hospital about bf, we told them when we arrived our plans and that was that....good luck! Not all people in life are a__holes...just keep that in mind
Report (0) (0) | earlier
when I has my children my doctor nor due my nurses try to push me into breastfeeding they just asked me if I was breastfeeding or formula.

Just tell them you decided to formula feed. If they get thier undies in a bunch over it...then its their issue not yours.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Just be blunt, some lactation consultants can be very persistent. Just tell them its whats best for your family. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone.

Good luck!!
Report (0) (0) | earlier
it is your decision...but that is what your b*****s are for and why you will produce milk...to feed your baby . I am so happy I breastfeed my baby it is a great bonding experience and I know I am giving her what is intended to keep her healthy.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
They really aren't supposed to push the issue. When I had my son a year ago they only asked once what I wanted to do about his feedings and that was it. Maybe you won't have to deal with pushy nurses.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
''I have decided, through much research, not to breastfeed''--

I don't think you researched in the right places.

WHY BREAST IS BEST

BREASTFEEDING BUILDS BRIGHTER BRAINS

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020200...

BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020300...

7 WAYS BREASTFED BABIES BECOME HEALTHY ADULTS

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020500...

HOW HUMAN MILK PROTECTS FROM ILLNES

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020600...

NUTRIENT BY NUTRIENT WHY BREAST IS BEST

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020800...

COMPARISON OF HUMAN MILK AND FORMULA

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T021600...

BUILDING CLOSENESS BY BREASTFEEDING

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022500...

BREASTMILK FACTS

http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Issue-Pap...

101 REASONS TO BREASTFEED YOUR CHILD.

http://www.promom.org/101/

RECENT STUDIES THAT SHOW THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/breastfee...
Report (0) (0) | earlier
The nurses will not try to force you to do anything you don' want to do.  (In fact, breastfeeding mothers often complain about nurses trying to force them to supplement, or doing so without their consent.)

You wil probably be asked on admission what your plans are.  Tell them you will be formula feeding. That should be the end of it.  (When I gave birth, my room-mate was formula feeding. The nurse asked her why, and she said she had tried breastfeeding with a previous child and hadn't liked it.  Nothing more was said.  And the LC's at the hospital don't even visit women who are formula feeding.)
Report (0) (0) |   earlier
Just be honest and tell them you just can't do it. It's not for you. I admit I wanted to try after my daughter was born and with her being a preemie they brought in a machine to help. I felt like a cow being attached to that milking machine and wow was it loud! But my milk never flowed so my daughter was put on formula. Be sure and research which formula you think will be right for your child because they really aren't all the same. The Soy formula can make babies very gassy
Report (0) (0) | earlier
The problem goes both ways, sadly. If you don't want to breastfeed, you will be pushed into it. If you do breastfeed, they will often try to get you to supplement.

Although I don't possibly understand how researching could lead you NOT wanting to breastfeed, it is your decision. Just tell them exactly what you wrote here. You researched it and found it's not for you.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
They won't try to talk you into it. They don't really care one way or the other. They just mark it on your chart and that's that. Just let them know.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Well, if you have done your research, you will know that breastmilk is by far the very best you can feed your baby and that there are health risks associated with formula use.

You have the right to not breastfeed if you don't want to, but in all honesty, dealing with health professionals encouraging you to breastfeed your baby as recommended is something you have accept.

The best way to avoid conflict with them is to understand that they are only concerned with the health of your baby. Listen to what they have to say with an open mind, and if you then quietly inform them what your decision is. Your decision will be respected if you accept responsibility for it.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
They shouldn't bother you at all about your feeding choice. They might ask you once the child is born if you want to breastfeed, so you can get him to latch on asap and to have a lactation consultant come to your room to help you. But if you make it clear that you chose to formula feed, they will not bother you about it. In fact they will provide you with formula at the hospital. Just find which formula you would like to try and tell them that is the formula you want for your baby, they will have it on hand at the nursery. You shouldn't have any issues. Good Luck & Congrats on the baby!!

.

Thumbs down from probably breastfeeding moms, who think we should encourage the formula feeding moms to switch...not answer the questions they ask instead.....DUMB!!!!!!
Report (0) (0) | earlier
I was lucky enough not to have anyone try to persuade me into breastfeeding. Yes, they asked, and made sure I had info to look over and consider, but no one ever tried to force it down my throat, so to speak. It was nice that they accepted my decision and also did not try to make me feel guilty about it or anything. If you are asked if you are going to breastfeed, simply tell them no. If they ask further, tell them that yes, you did look into it ahead of time, but have personally decided not to. That's it.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
You are smart to prepare yourself.  When my son was born last year, there were these breastfeeding nurses who would come around making all the new moms feel horrible if they weren't nursing.  I was trying my hardest to nurse with a baby who couldn't latch, and they made the situation 10X worse.

My suggestion is to have your husband or family member firmly ask the person to leave the room if she is making you uncomfortable.  Your husband can simply say, "We have made this decison months ago after careful consideration, and you are now upsetting my wife."
Report (0) (0) |   earlier
That is your decision NOT theirs!! I did not breastfeed my baby. She is 6 months old now and thriving!!! No one in the hospital gave me a hard time about not bf. If anyone that works at the hospital does, quickly file a complaint. Or like someone else said have your partner step up and make them leave you alone.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Stonewall. I have bottlefed five babies, and have never let anyone bother me about it. If they ask me why, I say because. It's not worth getting into discussion because most people think it is their mission and duty to recruit as many breastfeeders as possible. In hospital, they will only try to talk you into it if they see that you are hesitant. If you state quite clearly that you are bottlefeeding your baby, (leave out "I have decided to bottle feed"), they will most likely leave you alone.

And just for your interest, my five kids are bright intelligent, did not get ear infections and all the rest of the things bottle fed babies are supposed to be doomed to get. So relax and enjoy your baby!

I might have known, this genuine question from someone who needs a real answer, has been hijacked by those who insist on pushing the breastfeeding mantra onto everyone. If you haven't got an answer to what this mother is asking, DON'T BOTHER POSTING.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Breast is best but it is absolutely your decision to use formula if you choose to.  I don't think the doctors and nurses would bother you about it at all.  I breast fed and I actually kept having nurses offer me formula to take home "just in case".  I had to keep telling them no.

EDIT: what's with all the thumbs down?  everyone is getting them, that seems to be going around today...
Report (0) (0) |   earlier