If you're unable or choose not to breastfeed, it's definitely okay—and you're not alone. Canadian and U.S. surveys have shown 10% to 32% of mothers never begin breastfeeding and 4% stop within the first week of life. An additional 14% of mothers stop nursing before their baby is 2 months old.
In the sophisticated, emancipated societies of the global west and north, it has been suggested that 5% of mothers are unable to produce enough breast milk to nourish their babies at the breast.
There are some instances in which a new mother simply can't nurse exclusively, or at all, and bottle-feeding or supplemental formula can save the day. It's true that some women are unable to breastfeed, at least not exclusively.
Sometimes, for reasons such as engorgement, latch issues, or nipple soreness, breastfeeding does not work despite your—and your baby's—best efforts. While "fed is best" when it comes to how your baby eats, it's natural to feel a deep disappointment and sense of failure at not being able to feed baby at your breast.
You may start producing breast milk months or weeks before your due delivery date. One of the first signs that your breasts have started producing milk is that they will become fuller and heavier, and they may even hurt sometimes. During the second trimester, your breasts begin to create colostrum.
Breastfeeding is hard to keep up. Some 83 percent of babies in the United States start out on breast milk, but by 6 months, just 56 percent are breastfed — and at that stage, only a quarter drink breast milk exclusively, as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends.
Breastfeeding is recommended for all newborn babies, but not all mothers choose to do it.
A few babies never do breastfeed. Some have a medical condition that makes it impossible. Very rarely, we never find out why. You don't have to feed your baby directly from the breast to give them the many benefits of your milk or to nurture them at your breast.
If You Don't Breastfeed
You should expect your breasts to decrease in size within a week or two, as your milk dries up.
Infant formula is still a healthy choice, and your baby will get all the necessary nutrients. If you choose to feed your baby formula, there are some benefits: Anyone can feed your baby. Grandparents or babysitters can feed your baby while you work or get some well-deserved time with your partner.
Some may have issues with getting a deep latch. Some may struggle with the intensity of their baby's needs. Some may struggle with a sick baby, birth complications or a baby who isn't latching at all. Others may struggle with family pressures to allow others to feed.
Recent studies show that babies who are not exclusively breastfed for 6 months are more likely to develop a wide range of infectious diseases including ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses and have more hospitalizations.
If you're unable or choose not to breastfeed, it's definitely okay—and you're not alone. Canadian and U.S. surveys have shown 10% to 32% of mothers never begin breastfeeding and 4% stop within the first week of life. An additional 14% of mothers stop nursing before their baby is 2 months old.
It's important to keep in mind that breastfeeding does not cause sagging breasts, but rather, it's due to the physical changes of your body during and after pregnancy. But once milk production halts, the breasts shrink back down to their original size (or in some cases, smaller).
If a baby feels unstable, has to turn their head into an awkward angle, or is prevented from using their feeding reflexes; they may find it difficult to latch and might cry or pull away from the breast.
3 Months CRISIS:
This is the most common time for mothers to give up on breastfeeding, as its a very challenging time. Some babies will have it at 4 months, specially boys. Why: There are a lot of changes in both the mum and the baby. The baby goes through a maturing phase, the brain is developing neuronal connections.
Lazy Nurser/Baby Sleeping at Breast
If baby starts dozing off you can tickle his/her feet, take a burping break, strip them down to nothing but a diaper so they aren't too warm and cozy and if they really won't wake up, you can even try running a wet wipe down their back (that one really wakes them up!).
The World Health Organization and the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia recommend exclusive breastfeeding (i.e. no other fluids or solids) for six months and then continued breastfeeding combined with solid foods for 12-24 months or as long as mother and baby desire.
Breastfeeding, even just once a day, is worth it.
Your body is regulating your hormones and your endocrine system with stimulation.
Some women also experience engorgement or cluster feeding. Poor attachment, "not enough breastmilk for the child", and an unsettled baby were the top reasons for ceasing to breastfeed cited in the Australian national infant feeding survey (by parents who stopped breastfeeding entirely before 6 months).
The majority of Australian women (96%) initiate breastfeeding [11] however rates of exclusive breastfeeding dramatically decline in the following months with only 39% of infants being exclusively breastfed by aged three months [1, 2, 11, 12].
Who is LEAST likely to breast feed her child? a low-income woman who goes back to work. Co-sleeping may: increase the likelihood of SIDS.
Breastfed babies cry more, laugh less, and generally have "more challenging temperaments" than formula-fed infants, a study has found. But such behaviour is normal, and mothers should learn to cope with it rather than reach for the bottle, according to researchers.
Breastmilk or infant formula should be your baby's main source of nutrition for around the first year of life. Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with a gradual introduction of appropriate foods in the second 6 months and ongoing breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond.