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After discussing BF my (hopeful) son/daughter I got a lot of negative feedback. Most from people saying I was "weird" for wanting to do sucha thing and its not "natural" etc. Did anyone else encounter such feedback? If so, how did you handle it...I have to admit I'm a kind of emotional person so to speak, and HATE feeling uncomfortable when ppl start blatantly talking about MY decision and how THEY feel about it....
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Even women bfing their bio children get a lot of negative feedback in some circles! You just have to stay tough and know that you are doing the best thing for your baby! Not the same situation but a lot of people were pretty shocked and negative about my decision to nurse my bson in the hospital before he went home with his parents. I don't care what others think, I wouldn't have denied him that benefit because of other people's ignorant opinions. I wish his mom would have induced lactation.
If you want to be reminded how horrible formula and the formula companies are read "Milk, Money and Madness", i can't remember the author but i got it at my public library.
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I think you just have to grow tough skin, honestly. I got a lot of negative feedback and some of it was people's weirdness about breastfeeding in general and some was loved ones concern that I would be devasted "when it doesn't work". Well, it worked and I have LOVED my breastfeeding relationship with my son. the first time my aunt saw me feeding my 7 month old son, I got the "I hope you aren't planning on breastfeeding a walking, talking toddler." What she doesn't know won't hurt her. ;-)
I agree about even bio Mom's getting flack about BF. When someone says something like "that's weird" or equally as tacky, develop some responses to those pesky people. Make them explain why it's weird or make sure they realize it's their own hangup's that have them reacting that way. Do they not realize that there is an organization that takes BM and banks it for babies who need it? I would guess that the naysayers didn't BF their own kids. The final answer to them could be " because I can".
Thanks...DH first of all is on the passive side. He said he thinks thats "uncomfortable" but that it was ultimately my decision and what I chose he would support. Its family, like in-laws that just came out and said "that is weird and disgusting and you should not do that, that is just sick" I mean my jaw hit the floor. *Note they are VERY discouraging about BF in general even if its a bio child she thinks its "gross". I just really need to thicken my skin up some!
When I first mentioned to my husband that I was thinking about breastfeeding he said it reminded him of the movie "The hand that rocks the cradle". You know how the crazy nanny secretly starts breastfeeding the baby. Anyway I told him that it is something that is important to me and he was ok with it. My Mom thinks it is totally weird so I just don't talk to her about it. I'm looking forward to the bonding. Also all the other health benefits to the baby!!! Otherwise I'm not really going around telling a lot of people that this is what I'm going to do. I guess they'll just find out after we bring the baby home!
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When I bf my 2nd son (adopted), my in-laws thought I would somehow "starve" him, or that my milk was not as nutritious. He was, and still is, a chunky guy, so I just ignored them. Now I'm preparing to bf our 3rd, and I'm just keeping quiet about it. Turns out the in-laws don't agree with bf for anyone. Overall, I just feel like it is a parenting decision that I have made, and I'm not asking for anyone's input. (And I'm super good at ignoring- really!) I just don't discuss it because it's not up for discussion.Natalie