I wanted to breastfeed, but I'm having second thoughts.. (kind of a vent)

BabyMcBride8_27

My breasts have always been "play things", and I've ALWAYS saw them in a sexual way. Originally, I wanted to pump & feed, because I can't stand the thought of having my baby nursing from my breast, much less actually doing it. So, I looked into buying a pump, but they're freaking expensive! Money is SUPER tight right now, and I can't afford to go out & buy something like that. I do receive WIC, but I don't want to say I'm fully breastfeeding & it turns out that I can't, because I don't want to miss out on getting formula. I'm just going to give up on breastfeeding, and formula feed. Thing about it is, I don't want people to think I don't want what's best for my baby, because I do. It's just that, on a personal level, I'm not comfortable doing so. Please tell me I'm not the only person feeling like this!!

valentinasmommy

I have a manual breast pump(occasions) that was 36.00 it works good. I tried it out.

BabyMcBride8_27

@valentinasmommy Manual? How in the world does that work?

valentinasmommy

You move the handle with your hand. It's not electric.

mommyofstacy

Wic gave me a breastpump! U should talk to them about it maybe all of them give them to breast feeding moms.goodluck hun!

Bahamamama4828

Do u have insurance? Some insurance covers pumps. Just in case wic doesn't offer u one. Manuals are a pain on the butt lol but a lot of people like them. Good luck!

BabyMcBride8_27

@valentinasmommy I'll have to look into that. Maybe I'll at least be able to use breastmilk to suppliment formula.
@momofstacy & @bahamamama4828 WIC offers a free breastpump to women who breastfeed, but as far as I know, you don't receive formula if you do breastfeed. With this being my first baby, I don't even know if I'll be able to breastfeed, so I don't want to tell them I am, then not be able to, and miss out on the formula. Like I mentioned before, money is super tight for the next couple of months, so I need all the help/benefits I can get. Without WIC formula, I'm not sure I'd be able to afford it. Of course, I don't know how much formula is, either.

valentinasmommy

What of you tell WIC that you want to do both,maybe you can still get formula.

mgrose

I feel exactly the same way u do! Baby to breast is hard for me to comprehend! I talked to my Wic lady n she says if I decide to formula feed later they will take the pump back n give formula! Also, I got a electric medela pump off craigslist super cheap! So look on there too! Also I hear the hospital rents really awesome pumps n they r pretty cheap I will be checking into that in a few weeks im 33 weeks so I have a lil time left! Don't give up just yet!

BabyMcBride8_27

@valentinasmommy I'm not sure if I can do that. I'll have to talk to my aunt about it since she's dealt with WIC & breastfeeding within the last year, so she'll more than likely know about it.

valentinasmommy

Ok. I'm sure they would if you tell them you can't be home with your baby all the time to breastfeed. Maybe?

BabyMcBride8_27

@mgrose I've seen a few pumps on Craigslist, but I'm not comfortable buying one, because I don't know whose booby that thing was sucking on! Lol, even though I could serilize it and all. I'm going to find out if you can breast & bottle feed with WIC, and make a decision from there.

BabyMcBride8_27

@valentinasmommy I would think they'd do, not only for that reason, but what if I didn't produce enough to strictly breastfeed, ya know? Some women HAVE to do both. I'm definately gonna find out about it.

laura536

During my last pregnancy, I was really being pressured into breastfeeding. I was massively uncomfortable with the idea and it wasn't even because of sex, I just didn't feel comfortable. The best advice I can give you is to try it out in the hospital. I can almost guarantee you won't be feeling "sexy" so it will distance you from that and there is a TON of help available in the hospital to get you on track. And then you'll be able to decide from experience which way you want to go. I tried it and realized pretty quickly, it still wasn't for me. But then at least I could walk away knowing I gave it a shot and feeling confident about my decision.

As far as WIC goes, you'd be better off just saying you are formula feeding, because the pump they give you is a temporary loan and chances are, you'll still need to buy one anyway.

Bahamamama4828

I don't know what state you're in but here if you're working wic will give you a free pump, not a loan but you can rent them as well and I have had moms change their minds and get the formula after breastfeeding. It's a simple switch here if you stop breastfeeding. Hope that helps

anadoll92

Its very simple u just call or go to wic and tell them u gonna formula feed and then they give u formula

madilynn37

Wic does let you do both, they give u more food if you breastfeed only because they want people to breastfeed only but they will let you do both.

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BabyMcBride8_27

@laura536 I'm definately going to at least try. If it doesn't work out for me, at least I can walk away knowing I gave it a shot. I pulled up the WIC website, and it's really not even worth telling them I'm feeding both ways. I'd only be allowed 1 can of formula per month for the first 3 months, and I don't see that being enough. I definately don't want to say I'm breastfeeding, then have to switch over to formula feeding, because the offices here drag their feet with everything, so I'd probably end up with nothing for a few months.
@bahamamama4828 From the info I got of the WIC website, it just doesn't seem worth it. Especially if I would have to switch to formula, since they take forever to do anything.
@erkieshavingagirl That's something I'm worried about. Everyone pushes breastfeeding. At the hospital I'm delivering at, they have signs all over that say things like Breast is Best, or Breastfed Babies Are Healthier Babies. It really sends ya on a guilt trip. But, I think if I would breastfeed, and not be comfortable with it, and end up getting frustrated about it, that would harm me & baby more than not breastfeeding would, ya know? It just sucks that breastfeeding is all pushed down everyone's throat like it is.

allyssasmommy

I feel the same way but I don't get wic but now my girls look different I'm starting to look at them differently

CrumbledCookie

WIC gave me a pump & formula. I got the pump from the classes before I gave birth and once the baby was born I got formula just in case breastfeeding didn't work out. If you explain it to them they will usually work with you. I got vouchers for myself and my daugther had her own set so I still got the extra food to breastfeed but had her formula on the side. I still have my pump and the replacement one they gave me. both were free and they switched things around very fast when i needed to use a new formula.

Mrs4c

Formula is just as good as breast feeding. there are studies that bf may help prevent sids however. Try bf but don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work out. Being concerned about the whole issue alone means you're already a great mommy.:)

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Hot2Cold87

I'm not breastfeeding and its definitely not b/c I don't want the best for my baby ppl will try to make u feel bad or like you have to but its your choice I wasn't breastfed I'm fine never even been sick really until I became pregnant lol