Age of people who choose to bottlefed

[Pippi Longstocking]

I am curious about the age of people who choose to bottlefeed. From what I have read, it seems to be younger mums <25 who make the decision to bottlefeed. I'm not talking about mums who have trouble breastfeeding, but those that actually make the decision not to. If I'm correct in my assumption that a lot of younger mums are making this choice, why do you think that is? What has happened to make that particular generation embarrassed/uncomfortable/unwilling to even try to breastfeed?

[moonblossom]

I was 18 when i had my first. And I breastfed him even though it was going against the BOTTLE FED generation thing.

i WILL breastfeed Alexander, I think a lot of it is what we feel comes naturally. Sure a lot of younger mothers still like to go out and not be stuck with a baby 24/7 so feel bottle feeding will give them some freedom still.

As I've said many times, even though i know Breast is Best, I really dont care what people do as long as they are doing it for the absolute right reasons (and not social) and don't harass me for breastfeeding

[Pippi Longstocking]

I just wanted to add, I am not debating the choice here at all. That is what the other thread is for :)

It is just something that I have noticed over time and am genuinely curious about.

[diamonds22]

I think its a great post ******, it is very interesting...and you may be on to something.:)

[poshBecks]

I voted under 25 coz I am only 24. But the reason I chose bottles insn't something I chose before birth or anything. I did give bresatfeeding a good go with both of them. It just grossed me out too much thats all. :)

[Sarie]

I was 25+ for both my pregnancies and bottle fed both. :fingerscrossed: I'll be 29 ish next time round and I'll be bottle feeding him/her as well.

[OM]

I am a young mother and I did not bottle feed. I am still breastfeeding my DS! It's funny though cause I noticed that within the ppl I know it tends to be more the ppl that went private to have their baby that don't breastfeed, not sure why that is though, perhaps public system has better lactation consultants and support~:confused:

[rynosmum]

Won't these results be slightly skewed due to the fact that the number of mothers in each age group also vary ? For example, it appears that there are less first-time mums over 35 than under 25 ?

[reAllytee]

I actually dont see the point in this but anyways ......

[MammaMia]

Apparently there has already been some research done in this area.

The findings indicated that younger mothers tended to bottlefeed because they associated breasts with sex and their perception of themselves as sexual, rather than linking breasts with feeding. There are some facilities which are encouraging and teaching young expectant and young new mothers about breastfeeding.

I had noticed in shopping centres that younger mothers tended to bottlefeed more than breastfeed and I was interested in the results of this research.

My 7 month old has just pulled herself to standing around the lounge. I think we are entering the cruising phase. Off topic - but cute!

edited to add: I've just realised that there was a related thread that went pear shaped today. I don't want to contribute to the derailing process. My post is intended to throw in some extra information on related research and is contributed for no other reason.

[Terrible2+1cutie]

i was 24 when i became a mum and i exclusively breast fed my son till he was 10 months old and i was 4 months pregnant with son number 2 when i stopped feeding. With my number 2 son he was breastfed till 6 months old then i supplemented breast and bottle cause he wasn't putting on weight. I loved breastfeeding i found it so relaxing despite having sore, swollen and cracked nipples in the early days, the pain was worth it .

Catherine

Mum to Blaze and Bailey

[Shazbutt]

I tried BF for 2 weeks, even though it felt horrible to me (and it wasn't because i saw my boobs as sexual things, it just didn't feel right to). It ended up being that i didn't have enough supply, so the decision was made for me eventually for which i was kinda grateful.

If i had any more later on (:fingerscrossed: i won't) i'll be FF again.

[Pippi Longstocking]

Mamma mia, that is really interesting. So it's not just me that has noticed this trend :o

I don't suppose you have any links do you? :)

[jaimie]

what about the rates of bf in vaginal birth compared to C-section births?
anyone got any stats on that?

[SamanthaJane]

Mamma mia, that is really interesting. So it's not just me that has noticed this trend :o

I don't suppose you have any links do you? :)

Whats wrong with the trend of young mothers choosing to bottle feed?

[Terrible2+1cutie]

I breastfed both my kids after cesareans, i always breastfed my kids on a pillow in the earlier months so my cesarean scar didn't hurt so much, i got so use to breastfeeding on a pillow i kept doing it.

Catherine

Mum to Blaze and Bailey

[Pippi Longstocking]

SamanthaJane, we have already had that discussion today....this thread isn't about the pros and cons of breast vs bottle. Good or bad, I have noticed a trend and was curious.

[MammaMia]

Whats wrong with the trend of young mothers choosing to bottle feed?

Samantha Jane - there is nothing wrong with younger mothers choosing to bottle feed. It's no different than the information which has shown that professional women tend to put off having children until their 30s+.

Just another snapshot of how different groups of women do things...differently.

There's also the information that younger mothers have less wrinkles than older mothers! ;)

Apparently, the latest news, is that all mothers, regardless of whether they
*start young or older
* bottlefeed or breastfeed
*use cloth nappies or disposables
*return to work part/full-time or stay at home
*make individual meals for baby or buy ready made meals
* love or hate their MILs
* post on BH or just lurk

all love their babies and want to do the best they can for them.

Phew! Finally, common ground! :D

[SamanthaJane]

Okay i'm just making sure this wasnt turning into a thread being negative about young parents choosing to bottle feed:D

[Niki]

i choose not to while i was pregnant becos i didnt like the thought but then changed my mind but wasnt able 2 anyway

[Nickster]

******,

It would also be interesting to see the comparison of bottle-feeders to breast-feeders in terms of the level of education attained by both groups.

Maybe another poll?:o

[brooke]

Apparently, the latest news, is that all mothers, regardless of whether they
*start young or older
* bottlefeed or breastfeed
*use cloth nappies or disposables
*return to work part/full-time or stay at home
*make individual meals for baby or buy ready made meals
* love or hate their MILs
* post on BH or just lurk

all love their babies and want to do the best they can for them.


well said.... :yelclap:

I chose to bottlefeed my baby from birth, I had made this decision before she had even arrived. It is something that I chose to do and not a decision i made lightly. Breastfeeding just wasnt for me and I wanted parenting to be a shared role. I do not feel that my baby is any less off for being bottle feed she is a happy healthy baby whom I love more than anything in the whole world!

[brooke]

******,

It would also be interesting to see the comparison of bottle-feeders to breast-feeders in terms of the level of education attained by both groups.

Maybe another poll?:o

I really dont think that this would be a very positive thread at all...
I feel that this could become very negative when it doesnt need to be
I really dont think it has anything to do with it!
Just my own opinion

[sopolicha]

Maybe another poll?:o


Hey Nickster, come and vote on my poll.

[MammaMia]

******,

It would also be interesting to see the comparison of bottle-feeders to breast-feeders in terms of the level of education attained by both groups.

Maybe another poll?:o

I don't think the decision is an academic one.

It's a mix of factors very personal to each woman - and I suspect that high on the list is the intrinsic make-up of the individual balanced against her perception as to what, from a holistic view point, will be in the best interests of the child.

Let's not forget that a happy mother, content with her decisions, is much better for the baby than a mother, unhappy with her decisions and struggling, regardless of which way her pendulum has swung on this issue.

I think the important thing to remember in all of this is one question: is the baby fed? Answer: yes. You've passed the second principle of mothering! Well done!

[sugar n spice]

I tried to breastfeed but due to inverted nipple couldnt:thumbsdown: In a way though it was more convenient to have the bottle i think and easier on me with dh being able to feed him though if i could of breastfed i would have.

[brooke]

ILet's not forget that a happy mother, content with her decisions, is much better for the baby than a mother, unhappy with her decisions and struggling, regardless of which way her pendulum has swung on this issue.

I think the important thing to remember in all of this is one question: is the baby fed? Answer: yes. You've passed the second principle of mothering! Well done!

This is the exact reason why I chose to bottle feed.
It is an individual decision. One that a person does not need to be judged on

Mammamia you sound like a very switched on person! :thumbsup:

[tanni_83]

I am curious about the age of people who choose to bottlefeed. From what I have read, it seems to be younger mums <25 who make the decision to bottlefeed. I'm not talking about mums who have trouble breastfeeding, but those that actually make the decision not to. If I'm correct in my assumption that a lot of younger mums are making this choice, why do you think that is? What has happened to make that particular generation embarrassed/uncomfortable/unwilling to even try to breastfeed?


id just like to recap on the original topic. there are a lot of ppl in here saying i breastfed for X amount of time etc. originally ****** wanted to know why people chose to bottle feed BEFORE giving breastfeeding a go!!

sorry if i jumped in, i know im not a mod, but theres a lot of posts that dont really relate to the original question :ecomcity: :)

[Rhoxie]

I haven't voted because my children have all been fully breastfed.

But I just wanted to add that I was 20 when I had my first (so I was young & breastfed) & my little sister in law was 19 when she had her baby and she breastfed too. :D

I must say though I have noticed far more of the younger mums that I know have gone straight to bottles while the 25+ mums have a lot more breastfeeders.

[dannii]

i see some people wonder where you going with this.. though i can see what you mean. Although i know you just wanted to hear about bottlefeeding,but wanted to add that i was only 16/17 years old when i had my first daughter and i breastfed for nearly a year and the same with my other babies (still currently b/f this bubba).
For some reason it did surprise people.
It also surprises some people that i like to use cloth nappies. They assume that only older generations do this. :confused:

[Lunar]

I was 20 when Emy was born and I tried really hard to BF her but ther was NO possible way I could of!
She had no suck reflex and use to take an hour to drink a bottle:eek:
I cried about it for 6 months tho:crying:
I tried to feed Kailah for a week and that didn't work out either.
I spent hours with lactation consultants and they told me I wouldn't be able to feed without nipple shields (due to flat nipples). So I tried 3 different types and I was still in agony! Kailah would not feed from me properly and was 'chomping' on me and made me bleed eveytime! It took me 3 more weeks to completely heal after stopping BF. I had bad scabbing eeewwww!
I still wish so badly that I could feed her and everytime she is hungry I feel bad that I can't give her the best.

I don't want anymore children but if another 'suprise' comes along I don't think I will put myself through the heart ache again and I would definately go staight to FF:(

I don't think there is anything wrong with FF but oh how I wish I could BF.
Sometimes I think of the mothers who FF from birth and think "you've probably got these great nipples that would be perfect for feeding and here I am DESPERATELY wanting to feed and can't"
Nothing against you girls but sometimes that's just how I feel.

[Nickster]

Oh my goodness, I just asked a question, and from a purely academic point of view, and feel like I've been jumped on.

I don't understand why it would have to be a negative thread, I was just interested in doing a comparison, but obviously have touched on a sensitive area for some people. What a shame, I thought there was nothing we couldn't discuss on this forum....

Ah well, I think I'll look up some previous studies on the net.

[bronny-jane]

******,

It would also be interesting to see the comparison of bottle-feeders to breast-feeders in terms of the level of education attained by both groups.

Maybe another poll?:o

what about IQ, wouldnt that be more suitable, plenty of idiots go to college:D

i tried to breast feed my first dd, i was 22 and she had a lot of trouble latching on, i was milked by the midwifes which was incredibly painful, after a day of agony and an unsettled baby i switch to ff, and she was an angel.

i just decided to do what i know with dd 2 and ff from the start.

i think you'll find that most young mothers do have the intention to bf, but it doesnt work for us all;)

[mylittletwins]

I chose to bottlefeed after trying to breastfeed twins, the milk supply was there but it was hard keeping them both latched on at the same time. I know there are plenty of mothers with multiples that breastfeed and i remember going to a multiple births meeting and the women couldnt believe that i was bottlefeeding, my husband was there with me and we were feeding 1 son each, the mothers were saying that breast is best and you really should join the Australian Breast Feeding Assoc to learn to breastfeed. But my theory was if they are happy bottlefeeding and i know how much they are getting why should i change? I read alot of articles and i cant belive that bottlefeeding is still considered a bad thing, i was bottlefed after being breastfed for a short time and so have alot of people i know and we turned out just fine.

Its personal choice and breastfeeding mothers should accept that

[xkwzit]

Thanks everyone for your contributions, I'm just making sure we don't get de-railed. This poll is on the age of mother who decide to bottle feed, not about what is best - just age. Please keep to the topic and keep it friendly. Disagreements are fine, but keep it polite, you will never know enough about another hubber to make judgements about them.

Cheers