Hellobee Boards

@MrsTiz: It's not looked down upon but EBF isn't the "only" way around here. I think people are just very realistic that sometimes it doesn't work for everyone. I only felt a little guilt when I stopped BF'ing. I say you do what you want sista

yes. i only know 2 people that didn't at least try to breastfeed. i'm sorry to hear your mom isn't supportive and that it's not the norm in your area. maybe when the time comes you could find a LLL or another nursing mothers' group in your area for support.

I think it's pretty normal around here, just as much as formula. I don't "see" it happen, but judging from how many women have asked me flat out "are you going to BF?", I think it's assumed that every mom should at least try. I have friends who couldn't BF very long and gave up as well as friends who have gone on longer than a year! I'd say it's 50/50.

I think so. It the norm with my family and friends

I feel like formula feeding is looked down on where we live, but after meeting many moms, it seems as if BF/formula feeding is 50/50. When I was feeding my LO thawed breast milk, I would bring formula when I was out with her and sometimes got the side eye.

I have no idea. I don't know many people with babies. I have seen a couple women nursing in public with covers.

@MrsTiz: It is not the "Norm" in my area but it is not unheard of. BFing is not looked at as being "poor" but is looked at as "crunchy". I personally do not know any other Mom that is currently BFing but I do have an aunt that extended BF all of her children. She is the only person I know IRL that has breast fed. I proudly BF everywhere and anywhere though. I would love for it to become more normal here. DD's Pedi is always impressed when he finds out I'm still BFing he usually assumes she is on Formula at her appts and I have to correct him.

Except for one person I know, I'm the only one to have breastfed this long (4 months and going strong). Everyone I know has tried and ends up switching to formula. I honestly think they just weren't educated enough. It's not frowned upon tho.

My sisters both breast fed, but not for a year... I'm not sure how long they lasted. My mom breast fed the last 2 of her kids (my little sis and me), because before that everyone used formula in the 6os and 70s and we were 80s babies, when breast feeding became popular again.

I just toured a daycare in Hoboken, and I saw the "under 1's" fridge, where each child had their own plastic box with their bottles in it--- and they were all empty but 1. When I asked why, they said all but one was formula fed, and they just mix the formula on site..... So the one that had something in it (they were actually pumped bags) was the only breast fed baby. I was surprised there was only 1 out of 15 or so.

But then again, maybe others were breast fed for a while before switching, so it's hard to say.

Most of the woman I know who have recently given birth have breastfed but I don't think it's necessarily the norm. For almost all of them, finances played a role but it was also a choice that they made because they felt that it was the best option for their child. Of the dozen or so new moms that I'm thinking of, I believe that only one or two of them made it a year. Most did it for 6 months, some for less. I've only witnessed one of them do it in public and she wasn't in the least bit shy to whip it out whenever and wherever. Most BF'ing moms that I know are a bit more modest.

I think everyone here tries to breastfeed. The hospital I gave birth at is very pro-BF. They don't give out formula samples and in the post partum parenting groups, nearly everyone will BF unless they can't for some reason.

ETA: I'm in Seattle.

@sunny: This is like our hospital too! They don't give coupons or samples for any formula, but will give baby formula in the hospital if they have to. They are very proud of being "baby-friendly" certified and have their own Lactation Baby Center and free PP groups. It's very obvious they believe "breast is best!" - no qualms about it.

@shopaholic @sunny same with the hospital I work at here! "Baby-friendly" designation is very important to the hospitals here and there are free breast feeding groups once a week at each hospital. So BFing is very normal, and in fact formula feeding tends to be looked down upon if anything.

I'm in NYC (Brooklyn) and breastfeeding is definitely the norm here. People do everything they can to BF - private lactation consultants, support groups etc. People in my mom's group BF in public all the time, often with no cover, and nobody cares. I definitely feel self-conscious when I bust out the formula, but luckily I haven't gotten any judgey comments.

Very much so, it's assumed that you BF unless you can't for some reason. And breastfeeding toddlers is not uncommon. Whenever I would try to nurse somewhere quiet (like in a bathroom, because LO was crazy distractable) I would get worried ladies pep talking me about how I shouldn't be embarrassed to nurse in public

Yes! Seattle is very pro-breastfeeding. Especially without covers.

We just moved a couple months ago so I'm really not sure. Everyone breastfed where we used to live, though. Nursing in public doesn't phase me at all.

Yup, I'm in WA state and BF-ing is def the norm here