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When I was pregnant with my first child, I knew immediately that I was not going to breastfeed. The women in my Lamaze class, friends at work, and even some family members told me that I should, but I knew in my heart I just couldn't do it. It wasn't for me. I did all of the research, saw the statistics, and still decided that I wasn't going to do it. I can't explain what my aversion to breastfeeding was; I loved being pregnant and I wanted the very best for my unborn child. I just couldn't imagine nursing.

Since my first pregnancy, I have been blessed with two additional children. I didn't breastfeed any of them, nor did I try. I didn't have any issues with my breast-milk coming in; in fact, I endured a few days of pain waiting for it to go away. Through each pregnancy, I was told by just about everyone that I HAD to nurse my child, that if I didn't I wasn't being a good mother. It seemed as though everyone had an opinion about my choice for my child and myself. When I was in the hospital after the births of my first two children, a breastfeeding advocacy group came to my room to coach me on the proper procedure for breastfeeding. When I explained that I was going to bottle-feed. I was met with disgust and disbelief. The woman that visited me after my second child literally stormed out of my room. After the birth of my third child, who was born prematurely, I actually had a doctor lecture me for an hour straight about how I should be nursing. I had just undergone an emergency c-section, my son was in an incubator, and I was standing in the NICU in tears because this doctor (who, by the way, had no children) told me that I wasn't acting in the best interest of my child. She threatened me with getting Children's Services involved. I was horrified.

Deciding whether to breastfeed is a personal decision. You, and only you, can decide what is right for you and your baby. The baby formulas on the market today are vastly superior to the old "canned milk and Karo syrup" home concoctions of the past. No, they are not entirely equal to breast-milk, but they are pretty close. Talk to your partner about your feelings, and be honest with both them and yourself. If you are not comfortable with the process, don't do it. I have seen many a new mom go through considerable heartache because they were forced into breastfeeding.

All of my children were, and are, extremely healthy. My 12-month old has had one, very minor, cold and otherwise has never been sick. My older children were equally as healthy - between the two, I believe I visited the doctor five times during their infancy for something other than routine examinations and immunizations. I'm not a medical doctor, nor do I claim to have all of the answers. I do know that you can raise a happy, healthy baby without breastfeeding.

Learn more about this author, Tammie Kuhn.
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