Why are younger people less likely to breast feed their baby?

Question

I'm doing a paper on teen pregnancy / teen parenthood, and was wondering about this topic.

Is it true that breast milk is best for the baby?

Why is it that younger, less educated and lower class people are more likely to formula feed, when formula cost money and breast milk is free?

Answer 1

The less educated you are, the less likely you are to breastfeed because you don't know how much healthier it really is for the baby.



Breastmilk is much healthier. I am 19, was 18 when I gave birth and breastfeed my baby.

Answer 2

I will tell you exactly why I didn't breast feed my son and chose formula when at the time I may have been considered 'low income' and 'less educated' when I was 20 years old. -I got WIC assistance which covered about 70% of the cost -I did not know how to find/was not offered breast feeding support, education, or training. No internet at home, books did not help. It is not something that comes naturally for most mothers and infants. -No family support -No husband -I could not afford a pump that worked to use while I was working -The manual pump was too hard to use, I couldn't figure out how to get my baby to take to the breast -Even if the manual pump worked well, I could not stop working every few hours to pump -Regular benefits such as being able to pump at work are not offered at minimum wage jobs, whether it is the law or not, they will find a reason to get rid of you -Lower income, less educated people generally work more hours So, I assume all of the above are typical of low income/education. The whole lifestyle is different and there are different challenges. Now, at 29 yo w/ my MBA, I am going to try to breast feed. I bought one of the best pumps, I actually get to stay home for a while w/ the baby, I work in an office and can pump at work, I am married and have family support. I know who to call and where to go for assistance if I need help w/ it. I went from one extreme to the other, so I can compare and contrast well. Does this answer your question?

Answer 3

"Why is is that younger, less educated...people".



There's your answer there, less education on the benefits of breastfeeding. And yes, breast milk is best for baby. I'm a formula feeder, but I did try to breastfeed at first. I think I lacked the support to help me through the latching problems, so that's another reason they are less likely to breast feed. No support.



Another thing is that their own mother probably formula fed them, so that's the norm for them.

Answer 4

First, I think your judging without knowing the facts. I'm 19 and am breastfeeding my little boy, I have a friend that had a child at 17 and breastfed her...yet I know some women in their late 20's - mid 30's that wouldn't breastfeed...it has nothing to do with age.

Actually a lot of lower class people breast feed because its cheaper and they can't afford formula.



Some women have a hard time breast feeding, it can be very frustrating in the beginning and takes a lot of patience.

Breast milk is the best for your baby!!

Answer 5

younger moms usually are less educated about breastfeeding, at least, if not less educated altogether. proper education about breastfeeding and its benefits and how to perservere through the "hard part" is really important and its something that often times is education that must be sought after--its not like anti-smoking ads, the information isn't in your face all the time and the benefits may not be as widely known as they should be.

honestly, selfishness is a big reason, imo. from personal experience with friends and acquaintances younger moms, or first time moms, seem a little bit more selfish and less aware of what would be best for their baby. i'm sure this isn't a problem across the board but when you hear young moms ranting about their "disgusting" post pregnancy bodies and what breastfeeding will "do to my boobs" its hard not to see the selfish reasons behind some people's choice to NOT breastfeed.



breast is definitely best for baby and anyone who insists otherwise is just not educated on the subject enough to even have an opinion...

i don't feel that breastfeeding should be so much of a choice since it is incredibly beneficial and since it is free and since it has very little room for complications as long as the mother is educated on HOW to breastfeed and encouraged to do so.



i do feel that i'm much more concerned with little things that benefit my new baby, more so than i was with my first...just because i'm older and a little less selfish and a little more experienced. so i know that the selfishness, in part, comes from being younger and less experienced in the world...i don't mean that younger moms are "worse" its just a different perspective. i've had both perspectives and i can honestly say that this time around i have a more "adult" perspective and i'm a lot less self absorbed. as an older mom its easier to make sacrifices for my children.

Answer 6

i do hope u mean less educated on breastmilk alone n not generalizing that formula feeding mother are just less educated in general.



im 19 n gave birth to my son 6 months ago. i dint think i would breastfeed from day 1 n the main reason was the looks i thought i would get form other ppl. im from a country wer u wont see a mum breastfeeding in public n its such a shame! my aunt calls breastfeeding mothers cows n i thought i was convinced that i wouldnt breastfeed. though my son is breastfed n i couldnt be happier! it was extremely hard but i dnt give up easily when i set my head for something.



lower class ppl?? wat do u mean by that??



just so u know many mums dnt chose to formula feed over breastfeeding, they just wouldnt have a choice and wouldnt hve managed.



rephrase ur question.. ur just doin it to start a debat n its sad!

Answer 7

This was my answer to another question about the same topic:



Breast feeding is free and a great bonding experience. I blew that one with my first and second, because I didn't know anything about it.



Spent $23/can, once a week with our first from 3 weeks till 12 months. Then with our second I blew it again out of selfishness (not wanting to be bothered, how embarrassing is that!), and spent $13/can from 3 months to now almost 13 months.



I've made a choice within myself, to no matter what, stick to breast feeding this time. She's 3 weeks old today, and had formula for her first 2 days of life because I had surgery the day of birth for my tubal, and couldn't breastfeed because of meds. Once home though I've breastfed exclusively, discluding a handfull of supplement bottles the first 3 days home because my tummy hurt from the surgery. I refuse to give up this time. Especially now that I know more about breastfeeding and how it all works. Not to mention the money aspect. With a 4yr old, 1 yr old, and 3 week old...and my husband taking 2 months leave to help with the transition with the new baby....I'm sticking to it this time. Sore freakin boobs and all lol.



I think about 80% of it boils down to self desire/motivation, and how informed you are on breastfeeding.

Answer 8

Breast Milk probably is best for the baby, But younger people may find it frightening to have a baby feed off there breast milk

Answer 9

breastfeeding isn't 'cool' it's something that for a long time was shunned. Even now if a woman breast feeds in public even discretely people get mad. That's all I can think. I'm 23 and BF my baby and save a lot of money doing it! also WIC pays for formula might be why lower income people use it

Answer 10

because they usually are les education about it and don't have a support system which is very important esp. the first 2-3 weeks!

and usually lower class mothers can get the formula for free with WIC

Answer 11

Lack of education. I at 31 had alot of support at a center called Breastfeeding resouce center. If it wasnt for them and a support peditrican, I dont think I would of surrived

Answer 12

well we are not all the same im 20 and i have a 2 yr old son and i breast fed him for 6mths and i am 33wks pregnant with a girl and i intend to do it again, why do us young mums get put into a catagory, some people cant breast feed and they do say now formula is nearly as good, the best part of the breast milk is the colostrum. some woman may feel uncomfortable doing it and some may just choose not to its not really a crime is it???? i mean fair enough breast is best but less educated thats a little harsh, we all have the right to an opinion and the choices we make, i had a bad experience breast feeding i was actually told to leave the cafe because i could not feed my child there, sometimes its the other people whom are less educated especially if u cant be understanding of others desions...

Answer 13

Of course breast milk is better. It's what babies are supposed to eat, it has antibodies and nutrients that no formula has.



I think younger moms are less likely to breastfeed because they think "eww, baby on my boobs!", and they're afraid of what they'll look like in front of their boyfriends

Answer 14

Probably because it hurts and they have school so can't breast feed. I'm a single teen dad to a 3 month-old girl so I don't have a choice! LOL!



Best answer, please?



Eddie

Gracee's Dad

Answer 15

maybe they just don't want saggy boobs