Hmmm. I TRY not to judge... I got pregnant at 19, and had just turned 20 when I had my first child. I was young(ish), inexperienced, scared and uninformed. He had difficulties nursing and it was excruciating for 6 straight weeks. I dreaded feeding him and cringed when he started to fuss and fidget. I was also incredibly bashful about nursing him in front of anyone. We went away to visit family and my husband found me in the spare bedroom with tears streaming down my face, the baby SCREAMING and unable to feed properly. It was a disaster. He looked at me and said "Why are you doing this?" Me: *sob* "Because it's better!" Him: "For who???" Me: *sob* "Both of us!" He took the baby (I clearly needed a break, LoL) and said he supported whatever I decided.
I switched my son to formula and bottles that night and we were all better for it. He was a different baby over night. I don't know if it was my personal stress, my breastmilk, perhaps I wasn't feeding him enough? But he went from cranky and crying to smiley and cheerful. I was able to relax and finally felt like I wasn't failing at this job.
Having said that, I nursed my second son for 3 months (he also had a terrible time. LaLeche and public health never could figure out why it hurt so much more than it should have), my first daughter for 11 months (muuuch better that time) and my second daughter for 5 months. Not excessively long, I know, but still.
I just wanted to share my story, because we don't always know what's going on with people. I didn't feel like I had a lot of places to turn for help without being judged, no matter what my choice. I think that's gotten better in the last 10 years.
It does irritate me when someone doesn't even give it a shot, or gives up because it's "inconvenient". I would much rather have a warm and ready boob than fuss with formula. Now that my littlest one is drinking formula, I always feel like I am either making, warming, running out of or picking up the bloody stuff!!