HV views on tandem feeding

[mush4brains]

I am epxecting nos 2 in sep & will almost certainly still be bfeeding ds1- who will be then 11 months old. I have had several run ins with HV as the local ones seem to know very little about bfing & have come across as very keen to get mums to stop asap rather than pushing it.
I know that I will be greeted with distain by the HV when I explain that I am tandem feeding & wondered if anyone has any useful advice on the matter. I am getting slowly worked up by the thought of having to explain myself to them while they look at me as if I am a moron I thought about just declining to see them but have been told if I do that then social services will be involved- am really not sure that this advice is correct though & have yet to look into it.
Any advice on how to deal with HV doubters ( & MIL too!!) would be very welcome.

[Nbg]

Firstly, you dont have to explain yourself to anyone, secondly, you dont have to see a HV at all if you dont want to and thirdly social services wont be called.

You'll get some great advice on here. Sadly I'm not up on all the BF info and I lost all the links that I saved when I had my last child.

But usually TikTok, Mears, Moondog and loads others are great with BF advice.

[edam]

Social services won't get involved unless there are other reasons for concern. I'd let the HV do her first visit after the midwife signs you off just to keep her happy. But then stay away if you like, or just get baby weighed and get out of there. You don't have to listen to any advice and if she does try to hand any out, you can just smile and nod or say 'no thanks'.

[mush4brains]

Thanks, I was thinking of just maytbe having 1st visit & then bowing out quietly but we have a new MW she told me they get really funny if you dont go to regular weigh ins till 3 months & social services get called. I stopped going with DS1 at about 12 weeks so dont know if they are twitchy before that time

[daisybo]

agree with edam. i have only seen my health visitor twice since dd was born, so don't worry too much about avoiding them
i have never tandem fed, but know several people who have, and i can't see it being a big problem. if it's what you want to do then just do it, just nod and smile at everyone and completely ignore what they say

[harpsichordcuddler]

hello mush4b
I would just not tell them unless they ask and don't apologise about it! I didn't go to the clinic at all with dd2, she was clearly fine and didn't need the hassle. and no-one even noticed or cared
I tandem fed for about 9 months, it was wonderful! and I have two gorgeous happy healthy children.
would it help to read about it so you can just happily ignore them?

[mush4brains]

Hcc- have been reading adventures of tandem feeding, which is great- just not met anyone in real life who has tandem fed! My DH & I think it sounds wonderful & cant wiat to give it a go, just sadly bfing carries a slight stigma in my area so know if it comes out then we will be given quite a hard time.......however am also of the thinking that unless people become more aware of it then its not going to get any better for others.

[scienceteacher]

I tandem fed for a 15 months. #4 was just under 3 when #5 was born. It really wasn't a problem. The older child knew the baby had priority.

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[louii]

Tell them nothing

[Reallytired]

Join La Leche League and they might introduce to some people who are tandem feeding.

Good luck with your baby

[EscapeFrom]

who told you SS will get involved!?

Nah. They have enough to do already!

[determination]

Print off the WHO recommendations which clearly states Breastfeeding exclusively for 1st six months is recommended then to continue brestfeeding until 2 and beyond...

I would take this and educate them on the WHO recommendations just to see them coz they dont know their stuff!

[nightshade]

health visitors are there to give advice not dictate how you should parent.

don't know why you are so worried. as long as your children are happy and healthy there needn't be any concerns.

it is your decision what you tell them and what you don't.

[mush4brains]

NS- our ones seem to think they are there to dictate & they hate it when you take info or answer them back!There are 2 very ferocious women, one of whom thinks the answer is to shout at the mums, normally resulting in them bursting into tears. Very old school matron
EF- MW at local surgery, although I do think she may have only just qualified & maybe wasnt getting what I was trying to ask.
RT- our local LL group seems to have disappeared & am member of local NCT but they dont have any tamdem feeding mums at mo.

[determination]

Exclusive Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. A recent review of evidence has shown that, on a population basis, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the optimal way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.

Found here

[Amberjee]

hi mush,

i'd just have as little to do with the HV as possible (that's my approach and I haven't had SS on the door yet!)

anyway, just thought i'd mention there is some great info on kellymom website which i saw the other day

tandem nursing