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Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

Grrr, I'm so angry at GP

19 replies

Klio · 02/02/2007 15:27

Ds is 9mo and I'm still breastfeeding him, pretty much on demand. It is really upsetting me how many health professionals are shocked and critical about the fact that I'm still breastfeeding. Last time I saw the hv for his developemnt check she was really odd about it and kept telling me I didn't have to still be feeding and I could stop now. She kept asking me if I was comfortable with still breastfeeding and was I feeling pressured into it. I was so angry with her and told her I was happy that I was still breastfeeding and felt totally comfortable with it.

So I went to the GP today with ds as he has an ear infection and he was really nice, made a joke about me feeding ds as he has 8 teeth "brave woman" kind of thing. Then as I was walking out of the room he started saying that I didn't have to still be feeding ds, it would be a good idea if I stopped now and that after about 4 months breastfeeding should be cut down and stopped. I couldn't believe what I was hearing and was actually speechless. I told him that I was happy still to be feeding and I would stop when I felt the time was right and he said it was up to me but I shouldn't leave it too much longer.

What gets me is that when you're pregnant / have a new born you are told time and time again that breast is best. However if you are able to breasfeed and do keep it up at a certain point you are suddenly labled a freak and that you are not doing something that is quite normal. Why? Oh I'm so mad at the moment

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Tatties · 02/02/2007 15:29

This attitude is awful isn't it? You know you are doing the right thing though, just be comforted by that.

belgo · 02/02/2007 15:31

I would be annoyed at that too. I admit to still bf my 16 month old to my HV and GP, but would never tell them I still bf on demand , as I really don't want to hear their disapproving opinions (I do have one HV who is very pro bf fortunately.)

sideways · 02/02/2007 15:32

It's mind-blowing isn't it, that gps can trot out such crap. My gp told me there was no benefit to bf after 8 months. Obviously I ignored her.

kiskidee · 02/02/2007 15:43

all it proves is how underinformed those health professionals can be.

here, go to www.drjacknewman.com and look at his breastfeeding handouts. he has an excellent one on bf toddlers.

i can't do links now as i am at work.

PinkTulips · 02/02/2007 15:48

that there are health professionals like that.

i'm so lucky that all the ones i've encountere have been brilliant, either really positive or politely disinterested in how i feed or how often i feed.

helenhismadwife · 02/02/2007 21:49

I would be very tempted to write a letter of complaint about both the HV and the GP, they sound very much like they need to go on a BF update!!

yellowrose · 02/02/2007 22:04

klio - bollocks is my favourite word at the moment so bollocks to your hv and gp.

IGNORE THEM.

I bf a 2.7 year old son, yes he walks and talks and we bf ! He is the healthiest, brightest, happiest, cheekiest monkey I know and much of this is due to bf

Klio - just go by your instincts. Feed as long as you and baby want to. Those who tell you to stop haven't bf, so they don't know what they are talking about.

yellowrose · 02/02/2007 22:07

...and what exactly was he suggesting you feed a baby AFTER FOUR MONTHS ? Lard ?

MissGolightly · 02/02/2007 22:07

I am still bfing my 9 month old and people largely mind their own business but if any health professionals DO say anything I just ask them if they are aware what the current WHO recommendations are. That tends to shut them up as they don't like to be seen to be contradicting WHO policy.

Pruni · 02/02/2007 22:11

Message withdrawn

MissGolightly · 02/02/2007 22:12

LOL at the lard YellowRose - I would like to see the Annabel Karmel "lard medley" recipe.

moondog · 02/02/2007 22:13

lol Pruni

What a wanker Klio (and her)
I would be inclined to send a letter of compalint accompanied by reams of relevant data.

emkana · 02/02/2007 22:14

pmsl pruni

I was informed by the lung specialist that past 9 to 12 months there was no advantage to continuing b/feeding...

MissGolightly · 02/02/2007 22:15

PMSL Pruni!

yellowrose · 02/02/2007 22:32

Golightly - yes there is a receipe in one of her books (I better insert ALLEGEDLY here in case someone wants to sue me ????!!!) where you wrap a piece of bacon round into the shape of a snail, wrap it round a chunk of lard jut to give it that extra oooohhhh la la. Make a green landscape with pieces of lettuce and flowers with bits of tomato and red peppers. Place snail in landscape.

Very nice served to a 3.5 month old

ingym23 · 03/02/2007 09:42

I am angry at my GP too. I took DS2 to see him because he has a white tongue, and the GP diagnosed Thrush and prescribed him Nystatin.

He also told me I would have to express my milk for a few days to break the cycle of it passing between the two of us (even though I have had no sympoms).

I thought about this when I got home and rang the Breastfeeding Support Network, who told me this was rubbish advice, and that it would cause more problems than it would solve. So I refused to do it.

I am really cross with the GP. I bf my first son till he was about 15 months old, but if DS2 was my first, I may have taken the dr's advice, and who knows what may have happened to our bf relationship.

I really felt he was trying to sabotage my efforts...DS2 was only 2 months old at the time....and to make matters worse I saw another GP a few days later, who didn't think it was thrush afterall!

Notquitesotiredmum · 03/02/2007 09:47

Loads of sympathy for you. I fed both of my sons until they were 3 and got nothing but sighs and criticism. I used to print out leaflets like the Jack Newman ones and take them into unhelpful health professionals. At least it might help someone else get less criticism!

Well done you for keeping feeding. Neither of mine tried solids until 10 months - and they are both horrible healthy and energetic now.

Difers · 05/02/2007 15:39

They are the Weirdoes, print this thread off and post it to them.

Klio · 07/02/2007 10:09

I keep trying to reply and computer keeps crashing, how very odd!!

Any how thanks for all your messages. I do intend to write a letter of complaint about this as frends of mine have suffered similar comments. I go to a BFN support group and am intending to have a chat with the lady who runs it when I go tomorrow.

What gets me is that ds is not a scrap of a thing struggling to survive and so in need of feeding up but a strapping great 26lb boy who is head and shoulders above all his little friends and off every chart

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