Cannot believe what GP said to me...

[MrsGumby]

I work in an environment (gotta be careful here) where I liaise with many GPs. I've recently come back to work after maternity leave (DD is now 8 months) and the other day a male GP commented that I'd lost a bit of weight since he'd last seen me (obviously, minus the bump!). I said that the fact that I was breastfeeding probably helped with the weight loss, and he launched into the most jaw-dropping diatribe about how much he "despised" breastfeeding, how the mere thought of it made him feel physically ill, and how he actively told his female patients not to bother with it if they had any queries or problems. At first I thought he was joking, but he was deadly serious. I told him that most midwives would probably club him to death if they heard his anti-"breast is best" views, but he said that he didn't care. I asked him if he'd been breastfed and he said no, so I reckon this reaction is the result of some deep-seated resentment that his mum didn't give him the very best start in life! I cannot believe that a medical professional harbours these opinions (and he's only in his early-40s!).

[moondog]

Fucking lunatic

[JodieG1]

Wow I wonder why he feels that way? Definitely sounds like he has issues imo

[edam]

Couldn't put it better than Moondog. Except to add that he's outed himself as a misogynist. Who shouldn't be allowed near pregnant women or mothers.

[crispyduck]

He sounds like a tit

[determination]

This is coming from an educated GENERAL Practitioner who is likely NOT educated in Breastfeeding..

You should have educated him with some BFing Facts!!

Honestly,.. they bloody ALL need trained when it comes to BFing

[terramum]

Maybe hes thinks "boobs are for sex" .....I would report him though - hate to think of him sabotaging a vulnerbale new mums bfing with that crap

[hunkerdave]

I think I'd probably punch him.

Or report him.

WTF is he doing, actively discouraging women from breastfeeding?! That's criminal (or should be!).

[determination]

ITA with terramum

[MrsGumby]

I think he's definitely in the "boobs are for sex" brigade, and the workplace gossip-mongers tell me that his (substantial) wages have part-funded his partner's copious plastic surgery...says it all, doesn't it? Silicon tits and silicon teats for his missus, no doubt...

[shonaspurtle]

Jeez if it isn't hard enough.

[PrettyCandles]

He sounds really worrying to me and I think you should report him (but to whom?) as he could really muck up any vulnerable mum who comes to him for advice.

[FluffyMummy123]

Message withdrawn

[hunkerdave]

I think I might actually run him over.

[MrsGumby]

I reckon I should tie him to his treatment couch, force him to watch me breastfeed my babe and watch him choke on his own vomit (seeing as he thinks it's all so repulsive).

[Tatties]

[JillyBeansNW]

Is this real? If it is then

[DominiConnor]

I've seen such behaviour from medics before in other issues. I guess it's some form of stress coming from thinking about sick bodies all the time. I suspect that it's just as likely that he holds strong but crazy views about ther thingsl ike eating cheese.
Every wondered why you see apparently qualified doctors promoting junk like homeopathy ?
Same problem.
Doctoring is one of the most stressful jobs. Very high rates of drug and alochol abuse, marriage breakup and suicide.

[QueenDave]

Ah.

He sounds similar to the locum GP that asked why I was still b/feeding DS, "But, he is over 1 years old???"



Report him.

[Spidermama]

Dangerous nutjob. You should report him. Surely there are rules to prevent such loons masquerading as healthcare professionals.

[MrsGumby]

Unfortunately this did really happen and, sadly, views like do this exist in the medical world. It's not only GPs though as I'm sure you all know; I've had BF friends who've had horrific experiences with unsympathetic nurses and midwives. And that's not to mention the occasional barbs from friends and family...my MIL recently told me to "cover myself up" because my gay nephew (the fact that he's gay isn't the issue) was visiting and "would be embarrassed". The fact that I was being as discreet as usual and was probably showing a centimetre of flesh was beside the point. I've breastfed two babies and that was the first time that I've ever been made to feel like I was doing something disgusting. And my MIL breastfed five babies herself, so what was she thinking??!!

[yellowrose]

I would report the idiot to someone (if you can given that you work with other GP's) anonomously if poss. as he may well be undermining mums who are trying to bf.

It is unacceptable in ANY prof. to have such views, esp. as this is a serious public health matter, it's not a joke.

Next time you see him tell him he needs to see a therapist, if possible the therapist should show him video's and photos of babies being bf. Alternatively he is welcome to go to a local LLL meeting to overcome his irrational phobia of bf

[sweetkitty]

I would report him too

When one of the community MWs saw I was BFing DD2 she said "well only do it for 6 months after that it's only for the mothers benefit - wtf?!!"

[motherinferior]

He is quite, quite barking. It does make me wonder how he deals with other aspects of women's bodies, too. Physically ill????

[yellowrose]

I can understand why a health prof. may not wish to promote homeopathy or hebal meds. (it undermines their own work) but not why they may deliberately undermine bf.

Alternative meds. and therapies, may just be placebo, but placebo is great if it means that you feel better, either pschologically or physically.

Bf apart from its proven health benefits, also has has a placebo effect on children. I can see it in my own son.

Most health profs. in this country neither understand the health benefits of bf nor it's pschological/placebo results.