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Original poster

Teacher's breastfeeding information

55 replies

lurkingaround · 14/03/2015 21:49

So, DD is 9 years old, they have a maternity sub atm, v young (about 24) and by general consensus quite cranky and short-tempered. Very unpopular with the kids. Background is prob not relevant but I am a bit biased against her as a result, and I'm looking for an unbiased opinion.

On Friday, somehow or other breastfeeding came up. Said teacher told the class that now there is 'powdered milk' that's just as good as breastfeeding, so it doesn't matter if you breastfeed or not. And she also pointed out that breastfeeding has disadvantages in that the dad can't feed the baby. And that feeding a 5 year old is 'just silly'.

So. WWYD? Would you correct her somehow?

OP posts:
Callooh · 14/03/2015 21:52

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Fairylea · 14/03/2015 21:56

24 isn't too young for this kind of role and it doesn't mean her opinion is any less valid.

If you feel strongly enough you can discuss the other side of things with your dd.

I have to say however that I agree with her views, as do a lot of other people. She was sharing her opinion. I think it's absolutely fine.

MummyBtothree · 14/03/2015 21:58

Thats her opinion therefore if you correct someone it means you think they are wrong. Breastfeeding made me that depressed it denied my son of his mother. Breast isnt always best, it can be quite a narrow minded opinion to be honest.

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Original poster
lurkingaround · 14/03/2015 22:01

But it's her opinion, it's not the facts. Surely she should teach the facts, not opinion?

True, her age is irrelevant really, I shouldn't have added it to the OP. I don't mean she is too young. She is obv fully qualified.

OP posts:
Vikkijayne2507 · 14/03/2015 22:01

I don't think a teacher should be sharing her own views on the matter. If it comes up she should point out pros and cons about about both. 9 yr olds are very persuadable ime. I would speak to her and find out exactly what she said imo. My 10 yr old dss would filter information

Original poster
lurkingaround · 14/03/2015 22:05

At a population level, breastfeeding is the optimum choice. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but 'powdered milk' is not the same as breastmilk. That's my main point.

OP posts:
Original poster
lurkingaround · 14/03/2015 22:07

DD brought it up on Friday night. She's a fairly good reporter. It upset her a bit because she was breastfed and thought perhaps this was wrong.

OP posts:
DishwasherDogs · 14/03/2015 22:08

If she's teaching, she should be teaching facts, not her opinion.

Yes, powdered milk is fine, and it's entirely up to the individual what they do, but there are some amazing and interesting facts facts about breastfeeding that you don't need to be an expert to know, how it's normal for mammals, it passes on immunities to certain illnesses and so much more.

I don't know how you would correct her, but it looks like she's missed a trick for a good conversation.
I don't suppose knowing about breastfeeding would be a criteria for her job, but I would judge her for being so dismissive about something she probably knows very little about.

claraschu · 14/03/2015 22:08

Her opinion is wrong. Powdered milk is not just as good as breastfeeding. Obviously, as in MummyB's circumstances, there are times when bottles are the only reasonable option, but powdered milk is not just the same as breast milk.

MummyBtothree · 14/03/2015 22:10

I do apologise op, I agree powdered milk is not exactly the same. sorry I misunderstood you xxx

Ledkr · 14/03/2015 22:13

What did u want her to do tho? Give them a huge lecture on the joys of breadtfeeding?
Her points are her opinion buttered nothing wrong with thst.
Im sure most school kids wouldn't need to be told the point about feeding a five year old, they'd think that on their own.

seaoflove · 14/03/2015 22:13

These children are nine years old. I expect they've already forgotten what she said. I doubt that it's going to taint their views when they're parents themselves Smile

Hallamoo · 14/03/2015 22:14

So all the people saying it's fine. Would it still be fine if she said that formula feeding is 'just silly', and that it really matters if you don't breastfeed? After all, it's just her opinion....

milkysmum · 14/03/2015 22:14

Difficult to know how to bring this one up with her really. She is perfectly entitled to her opinion but I agree it might have been more helpful to talk about the health benefits of breast feeding, how other mammals feed in this way etc... Whilst then maybe adding that formula was another option for people unable to or who choose not to breast feed. Not really in her job description though and again not sure how you would broach this with her

bakingtins · 14/03/2015 22:15

I'd be cross. She can say what she likes to her mates down the pub if the subject comes up, if she is talking to her class then she needs to give them correct facts. The only way her age and inexperience is relevant is that maybe it came up unexpectedly and she was unprepared? I would have a word so she can redress the balance.
I'm guessing the posters who think it's fine might be upset if she started teaching Creationism or giving racist opinions or anything else which might be her privately held opinion? As a teacher of impressionable children she has responsibilities to choose what she tells them carefully.

catellington · 14/03/2015 22:15

I think this is disgraceful. Surely teachers are trained not to pass judgment on all sorts of differences between families, why is breastfeeding any different?,as your dd's reaction shows, this opinion from a teacher may make children question their own circumstances. Not acceptable

As for talking about bf dc aged 5, if there were any dc present who were bf to this sort of age, which isn't totally unlikely, I expect this would be very upsetting for them.

Fairylea · 14/03/2015 22:15

I don't think it's a huge deal. Formula milk is a perfectly valid and acceptable feeding choice in the westernised world where we have excellent hygiene and availability of information regarding infant feeding. You could say that to a child but perhaps it's just easier to say what she said?

It is also okay if a woman chooses to breastfeed or not. Either option is fine and is a personal choice. I don't think that was a bad opinion to share.

Breastfeeding does have a disadvantage in that your oh can't share the feeds from day 1 as easily as if you formula feed. That's one of the main reasons I chose to formula feed my second child from birth. Here you go dad I'm off for some sleep... and hand over baby and bottles..

It's such a complex and emotive subject I can see that perhaps she shouldn't have said anything but then again why not share her opinion if it gets the dc talking? I had a science teacher who told us she didn't believe in global warming because God would never let that happen to us....!! We all thought she was absolutely bonkers but it got us talking!

eurochick · 14/03/2015 22:17

I think in terms of explaining formula to nine year olds, she did pretty well. We don't know the context. Perhaps a pupil was formula fed and though it was inferior in some way, so she was trying to reassure that pupil that it was just as good. I suspect it wasn't the right audience to bang on about bonding or how you can squirt breast milk in a baby's eye to cure a sticky eye or whatever.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 14/03/2015 22:19

I'm surprised breast feeding is raised as a subject at school for 9 year olds

OneHappyBunny · 14/03/2015 22:21

I think she did quite well.

Formula in the UK is very safe, it doesn't matter if you breastfeed or not and fathers do have to take a step back if their partner breastfeeds.

The 'silly' feeding a five year old isn't great, but it's not a wildly uncommon view either.

Original poster
lurkingaround · 14/03/2015 22:25

My initial reaction was 'FFS, I'll have to talk to her'. But then I thought about it and wasn't so sure. And I'm already biased against the teacher, and I don't want to be unreasonable. Dd has memories of breastfeeding, she was about 3.5years when she stopped, and catellington said, dd was quite bothered.

OP posts:
pettyprudence · 14/03/2015 22:25

I would be mighty effed off if ds's teachers said that to him, like I would be equally annoyed if they expressed any other opinions instead of facts, such as creationism. I equally would not want them to say "breast is best". In an ideal scenario they would explain the science and facts of bf and ff and then let the children discuss their own opinions on the matter. I would have a word with the teacher though to actually find out what the discussion was and then go into crazy lady mode.

WineListPlease · 14/03/2015 22:26

Good grief, the kids are 9!
Does it really matter if she gave some very slightly questionable information about breastfeeding vs formula feeding?
It's really not a big deal.

MagersfonteinLugg · 14/03/2015 22:28

Maybe she just didn't want the girls to end up feeling shit if they ended up not being able to breast feed ( as happens a lot).

OneHappyBunny · 14/03/2015 22:29

Meh, I'd pick your battles.

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