At what age do hospitals stop asking if dc were breastfed/type of birth?

[buckeejit]

Just that

It's been a few years thankfully since I've been in hospital with dc but I think ds was 5 or 6 last time & they still made notes that he was born by section & how long he was breastfed for.

He's 10 now & dd is nearly 7. When do they stop wanting to know & is there any need to write this info on notes about dc?!

They still ask into the teenage years, IME.

Bloody hell. What real difference does it make?

I assume it’s potentially clinically relevant. Otherwise the doctor wouldn’t be wasting their time asking.

When DS2 (then 8) was seen by the coeliac clinic, the consultant told me that coeliac disease is more common in children who were not breastfed and also children born by c-section. But they don’t know why that is. So presumably it’s useful for them to ask about this.

She also pulled out a growth chart (does every time). So that’s something from infancy that also become clinically relevant in later years under particular circumstances.

I am still asked and DS is 8yo. He has classic autism, and every professional we have ever been in contact with asks about my pregnancy, the birth, feeding and sleeping as a baby, weaning as a toddler and early development.

I will be glad when I am no longer asked if DD had a "normal" birth.

It's helpful for research. Particularly re breastfeeding because the only way you can track the benefits is by large population observation which can then be adjusted for other factors.

They ask because it's clinically relevant.

They're not asking to judge you, I wouldn't let it bother you.

I’ve never been asked this since DD was an infant!

It's not to judge you. It's because it's relevant. And as someone else says, how do we know about all these benefits of breast feeding without this information.

We were asked at DD's mh assessment at 15. Embarrassing for dd for some reason. Camhs seemed impressed she was fed so long, apparently it's unusual

They are not asking to judge you at all. Sadly a traumatic birth that required emergency interventions may result in life-long neurological consequences to the baby. This is just one example but it often may be clinically relevant.
If you don't have much to report - just say something brief, like it was a VB / CS without complications, with no concerns during pregnancy and after birth. That's literally all they want to know.

I'm still asked now whenever ds is referred to a new specialist - he's 15!

But he has a neuromuscular disorder and autism and so mainly with neuromuscular it's relevant. Especially as cerebral palsy (which they originally thought he had) can be caused by infections during pregnancy (which I had a kidney infection), emergency section (which I had) and also they like to know about early feeding as struggles with this can also be a sign.

Turns out ds is genetic condition but I'm still asked by new consultants!

I still get asked this, my son is five in June, I give my usual answer “he’s adopted”, although one doctor continued asking about his birth

I was asked prior to an op when I was about 45 whether I knew if I'd been bottle of breastfed!

I have to review psych reports occasionally as part of my job and they ask patients even during those appointments. Some of these people are in their 60's. It's usually a passing comment like "it was a normal birth" which I take to mean uneventful.

I can remember being asked this when my DD was 15! She is now 36.

No one has ever asked me about this for my kids!

I think it’s great they ask about breastfeeding.

It goes to show that the NHS advice on the benefits of breastfeeding is well researched so new mothers can make an informed decision. Lots has changed in the last few generations so there has to be ongoing research.

I don’t know if it is always clinically relevant but it is easier if you are systematic in taking a clinical history because then you won’t forget or dismiss something which is relevant because you are trying to filter the questions.

Also some places I worked had pre printed forms which had space for this information and they had the same form for all admissions.

Most of the data won’t be audited.

Argh... but isn't it silly? It really is. Who cares? Who knows? I did everything "wrong" (caesar and couldn't b/f) and my kids a little champion. In time you get to laugh it off I think

Dd was asked when she was assessed for dyslexia before going to university

I was asked for DD a couple of months ago and she’s 13. She’s got scoliosis and was being assessed for surgery.

My son was asked last year at the Diabetes clinic and he's 26.

@VeryShortNotice very likely to do with the microbiome, and how it forms differently in Caesarian born and bottle fed babies. Fascinating research going on if you’re interested?

This thread has surprised and interested me. I noticed I was still being asked by clinicians other than GP/nurse practitioners and I assumed it would stop soon as DC is 2! Clearly not!