to be shocked at the lack of bfing knowledge in the nhs?

[CailinDana]

I bfed ds for a year. I had some difficulty at the start but a great mw sorted me out. Overall a very positive experience. So when i had dd four months ago i assumed bfing would be the least of my worries. Unfortunately largely thanks to incredibly ignorant treatment by nhs staff it's been a nightmare.

I found a lump on my breast when dd was about 2 weeks old. Went to the gp and she said it was "probably something to do with bfing" and to come back in 6 weeks if it was still there. I went again at 8 weeks to a different gp who was surprised at what i'd been told - the policy is that a breast lump must be seen by a specialist within 2 weeks. The other gp had fobbed me off and ignored policy because i was bfing. Why, i don't know. I presume ignorance.

Was sent to iopsy anyway. I reminded her that i was bfing and asked if a biopsy would affect that. No no i was told it'll be fine. But, the hole created by the biopsy wouldn't heal and started to leak milk

I completely agree -we want you to bf but give no support at all when you have problems. 3 HV told me to ff. not one was bothered to find out what the problem was (tt diagnosed by mumsnet!)

I have battled to keep bf, now trying to increase my milk supply. No idea how to do this & will have to pay a lactation consultant to help me as none are employed by local NHS.

Crap crap crappy crap

That sounds awful OP and I can sympathise as my SIL has had awful advice from HCPs and with mastitis and other issues gave up BF a lot earlier than she wanted.

On the other hand my GP practice are very pro-bf and they are very knowledgeable, I saw a young male GP who was thrilled to find I was still BF past a year who couldn't have been more helpful/interested and my HV BF her DC to 6 yrs old. If all HCPs were like this then it would be a lot better support, more training is probably the key but the NHS is cutting back in all areas so I cant see it improving for everyone any time soon.

YANBU.

I've had some rude and bizarre comments from HCP's about breastfeeding too. Makes my blood boil!! No wonder the general public is so disillusioned and misinformed about breastfeeding if even the 'professionals' don't have a clue!

My DH is a GP and I've been telling him all sorts of interesting facts and tips from MN and my LLL meetings, and he tells me that he passes them on if any of the patients need help :)

De ja vu.

Have you posted about this recently? Or has someone had the exact same issues?

Someone posted about a biopsy of a breast not healing and being told it was normal.

All replies told her it absolutely was not normal.

Same person?