To be anoyed that my midwife likened giving up breastfeeding whilst pregnant to giving up smoking whilst pregnant?

[ikeaismylocal]

I'm 10 weeks pregnant and ds is 15 months old. I have no issues with my pregnancy, iron levels fine, no history of early labour.

I went in for my first midwife appointment this week and all was going fine until I mentioned that I was still breastfeeding ds.

The midwife said I really must stop and he will be terribly jellous whilst the newborn feeds and he will steal all the newborn's milk.

She contradicted herself as she said the advice on breastfeeding was to exclusively bf until 6 months and then bf alongside other food up to 24 months, she said that advice didn't apply to me as I was pregnant.

She said that it was best if I stopped breastfeeding and I had to see it like giving up a bad habit for the best of the baby, she said it was just like giving up smoking (I have never smoked so I have no idea about giving up smoking)

I have looked into feeding whilst pregnant and I have mostly found positive stories. I know there is a chance ds will self wean and I know that if my pregnancy becomes high risk I might need to stop, but I can't see any reason to stop now.

AIBU that she likened breastfeeding to a bad habbit such as smoking? It made me feel like she thought that it was something I did to fufill a selfish need.

Ignore..

I fed throughout my pregnancy and am currently tandem feeding a 13week old and a nearly 2.5 year old. No problems, no issues, no HPs suggested I should stop at any point.

...and congratulations!

Jesus! What an unprofessional woman.
I tandem fed two of my kids (2 year age gap) for nearly 3 years and I was donating to the milk bank too.
They have a fantastic bond and there was no jealousy whatsoever. I'd highly recommend the book Adventures in Tandem Feeding.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

My friend tandem fed with no problems whatsoever !

I wish it had caused my bloody uterus to contract. Was feeding DS1 all through pregnancy number 2 and DS2 was 14 days late.

Carried on feeding two of them for another year and DS1 finally weaned just after his 3rd birthday. DS2 is still trucking away aged 17 months. I don't even enjoy bloody breastfeeding.

In t'olden days my great granny breastfed 6 kids in a row and at one point was feeding 3 of them. She was only 7 stone wet through herself so lord knows where she found the energy. She did though.

Ignore your midwife's advice on feeding. This is what women do. It works. Don't mess with it if you don't need to.

Also, I've lost 4 stone twice in 3 years from BFing so, every cloud!

Tandem fed my youngest two - 2 years and 8 months between them - although it was only a pre bed feed for the older one by the time the youngest was born. Older one gave it up quite naturally after a few months when I asked her if she'd mind stopping.

Didn't seem to do either of them any harm. Youngest is now nearly 27 and 6 months pregnant herself.

Oh, and she was 10 days late. So obviously didn't cause my uterus to contract either.

Worth reporting. Clearly not comparable to smoking, which is (apart from malnutrition) probably the number one global health problem in pregnancy

I think you should report her too, as that is dreadful advice and I shudder to think what other (mis)information she is giving out. She needs serious re-education You could just write it in a letter and give it to the manager. Or even ring up, and speak to the manager on the phone that is less confronting.

Also. Don't stress yourself about giving up, if you don't want to, your milk flavour will change as the pregnancy progresses, your 15mo may actually self wean, and if she doesn't it doesn't matter as the breasts will make the milk suitable to the needs of the new baby so the baby won't miss out. Some people let baby feed first then toddler gets left overs, but you will quickly find what works for you.

As long as you don't have a history of extremely preterm birth then you are fine to continues as you are

Yep, my son was two weeks late and had to be induced twice so no fear of a prematurely contracting uterus there either.

She needs reporting I'm afraid.

Ignore her advice, report her and get a new midwife. She's clearly not up to the job.

Ds1 was 10 days late, and 10 pounds, maybe I will sarcastically tell her I'm hoping breastfeeding whilst pregnant will make this baby on time and average sized;)

My son turned 2 in February & is still feeding & I am 30 weeks pregnant. My supply dwindled a little & at the moment I have serious feeding aversion that makes my toes curl a little, my breasts are soooooo sensitive but he loves his boobalahs & I think weaning him now then the new baby having them so soon will breed much more resentment than them sharing.
What a ridiculous thing for your midwife to say

The midwife sounds like a dick. If you have the energy maybe make a complaint to her supervisor as she obviously needs some training. Hope you don;t have to see her again

Oh dear, what poor advice - I can't imagine what other gems she might have for first-time Mums who may be less aware of pregnancy and childbirth.

I was still breastfeeding DD when I got pregnant with DS (she was about 15 months), we were down to breakfast and evening as I was back at work and she did self-wean when she was 19 months. As PP have mentioned/ experienced, this may have been on the cards anyway or down to changes in my milk. Either way, it was a natural end which DD was totally happy with.

DS arrival and breastfeeding prompted no sudden desire on DD's part to return to the breast, nor was there any feeding-related jealousy.

I think I'd report her comments - she could use some refresher training.

Awful advice. I hope you complain OP for the sake of other women who get to hear the same rubbish but don't have the courage to question it.

I am 17wks pregnant and still bf 3yo DD. My supply has lower but still fine. I am on an FB group of women bfing older children and there are loads of examples of bf during pregnancy, as well as tandem feeding (very cute photos).

Kellymom says that bf during pregnancy produces oxytocin and may cause contractions but so do other things like having sex. It also suggests that the cellular structure of the womb changes at 37wks as it prepares for birth and that is when oxytocin plays a role in birthing contractions.

Please complain about her. God knows who else she is advising like this.

I'm currently feeding a 2yo and a 5 month old. My littlest was induced early (nothing to do with bf) and every midwife and doctor we came into contact with has said it was the extended bf that kept us out of NICU.because right from the start loads of milk was there.

They could have just been making it up to give me a boost but they all seamed genuine

Please do report this, it's utter stupidity and a very hurtful analogy. Congratulations

I urge you to please speak you the supervisor of midwives, you may have a leaflet with contact details or it might be available of the trust's website. This midwife clearly needs her bf knowledge updating, so please do it for the sake of other women that she will give this crap advice to. The most recent bf research emphasises the importance of 'extended' bf and the benefit that the close physical contact it creates with the mother gives (unlike bottle fed babies who are often passed round to everyone to have a turn feeding). Close bonding with a parent actually reduced the likelihood of the child being jealous, because they are confident they have a secure attachment.

I'd report as it's such bad advice.

I had the PN midwife bringing students to see me as it was novel someone tandem feeding nowadays!

Hi OP, I'm exactly the same as you! V interesting reading everyone's comments. I've found that either I've had less milk or ds is going off it. Actually I'm hoping he self weans sometime before the baby arrives as I'll most likely have a c-section and don't want a squirming toddler against the wound. Mind you, if he's still feeding, it would hopefully mean that I wouldn't have the same problems with milk not coming in!

Last time i had incredibly painful boobs during the first second trimester which I haven't so far this time and wonder if bf is partly to do with this.