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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

'Young Mum' comments at BF group?

29 replies

EmbraceTheBreast · 10/03/2018 18:43

AIBU to be annoyed?

Name changed because I know a few use this site!

There's a weekly group for those who're feeding their DC to pop along to for coffee/general chit chat.

There is a group leader, but after the initial 20 minute everyone just goes into their own little groups.

At the beginning, everyone introduces themselves and surprisingly, everyone states their ages. As well as how long they've been feeding and number of DC they have.

All fine, no issues doing that. I stated my age. I was then immediately met with "Ohhh, that's young. Did you know you're less likely to breastfeed if you're young? I'll find some articles for you". I smiled and nodded. Said it was a very pleasant experience, for both myself and DS.

I do know the statistics and have read a few articles on the matter. All fine, but I think this leader should've done well to remember I'm not a statistic.

Next question from group leader was "Did your Mum or anyone influence your decision? Maybe your boyfriend, does he find it okay?"

No, I said. My mum didn't breastfeed herself. My husband is great, supportive too.

She then smiled and the group moved on.

I've made friends with two lovely ladies but I've decided the group itself wasn't for me, purely because I felt this leader very patronising. Thankfully some good came out of it though, at the very least.

AIBU to say she is indeed a bit much? She also said to a woman who felt emotional about something "You got this, mumma bear!" - No, she isn't American.

I wouldn't dream of pointing out someone's age category, never mind making comments relating to their age.

OP posts:
EmbraceTheBreast · 10/03/2018 20:16

Also had that experience at 31. No one showed me how to breastfeed, gave any advice or checked it was going okay. After being left all day I asked if I could be discharged and they said they needed to check baby was feeding in some way. Fortunately he had taken to it fine and I had worked out what to do but not one of the midwives knew this. In the end they just let me go and never checked

This sort of bollocks really annoys me and I'm sorry for anyone who's been through it and felt anxious!

Ridiculous how all the benefits and sheer dire need to breastfeed gets trotted out by the NHS, like it's the be all and end all, yet physical support is lacking so much.

It's wrong. And something needs to give, because I strongly believe this must have some emotional impact on a new mother - A mother who's made to think "well I haven't given my baby the best, I have failed them".

It makes me cross. I'm not slating the NHS, I work for them and the people who work for them are often fab, but the way they've gone about breastfeeding influence isn't good enough in, what seems, a lot of areas Sad

OP posts:
Jassmells · 10/03/2018 20:16

On a wider issue I'm not sure how people feel entitled to comment on all manner of things to do with feeding:

  • cleaner in a building I was waiting in "do you feed your baby by the breast" wtf?!
  • taxi driver in Dubai when DD was 18 months "you give her mothers milk yes" ?!

Seriously I don't know how people dare be so prying. As for breast feeding group leaders and volunteers they are an odd bunch. I had volunteers at our hospital "breast buddies" who were meant to help who just came in the room and sat there and nervously smiled and stared at my boobs occasionally saying"you're doing amazing" (I wasn't I couldnt do it whatsoever) I told the midwife to tell them to sod off and look at someone else's boobs.

EmbraceTheBreast · 10/03/2018 20:17

Oh, and I say that as someone who's baby came out of the womb and latched straight on, with not so much as a cracked nipple in sight

OP posts:
EmbraceTheBreast · 10/03/2018 20:19

Jass Sorry you've had a negative experience Thanks

People are incredibly rude, prying and intrusive. Often without even knowing

OP posts:
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