Extended breastfeeding and perceptions of social workers

[SparklePffftBANG]

From another thread, where someone was saying she had heard from a SW that she would get involved if she heard of a mother breastfeeding an older child.
I know this is a third hand story and I am NOT up for SW bashing, but lots of people have prejudice against ebf, some SWs possibly do, in theory what could happen???

sorry this is not a thread to start an argument, it is because hearing that has sent chills up my spine

Nothing. If it's true the woman is mad and is getting her individual believes mixed up with her professional opinion.

So they couldn't start any proceedings based on the fact a child is being breastfed at, say, 6? Obviously this assumes that everything else requires no intervention - no nutritional deficiency etc.

No, they couldn't.

phew :) thanks

My MIL is a sw. She is v uncomfortable with bfing beyond 2. But this has nothing to do with her professional role.

that's good, thanks SOH

One of my best mates is a children and families SW. I'm still feeding my nearly 4yr old DD and her response was "blimey, rather you than me, but good on you!"

My MIL would have reported me long ago if it was a problem. She is a children and families SW too, specifically working with children up to the age of 8 or so.

She said a long time ago that she actually has never met an extended bfer through work. The issues she sees are nothing to do with bfing.

I'd think SW would have better things to spend their time on.

And anyone who thinks natural term bfing is a source of concern for a SW is really quite ignorant

well that's what i thought Kara, but the (reported) conversation was a SW saying she would intervene if she found out about such a thing.
I don't go round chatting about it, but it's not a secret either and it just worried me

I'm a trainee SW.

Tbh, I think the info you heard was 3rd hand so you shouldn't focus too much on it as you don't know the context, or the real content of what was said.

SWers have much more pressing matters to attend to than how long a mother bfs for. Unless there are signs of poor attachment, or confusion about feeding methods or issues around touch then I can't see a SWer having an issue with it.

All depends on the unique situation though.

Thanks :) I know I was overreacting and the info was third hand but it was just so shocking I panicked!
Nice to hear it from the horse's mouth...not that I'm calling you a horse...

Ummm, thanks Stealth, we won't take it personally

I do have a friend who was doing a child protection course, and was told that BF past 2 (I think?) was cause for concern. My friend was a mix of and at this, fwiw.

quite apart from anything else that's contrary to the WHO and NHS guidelines.