Attitude from health professionals

[tabbyH]

My dd had her mmr jab this week at 15 months by the practise nurse. Previosly the jabs have been done by the HV so she is relatively new at dealing with mums and babies. One of the questions on the form in the red book relates to if the child is still breastfeeding. Now instead of asking me 'is she still breastfed?' she said 'is she feeding normally now, with a bottle?'

It just made me wonder how many other health professionals there are who either make this kind of blunder or who seem to believe bottle is best/normal. To be fair to nurse, I don't think she meant what she actually said!

And yes, she is still breastfed. Tried to give it up but Dd having none of it!

I'm really glad that not all HCPs are so ignorant. DS was in hospital just before his first birthday. When we were admitted they asked about what food and drink he'd need, I mentioned I was BFing and the nurse immediately said "ok, I'll put you down for your own meals then" - so I had all my meals provided! They were also happy with me cosleeping when DS was stressed with having the nebuliser. The nurse was totally unfazed when she had to wake us up for the next treatment, and my boob was still out :o

I think ignorance stands out most for me when we are at the hospital - I find myself thinking that just a couple of wards away MWs are busting a gut trying to help women feed newborns and yet so nearby there are these ridiculous attitudes.

I got a slip from the HV. She talked about when mine reached six months she could hold a bottle despite me actually breastfeeding infront of her

Jung - They were fine with me co-sleeping/bfing with DD3 when she was there (except the time when she was really poorly and had an NG tube/oxygen/head box so wasn't able to co-sleep)and they were really glad to swap the cot with an adult bed (did have to ask for bars though) as they were short on cots!

I was [shocked] though when DD2 (3y/o) was ill and at A&E. I'd said she was normally bfing about once every few days - the nurse suggested trying some cows milk to see if she'd drink that so I asked for it in a ordinary cup. The nurse then said she'd get a bottle instead as she must still be on bottles if she was bf. Er no she's 3 YEARS not 3 MONTHS!

NotQuiteCockney - I was wondering - in what way do you fit the stereotype of a breastfeeding mum in your area? How would someone fit the stereotype of a bottle feeding mum in your area?

thats my fav topic

I've recently met my new HV (just moved to new area and registered with new practice) and a new MW (newly pg :)). Both were extremely nice and generally supportive but definitely gave the impression that they thought it was a bit weird/unnecessary that I was still bfing 27 month DD, in a "well it's up to you of course but it's fine if you stop now" kind of a way. One of them though (can't remember which, baby brain ) did tell me that I would have to make sure that DD got lots of calories elsewhere now that I was pg as my supply might suffer - it really sounded as though they thought I wasn't actually giving my toddler any solid food

Also my dad is a (retired) GP and apparently thinks that still nursing DD is entirely pointless/a bit weird

I went to the GP with a very sore nipple when my dd was about 4 months old. The very first question he asked was when I was going to stop BF her.

Had two courses of antibio that made no difference to sore nipple. Then I found a lump there and was refereed to breast clinic. At the breast clinic they couldn't do enough to help/encourage me to BF (had dd with me)I guess because it reduces (or should that be ff increases?) the risk of breast cancer, although they did say that if they found a cancer they would advice me to stop feeding.

Anyway lump turned out to be milk and sore nipple athletes foot, cleared up like magic with some cream.

You can get athletes foot on your nipple??!

Normally called thrush if it's on your nipple, but it's caused by the same yeast infection as athlete's foot.