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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

'You can't BF a baby that weighs over 8lb at birth' Is bollocks yes?

151 replies

Kayzr · 15/03/2012 11:19

My cousin had a baby girl a few days ago who weighed 8lb 6oz. Unluckily for her she has the MW that I had with DS2 who told me I couldn't BF as he was over 10lb, had jaundice and had to be tube fed if I refused formula top ups.

My cousin has rung in floods of tears to say that she's been told pretty much the same thing. But it is because (using MW words) it is impossible to BF a baby that weighs over 8lb as you can't produce enough milk. She has refused the top ups for now and MW said she will be back tomorrow and if baby hasn't gained 2oz then she will have to have her admitted to hospital to be tube fed.

My cousins DD has only gone down to 8lb 3oz so not lost a huge amount at all. They are heading to the city near here this afternoon to go to the breastfeeding group for help and advice. But I said I would ask here too.

It is bollocks isn't it? My neice was born at 34 weeks and weighed over 8lb and my SIL is BF but there was some expressing to begin with.

Also can she tell the MW to go away and ask for someone else to be sent?

Thnak you.

OP posts:
NarkedPuffin · 15/03/2012 14:36

Report her. Imagine how many other new mothers she's spouted this shit to.

Flubba · 15/03/2012 14:38

That's awful!! I agree with reporting her - it's absolute nonsense!

Mamasunshine · 15/03/2012 14:41

Complete rubbish!! My friend exclusively breasted both her 10lb + babies no problems...on demand etc.

I tandem fed my 15mo and newborn for several months, how would they explain that?!

The more baby feeds, the more bm will be produced.

TalkinPeace2 · 15/03/2012 14:43

I assume this midwife is well known among the profession in your area for her stupid views
time to get the BF lady and the NCT teachers on board to get people to ask NOT to have her
then the hospital will have to act

Mamasunshine · 15/03/2012 14:44

Honestly I'm so shocked and angry about this, why are the midwives not up to date with breast feeding? I would absolutely complain too when she has the energy too! I was told I couldn't possibly bf my premature 3lb baby, I did as I fed on demand, lots of baby moons etc, I didn't take the nurses advice of feeding every 4 hours Shock

Original poster
Kayzr · 15/03/2012 14:49

I don't know if there is a point complaining. I've complained, a friend has complained about something not feeding related and I doubt we're the only 2.

I received a letter stating she had been sent on a BF renewal course. Which obviously hasn't helped.

OP posts:
nickelhasababy · 15/03/2012 14:50

naturalbaby

"The MW is an 'expert' in delivering babies, not BF!"

not sure what your point is here, but if that's the case, then she shouldn't be allowed to comment on feeding at all

Byeckerslike · 15/03/2012 14:51

Unbelievable! My ds1 was 9lbs and ebf til 8mths

My twins were 6lbs each and are still ebf (well i do feed them other stuff now obviously!) they are 10mths now.

That midwife is shite, although im pretty sure thats already been said! Grin

seeker · 15/03/2012 14:52

Well, I fed mine- 9'9 and 10'6!

blackcurrants · 15/03/2012 14:53

I'd complain again but then (1) I am a mardy cow and (2) I don't have a newborn to cope with!

DS was 9lbs and actually, I was told one of the nicer things about BFing bigger babies is that "they've got a bit more in reserve" so not to worry if his weight dropped at first while my milk came in, just feed feed feed and feed again!

Tell your cousin well done, good luck, and "if in doubt, get one out" - and she'll be rocking the BF in no time. She's a very sorted young woman to be going to the breastfeeding group and getting decent help. It's a crime (well, a crying shame) that midwives are allowed to go around spouting nonsense like that!

grrr. I've got all raging now. Good on her for standing her ground, and well done you for supporting her, too!

chocolateyclur · 15/03/2012 14:57

Big, hairy bollocks. DS2 was well over 9lb and is ebf. He fed/feeds far better than 7lb DS1. And DS2 gained straight away.

Likesshinythings · 15/03/2012 14:58

And then we wonder why we have such low breastfeeding rates [shakes head in despair]

To add to the other positive voices, I had no problems feeding DS who was a 9lb 3oz

Original poster
Kayzr · 15/03/2012 15:00

I am dreading her coming when DD is born. I have requested I don't see her but have been told that if they have a shortage it's her or no one. Sad

OP posts:
duchesse · 15/03/2012 15:01

Call their bluff- say "no-one then thank you". You don't have to let her in.

Original poster
Kayzr · 15/03/2012 15:03

She's at retirement age as she had a birthday picture thing in the local paper last week so I have everything crossed that by June she's had enough and retired.

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 15/03/2012 15:31

AGREE UTTERLY with Duchesse
say that you will go to the press about her views on BF rather than let her near your nether regions

hazchem · 15/03/2012 15:49

Wanted to add a couple of things

DS was 10 pound 2 oz and still is breastfeeding at one year.

but I'm really really cross about this! Today a paper was released saying that ebf is unrealistic for mums. Of course it is if this is the sort of shitty "advice" new mums are given. Arrhhh

Your cousin is really lucky to have you on her side. I am so happy for her to have a lovely newborn baby but feel so cross that she has already been failed by the health service.

Shame shame on the midwife. She should not be called a Health Care Professional at all.

I hope that your cousin goes on to have the breastfeeding relationship she wants with her child.

WhereAreTheCakes · 15/03/2012 15:52

Just have to add my voice to this.

DD was 9lb 6oz and was exclusively breast fed up to about 5 months and then weaned off at 17 months.

This woman is so ignorant

blackcurrants · 15/03/2012 15:52

You really don't have to let 'em in, you know.

Having DS in the USA after everyone in my family had their babies in England has been an eye-opener for me. You leave the hospital after 2 nights with a 'booking-in' appointment with your child's doctor (either your GP or a pediatrician) in the next 3 days ... and that's it. Your next anything mandatory is the 6 week jabs. Obviously you can take your PFB to the doctor every time he sneezes (not that I went twice in the first 2 months Blush ) but no one comes around, there's no weekly weigh-ins, unless you have a problem you get left to do your thing.

DS was big to start with and grew and grew and grew on breastmilk to the extent that at his last checkup (18 months) the doctor positively boggled at how tall he is. But if I'd been weighing him every week and seeing the fluctuations in percentiles I'm sure I'd have gone mad with worry!

If you don't like her, just politely (or rudely!) don't let her in! Grin

Debs75 · 15/03/2012 15:58

counsellor said that sometimes bigger babies can be a little harder to feed.

I couldn't BF as he was over 10lb and it is impossible to BF a baby that weighs over 8lb as you can't produce enough milk( words of MW)

Just by changing a few words you can totally demoralise someone and make them feel that it is impossible. The cousellor could be right but her words are mroe a prewarning that things may be difficult. The MW's are definite and final and could make a new mum feel very guilty if she fails at breastfeeding.

I would not let her in and wouldn't let her near me during pregnancy. It sounds like the PCT are just hoping she doesn't cause too much scandal before retirement and she sounds really set in her ways and won't change her views

CaramelisedOnion · 16/03/2012 22:04

utter shite. My DS was 8lb 4 and exclusively BF till 6 months and is still fed now.

And I am a size 6-8 and a shortarse Grin

tigerdriverII · 16/03/2012 22:08

Just to add: yes, rubbish.

DS was 9,2. Then had jaundice. BF exclusively in terms of milk for 14 months, weaned onto solids about 5 months, never a drop of formula. What is she on about???

feetheart · 16/03/2012 22:08

Total b*llocks - both mine were 8lb 4oz (as was I!) and I fed them perfectly well for 14 mths each. My mum also fed me for 6 mths

MW is a loon but hopefully will be replaced by a sensible, supportive HV in 10 days time.

KabelFlowerBed · 17/03/2012 18:36

Since having had DC3 (who was 11lb) I'm finding all the comments from people when they find out he's ebf quite baffling. There seems to be this expectation that you can't ebf a big baby because you can't possibly make enough milk for them. Do people really think you make a finite amount of milk and if a baby is large they will drink that all up at each feed and be left needing more?

Thankfully for me it's not been the HCP's that have been saying anything. The comments range from the assuming I'm ff type ones, to the 'wow, well done' ones. I've even had a high five from someone for ebf! It's all a bit strange to me really as I'm not doing anything unusual.

That midwife is quite scary as you can't help but wonder what other gaps in her knowledge there are.

ohanotherone · 17/03/2012 20:25

I think the midwife should be truck off ffs! My babies were 8lb 3oz and 8lb 8lb, the bigger one fed more easily because I definatley had enough milk! Twat!