Cannot believe what GP said to me...

[MrsGumby]

I work in an environment (gotta be careful here) where I liaise with many GPs. I've recently come back to work after maternity leave (DD is now 8 months) and the other day a male GP commented that I'd lost a bit of weight since he'd last seen me (obviously, minus the bump!). I said that the fact that I was breastfeeding probably helped with the weight loss, and he launched into the most jaw-dropping diatribe about how much he "despised" breastfeeding, how the mere thought of it made him feel physically ill, and how he actively told his female patients not to bother with it if they had any queries or problems. At first I thought he was joking, but he was deadly serious. I told him that most midwives would probably club him to death if they heard his anti-"breast is best" views, but he said that he didn't care. I asked him if he'd been breastfed and he said no, so I reckon this reaction is the result of some deep-seated resentment that his mum didn't give him the very best start in life! I cannot believe that a medical professional harbours these opinions (and he's only in his early-40s!).

[Caligula]

I agree he should be reported.

This is a public health issue. The government is in favour of breastfeeding rates increasing, the NHS is in favour, PCT's are in favour, and he is employed by them and a representative of them. This is a serious public health issue and it is unacceptable that medical professionals are allowed to carry on like this.

[Pruni]

Message withdrawn

[Marina]

Please report him. I reported a woman GP for humiliating me during a consultation for tonsillitis (me). I asked for abs that would not cross into breastmilk and when I said ds was 18 months she told me to give up at once, what ridiculous nonsense etc.

[bluejelly]

[Socci]

Message withdrawn

[bluejelly]

Am totally staggered. Does he not read medical text books? Benefits of bf are incredibly well documented.

[BadHair]

Hhmhm, a health professional who is giving inaccurate and misleading advice to vulnerable patients? Advice clearly based on personal prejudice and not backed by any reputable medical research? Definitely sounds like grounds for a complaint. If nothing else it might make him re-evaluate his ridiculous ideas.

[yellowrose]

Marina - I would be a millionare if given 5 quid each time a health prof. has undermined me/taken the piss when I said I was bf a toddler. I have moved to a different town recently and seen a GP for my own sickness who said nothing at all when I said I was bf my son who is 2.8 yo, but was quite shocked that he said nothing. Normally they do.