Comments from nursery nurses at DTS's nursery on breast feeding

[speedymama]

I could not do it, it hurts (she has no children btw). I explained that it hurts because the baby is not latched on properly but they did not believe me

It should not be done in public, mother should find somewhere private to do it.

The only good bit about breast milk is the initial bit that comes out (I assume she meant the colostrum). After that, it is the same as formula milk.

When I told them that I had breast fed the twins until they were 10 months (they stopped of their own accord), they were shocked! I should add that I did do a combination of breast and bottle because I could not produce enough milk.

Breast feeding education in this country needs a radical overhaul - seriously.

were they spouting these opinions to the children or talking amongst themselves?

either way, it's not surprising thay bf-ing rates are so low is it?

what i find most interesting is the "same as formula" opinion, as it's one i've heard from a couple of people. where do you think this idea comes from? directly from the formula companies' "closer to breastmilk" slogan, which to the untrained and hurried eye can appear "same as breastmilk".

and you leave your kids with these nutters?

wmmc - i thought that too, but didn't want to appear inflammatory!

They were talking to me. They are very good btw and the boys love going. They are just misinformed, like a lot of women, about the merits of breastfeeding.

My DH's cousin shuddered and said that breastfeeding was disgusting when I told her that I planned to breastfeed when I was expecting.

Are the staff qualified? I think the childcare qualification - NNEB or equivalent - does cover bf, but I don't know in what detail...

Depends on the nursery I guess. Dd's nursery is very pro-bf, the staff are well informed, and lots of baby room mums visit and bf at lunchtime (I did this myself until dd was 10 months, though she was exclusively bf only to 4 months).

It's a pity. There are two (at least) things going on I think

1. Lack of education - ie they don't know the benefits; don't know that pain is not a necessary part of bf

2. Attitude - I don't get the 'disgusting' thing, or the 'mums should find somewhere private' - where does that come from? What in our society makes us so embarrassed about bf? It's linked to the lack of education, of course, and the fact that rates of bf are so low, but why do people feel it's disgusting? That really intrigues me. Despite the positive policy, I always felt dd's carers were a bit awkward when I bf in front of them. And they were used to seeing it!

doggie - it comes from the fact that as a society we see breasts as sexual objects. breasts are used more as marketing tools than for feeding babies! breasts are more commonly seen on Page 3 than with a baby attached! hence, when people do see a mother doing what is perfectly natural they think back to what they know (breasts as marketing tools/Page 3 etc), cannot equate the two (because anything to do with sex and children is disgusting) and so their heads explode and you get opinions like the ones in the op!!

it''s also because bottlefeeding is seen as the norm. but that's another debate...

I was when my 17 yo came home from work "outraged" that a woman was bf at a table (McDs). He said he'd pointed it out to his manager who said it was none of his business! (good on him!)

All of my kids have been fully bf and I am currently feeding (constantly) his 11 week old baby sister, so where does this attitude come from?

I asked him what she should do and he said "feed it before she went out". He looked a bit sheepish when I reminded him that our baby feeds every hour or so and has been fed in some peculiar places, so if I didn't feed her out of the house I'd never leave it.

The NNEB and BTEC when I took it, did very little info on breast feeding. Spent more time on sterlising and making up bottles. Was just told breast is better. Took all of 30mins
Least they didnt say "euch, i couldnt do that, breast are sexual things"

Aw that's a shame!

I picked my DD up recently (20 months) from nursery and she was not very well, so I took her into a quiet room to breastfeed her. One of the nursery nurse's came in - she didn't see me at first but when she did she sat down right next to me and stroked dd's head while she was feeding and talked about how much she loved dd - it was really nice. She did not bat an eyelid - she certainly seemed better educated about baby feeding that I was at her age!

I'm an incendary type (complained abotu a HV who was -ve about my chances of bf) , so if ti was me I would write to the manager of the nursery epressing your concern that the staff are not more encouraging of mothers choosing to bf, and suggest further training for those involved.
But thats just me I like a fight!

i visited my local bfgroup today and the support worker mentioned that nursery nurses are to be starting training in bfing to catch the 'gap' that is left as the mv and hv are discharging mums earlier. i guess the idea is that if they all have the same training, theyre all singing from the same hymn sheet.....lets hope so eh?!!!!

The manager recently had a baby and breast fed for ....

1 week.

Educating is one thing but ultimately, people have to make their own choices too.