Was I right contradicting the Dietician?

[DorisIsAPinkDragon]

Sorry a bit of a long winded rant but still brooding about HCP and lack of knowledge!

DD2 had (another) regular clinic review on thurs, She's now 11 months and the dietician asked when she's going to start being weaned from the breast "as I might want to go back to work" (maybe not yet as DD2 has longterm healthcare needs!)

I suggested that as the WHO recommend breastfeeding until 2 we would feed until she no longer wanted it...... to which she said but that's really just for developing countries not us!

I then generally made diagreeding noises and she came back with "women in africa and the like have to stop bf'ing when they're pregnant so their milk can "come in", to which I replied that was just not true as women can tandem breastfeed.

The dietetic imput into dd's care is V. important as it is a significant part of her staying well but have lost a lot of respect for this individual, as I'm sure she was incorrect

Ps she bf her dd to 1yr so is not anti bf'ing.

Oh Dear - just pure ignorance in the truest form then? I suggest you write to the PCT and say how nice she is and supportive etc BUT that you feel her BF support is outdated.

You are doing the right thing and your DD will thrive on it so keep it up

I am surprised that she felt strongly enough to continue with her rather (imo) odd opinions when it seemed clear that you had already told her of your plans. (i.e. to continue to feed your dd2 until she no longer wants it).

It's not as if you were asking for her permission to continue, or advice on how to stop.

as you are at the comment "that's really just for developing countries not for us"

It may also make you doubt some of the other advice she gives you, and that has implications obviously into your dd's ongoing care.

Thanks for replying thought I was in the right but she made me doubt myself.

dh whilst supporting what ever I want to do (and the cheaper option ) does feel I'm crusading slightly but I feel she's in a postion of responsibilty as a paediatric dietican to get the info right. btw we live in an area with not great rates of bf'ing!

Doubt I will complain as we will probably have to deal with her for up to the next 18 years as she is the specialist CF dietican however I'm sure she is now aware of my fairly firm beliefs on the subject now and I can only hope it's made her go back to her books!

Doris, what she said to you was shocking, and rather undermining....I don't care if she's nice, she should know her stuff better than this.
There is no upper limit to the WHO's age of breastfeeding, by the way - they just state that the health benefits have been found to continue until then (not sure how they put it) but they don't say to bf 'until the age of 2'.

If you like her and her input is important, it might feel ok to take her some print outs and gently say that you have been thinking and researching since your last meeting with her and here is some stuff she might like to read
Include stuff which shows she is just wrong about having to wean because of pregnancy - she should be put right on that one, too.

Tiktok thanks for reading I've been brooding about this for a few days now and had already decided re-education was required and I was going to suggest that her input last time made me question what I was doing (it didn't really!) and I've been reasearching it and here's the info....

However I've been looking for something on the DoH website and couldn't find anything that recommended to 2 years and beyond do you have any references pointers please or stuff about tandem feeding in fact anyone with a good refences please post thanks for all your support
Doris

Good references on kellymom as usual.