Just been to see HV... ARGH!

[eilidhfi]

Took DD to baby clinic this afternoon to get her weighed. Saw a health visitor we haven't seen before who was very nice, weighed DD, measured her, then asked if we were having any other problems I said no.

HV: Is DD feeding ok?
Me: Yes
HV: Taking all her bottles?
Me: No, she's breast fed.
HV: Oh. Is the breast milk still enough for her?

DD is 16 weeks old. I'm now a bit angry, had I been having any problems I very much doubt she would have been able to help and it would seem that she was more than willing to suggest weaning . Surely assuming all babies are bottlefed completely undermines bf?

I'm not being oversensitive am I?

I also live in a sure start area and am a BF peer supporter. The local midwives are really switched on and refer people to us however the HVs? Don't get me started. Don't use us, suggest topping up (just one bottle. Cos obviously it won't escalate from there!), early weaning etc.
Moving soon and I hope our new HV is better.

One of the local HVs is setting up a BF peer supporter scheme in my area as well. Think this will be good as it's worked well in other areas I've been. Still in early stages but think it will work well.

It does as long as it is used and promoted. You and the HVs in your area are obviously rather better re: BF than those in my area!

i had a hv with dd1 who practically advertised sma gold she should have done an advert she was that impresive, she even spoke about sma white and how bad it is for ur baby and the damages it could cause (im most probably exagerating a bit).

One of my twins was very small and underweight and each time I had her weighed I'd get the 'she's very underweight,' but no advice whatsoever.
I just stopped going.

My HV is beyond shite. Little Ff is small, but has been slightly ahead with all her milestones. HV has given me the impression that she thinks my refusal to top up with formula and persist with exclusive bfeeding is tantamount to child abuse, and insisted that I take her to be weighed every week. (This has stopped after she called my house and told Bloke that she HAD to weight the baby, even though I had an appointment to get her weighed the nexy day. I called her back, and, ahem, gave her a piece of my mind. The angry piece..)
This, coupled with her bizarre advice that I wake a baby happy to sleep from 11pm to 7am at 4 IN THE MORNING to force feed the poor thing, has convinced me that she is clearly batty, and should not be allowed anywhere near poor first time mothers!