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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

come and be astounded by what the GP said to me this morning...

57 replies

bohemianbint · 04/02/2009 19:29

Have now been ill for about 8 weeks, had antibiotics for a chest infection 2 weeks ago and it's back again. I went to the docs for something else and she listened to my chest and decided to prescribe me more antibiotics to try to crack it. As she was writing out the prescription, I asked if the ABs were ok while I was still breastfeeding.

She pulled a face and said "are you still breastfeeding?! How old is he now?" I replied that he was five months.

As I was leaving (she had been really nice to me in general and just referred me for the counselling I wanted) she said "and stop breastfeeding now - naughty naughty!"

I should probably point out that she isn't English, I think she is Eastern European which might excuse the "naughty naughty" bit, perhaps...But isn't that astounding? It's lucky I'm me, and not someone who might think "hmm, Dr telling me to give up BF, maybe I should?"

DH reckons I should mention it to the docs but I feel a bit bad and have enough going on in my life without that as well, but blimey!

OP posts:
JulesJules · 04/02/2009 19:32

What an idiot! I would complain to the practise and point out what the WHO guidelines are on bf.

WinkyWinkola · 04/02/2009 19:33

Totally totally complain. Who is she to judge you and your breastfeeding? She's a doctor for goodness sake.

Or, you could print off lots of literature and send it to her personally at the surgery with a covering letter saying how concerned you are at her ignorance. I'd send the same letter and literature to the Practice Manager.

Definitely say something. There are NO disadvantages to breastfeeding and a lot of mothers give up because they have no support.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 04/02/2009 19:35

I am at that! I would definately write to the surgery and quote the guidelines.

Is it any wonder that bf rates are so low in the UK with "advice" like that from our Drs

ib · 04/02/2009 19:35

Wow, I just started a thread complaining that the dr told me to stop bfing ds, and he's 2.1 years old!

I would definitely complain.

PortAndLemon · 04/02/2009 19:36

You really should complain. That's outrageous! But I can see that you feel bad doing it if she was really kind and generally helpful. Could you complain to the practice without mentioning names, just suggesting that they update their training?

traceybath · 04/02/2009 19:37

I would phone the surgery and ask to speak to the practice manager and complain verbally and also ask for details of the procedure to complain in writing.

Its a crap attitude from a Dr and she should jolly well know better.

LadyOfWaffle · 04/02/2009 19:37

That's shocking on so many levels. As a GP she should know better. Definatly write a letter to practise manager.

JulesJules · 04/02/2009 19:44

practice I meant.

I also think being foreign is no excuse for telling you you're naughty - FFS - for whatever reason, but definitely not for bf!

Please complain. No wonder we have such lousy bf rates, is it, when this is the kind of support offered! By a GP!

(BTW, you are doing a great job still breastfeeding )

LaDiDaDi · 04/02/2009 19:45

Please complain to the practice manager.

moondog · 04/02/2009 19:47

Stupid bitch.

Why didn't you ask her why exactly?

domesticslattern · 04/02/2009 19:52

I am afraid that you probably owe it to other women who might come across this lunatic, to make a complaint. Formally. In writing. Quoting the WHO guidelines.

My practice nurse gave me a gold star practically when I told her I was still bf at one year. I was pleasantly surprised.

Original poster
bohemianbint · 04/02/2009 19:52

Oh bugger, I know I should, and I will. I've just got so much other strife I really didn't want to get embroiled in more, but yes, she can't say that to people. I'm a bloody minded so and so but others might not be.

I was just a bit at the time and I've sort of got used to just ignoring people who say stupid things for my own peace of mind and bitching on here instead but there are some things that shouldn't be allowed to let pass.

OP posts:
beansontoast · 04/02/2009 19:55

so with you there, moondog...i never walk away from that sort of nonsense!

I'd def follow it up.

[my gp said to me 'what are you waiting for?' (incredulously and in front of a student)when i said i hadnt had sex yet at my six week check.]

PerArduaAdNauseum · 04/02/2009 19:56

{shock] at her! seriously, I know you've been going through a lot, so maybe just a quick phone call to the practice manager to suggest she get the GP some training, and then put it out of your mind? (Just for the sake of the next mother through her door).

Original poster
bohemianbint · 04/02/2009 19:58

beanson - sorry, but that's just made me snort, had your GP had a child ever?!

I think I'm a bit stupid, if people are otherwise nice I let them get away with allsorts. I will complain, promise.

Oh, and there was actually a witness to this - there was some bloke sitting in on the appointment so that might be a good thing.

OP posts:
theyoungvisiter · 04/02/2009 19:59

don't get "embroiled" - I agree it sounds like something you don't need at the moment.

But just scribble a quick note to the practice manager saying "This was said to me by Dr X on this date, I hope you agree that this is not in line with government policy and will be addressing her training" - and leave it at that. They can take it or leave it, and if they've any sense at all they'll follow it up.

madmouse · 04/02/2009 20:00

!!!!

what a doctor

MamaHobgoblin · 04/02/2009 20:14

Hopefully the bloke sat in on the appt is a probation-supervisor-typee person and will drag her over the coals, or maybe he's a shocked GP registrar? It's certainly a good thing there was a witness.

I know it's a bugger making a formal complaint when you've got so much else on your plate, but perhaps in a week or so? God knows what other gems she's dispensing? Don't think it makes any difference what her cultural background is - she's practising here and should bloody well know what the official guidelines are!

I just feel lucky when I read this sort of story - my GP is v pro BF and unmedicalised births etc, and while one of our HVs is a bit of a loon at times, the other one is also very happy about extended feeding and BLW, etc.

Grendle · 04/02/2009 21:07

I'd complain. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)Guidelines say that health professionals should support mothers to breastfeed for as long as they want to. This is v shocking behaviour for a GP, tbh. You could ask for the GP to be re-trained in bf.

Here is the guidance she should be referred to:

www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/PH11

Page 8 of the guidance for health professionals states:

"Professional bodies should ensure health professionals have appropriate knowledge and skills to give advice on the following:

...

breastfeeding management, using the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) training as a minimum standard (www.babyfriendly.org.uk)
As part of their continuing professional development, train health professionals, including doctors, dietitians and pharmacists, to promote and support breastfeeding, using BFI training as a minimum standard.

As part of their continuing professional development, train health professionals, including doctors, dietitians and pharmacists, to promote and support breastfeeding, using BFI training as a minimum standard."

Page 14 states:

"Current UK policy is to promote exclusive breastfeeding (feeding only breast milk) for the first 6 months. Thereafter, it recommends that breastfeeding should continue for as long as the mother and baby wish, while gradually introducing a more varied diet (DH 2003)."

Page 37 states:

"Who should take action?

Commissioners and managers of maternity and children?s services.
PCTs.
What action should they take?

Ensure health professionals who provide information and advice to breastfeeding mothers have the required knowledge and skills."

You may also wish to point out that the World Health Organisation recommend continued breastfeeding up to at least the age of 2 years (whether or not you indend to do this):

www.who.int/nutrition/publications/guiding_principles_compfeeding_breastfed.pdf

Original poster
bohemianbint · 04/02/2009 21:22

Grendle - thank you, that's really helpful. I'm going to write it now.

OP posts:
ilovemydogandMrObama · 04/02/2009 21:25

Oh, and name and shame. Don't just do a letter suggesting they update their training. Really appalling.

Original poster
bohemianbint · 04/02/2009 21:56

wow, am stuck on my last sentence

"I trust that you will...."

how do I tell them to make sure they train their bloody GPs properly without sounding like a patronising bag?

OP posts:
PortAndLemon · 04/02/2009 22:07

I trust that you will take appropriate action to ensure that health professionals within your practice who provide information and advice to breastfeeding mothers have the required knowledge and skills.

Original poster
bohemianbint · 04/02/2009 22:19

...so that I don't have to waste my life writing letters like this.

Cheers Port. I may plagiarise forthwith. (Brain has stopped working now.)

OP posts:
Original poster
bohemianbint · 04/02/2009 22:27

right - all finished, will be going in the post first thing. Will let you know the outcome. THanks for kicking my arse into action!

OP posts:
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