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Judge Knows Best when it comes to Breast

7 replies

anon200 · 17/10/2010 13:54

I left my XP in March 2010 due to severe emotional and psychological abuse, my son was 12 weeks old. In June 2010 XP took me to court for contact. He was given 2 hours contact twice a week with handover taking place at a police station. When my son turned 6 months old I started introducing solids. He is now 10 1/2 months old; eating three meals a day with numerous snacks in between, however I continue to breastfeed every few hours or so, as done so since birth, obviously now this is more of a comfort rather than a "feed" as such. Since June however I have increased contact to 2 1/2 hours twice a week, completely in line at a rate that my son can cope with, and I am completely willing to continue to increase contact at a rate accordingly.
In the meantime my XP has been recording conversations with me (and editing them) and has accused me of cutting my arms. These are very serious allegations to make and I have got numerous medical reports which has confirmed that this is completely untrue. the only distress I suffered was at the hands of the emotional abuse and this is reflected in a medical report.
The following court appearance was this October; a three month review. XP was wanting four hours twice a week as of now and a full day when he turns one. I was willing to continue to increase time at a rate child was happy with and explained that he breast feeds continuously. The judge has ordered 4 hours commencing immediately twice a week and as of December (when child turns one a full day once a week and four hours once a week. Explaining that my child still breastfeeds on an emotional level, she wasn't even interested in, apparently I can express, however does this qualify? Is she right in telling me that this is the best thing for my child? Isn't this denying my child his human rights to breastfeed and mine as a mothers?

Also,, after explaining to the judge that there have been voice recordings and false allegations about mental health and the fact that because of these reasons I don't want to see XP at handover and can it take place at a creche, the judge ordered that I still needed to handover child myself and mentioned there had been concerns over mental health before. Well, EXCUSE ME!!! These allegations have proved wrong with evidence from "qualified medical professionals" and since leaving XP I have flourished as I am not having to be subjected to emotional abuse!!!

The longer periods my son has with his father, I will express to keep up my milk supply to when I am with baby I can continue to breastfeed.

We go back to court in March, will overnight contact be granted then I wonder. I am in a pickle. What happened to mother's view? If staying contact is granted in March will probably put an end to BF my son. WHO recommends two years BF? I ask what has happened to our Barbie Doll society?

OP posts:
StarkAndWitchesWillFindYou · 17/10/2010 14:01

Hiya,

YOur situation sounds horrible.

You might want to post again in the breast and bottle feeding section of MN.

There is actually evidence that shows the bottle can cause the jaw to develop out of line and increase need for dental work later in life, but given your baby is 6 months he can probably drink from a cup or do without milk.

I think also your supply would be fine too for that amount of time.

I understand your frustration as the ignorance of the judge, but I think the whole bfing thing is tied up with the emotional and your feelings about justice however.

anon200 · 17/10/2010 14:50

Thank you for you reply.

I don't mind Dad feeding formula when baby is with him, though I do believe that my supply will drastically decrease when dad has a whole day contact from december leaving me pumping in order to keep up supply.

Another major concern is that what if the judge grants over-nights from march and am still BF, will probably dry up all together.

Will post again under suggested section.

OP posts:
StarkAndWitchesWillFindYou · 17/10/2010 14:52

Oh no. I regularly left my children from age 1 onwards for days at a time and my milk never disappeared.

I don't think you are being unreasonable, but I don't think the bfing alone is really going to win this for you.

I'm sorry you're in such a horrid situation.

anon200 · 17/10/2010 15:01

Thats really good to know, I thought that as soon as you decrease breastfeeding you dry up quite quickly!!! What a relief!! How long does it take for one to dry up and are there any useful tips that you know of in order to prevent this. I found that when my boobs get sore, they need emptying quickly otherwise your production would decrease. Thank you for the re-assurance.

OP posts:
winnybella · 17/10/2010 15:02

I don't think your supply will dry up. DD is 20 mo and still bf 2-3 times a day. There are days when I'm out and so unable to bf her (I don't express), there were a couple occasions when we were apart for a few days- my supply is fine. It's true that when babies are very little it's important to feed regularly and often to maintain the supply, but at 6 months a few hours away shouldn't diminish it and at 1 yo even a night once a week without expressing should be fine. If you express then there definitely won't be any problems.

StarkAndWitchesWillFindYou · 17/10/2010 15:04

You're right, but the longer you feed, the longer you can go without doing it and still meet the demands of your baby.

My dd is just over 2 and I sometimes don't feed for a whole week at a time, yet whenever she wants to, there is still some there.

However, if I did that when she was just weeks old - no chance.

anon200 · 17/10/2010 16:34

Thank you mums for replies which have brought relief.

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