Confusion on maternity notes

[Addy2]

Hi all,

Currently 19 weeks and at my sixteen week appointment (which was yesterday due to delays) midwife ticked 'no' for the question 'does mum to be need referred to breastfeeding supporter/feeding advisor?'

Anyone know what this means? She didn't ask me if I planned to breastfeed. Is this about getting support after delivery- as a first time mum I will probably need support and advice and don't want a box to stop me getting it- or is it just indicating that she doesn't think I need convincing to breastfeed?

Thanks in advance for your help!

*referral not referred

Probably because you’re only 16 weeks so that conversation doesn’t currently apply.

Baby friendly guidelines recommend a discussion at your 31 week appointment I think.

I don't think I have that box in my notes but at the booking appointment they were asking about enrolling me in a breastfeeding workshop. Is there something about that in your notes?

There's only one page with it on, there isn't one for the later appointments, so I wouldn't think it's to do with how far I am along or surely they just wouldn't put it in? I guess every area must do it differently. Nothing about workshops as far as I can see.

Maybe it’s not something they actually offer antenatally? A lot of bits in my trust’s notes are out of date or irellevant.

You wouldn't normally be offered a referral antenatally unless you expressed probably extreme distress about breastfeeding. I didn't get asked that question at 16 weeks. In fact, I don't think we discussed bf until maybe 31 weeks. I did have trouble bf and expressed concerns, but it still wouldn't be standard to refer to a peer supporter during pregnancy. Usually that would only be after baby arrives. I imagine it's just an old irrelevant question that they can't get moved to the correct place in the notes (the process literally takes years in the NHS). At any rate, if you have concerns about bf, just bring them up when the discussion does happen around or after 31 weeks or with your health visitor when you see her.

My breastfeeding conversation with my midwife took 30 secs a month before my due date. The midwives on the maternity ward give you guidance and when you're home the midwife and hv will support you. Unless you have a particular concern is be grateful of one less person to see.

I've never been asked that question.

It probably meant something once when then was more funding for a group that doesn't now exist or something.

Regardless, you won't be denied breastfeeding support if you want it when your baby arrives because of a box the midwife ticked at 16 weeks.

I would just forget completely about

I'd call your MW to ask. I had my 16 week appointment today and I was asked whether or not I plan to BF. (May be because I've only just stopped BFing my 13 month old though).

I'm 99% sure I wasn't asked anything relating to feeding until much later. So maybe that's why, because it wasn't relevant for that appointment.
Though of course it's only a guess. I could be very wrong in my thinking..

The visit I had from the HV a few weeks before ds was due discussed breastfeeding etc.

They marked me down as not needing breastfeeding support because funding has been cut for the breastfeeding classes and the service is now unavailable.

@OhBergine Maybe that's why they asked me too, I was still feeding DC1 until about 3 months pregnant. Oddly much to the horror of the midwife who made it sound like I was going to drop down dead if I didn't stop (DC weaned on his own a month or so later).