8 months old is far too old to STILL be bfing

[midori1999]

Some people are idiots and think they know better than anyone else on certain subjects, those subjects don't exclude BF sadly...

 

[Sini]

My MIL thinks its "ok" to bf for around 2-3 months but then you must AT LEAST SUPPLEMENT WITH FORMULA or the baby is going to starve.. Not taking any tips from her surprise surprise

 

[kerrie24]

Ignorant fool!
I wish somebody would say something to me lol ive been waiting for it to happen for 16 months just so I can put them straight!!haha

 

[Palestrina]

I'm not surprised, people think so highly of their own opinions. My MIL told me to get him on formula so that he can have some "real food" too.

 

[cupcake]

well I wonder what she would think of my son he is waaay over 8 months, and last time I checked I didn't live in a country where all the kids are starving!
Don't worry about what other people say, esp MIL , they will always have an opinion according to how they fed their own kids and at the time what was done.

 

[Nyn]

Understand where you're coming from hun. I got LOTS of comments about how long I bf for... ds1 was 2 years and ds2 was 1 year. Here the norm is 3 months and if you do 6 months then that's 'all the baby needs'. Think everyone thought I was a bit eccentric but oh well... can't WAIT to bf this little one!!! Try not to let it bother you hun.. you're not alone x

 

[Joyzerelly]

Haha, oh the ignorance! Oh well, at least your lucky little baby has a much better informed mummy. Well done for sticking to your guns. With determination from people like us, one day breastfeeding beyond 2 weeks old will be seen as 'normal'.

 

[Palestrina]

I was recently having a discussion with a friend of mine who is an OB/GYN. I was saying to her that I'm so glad I stuck with the BF because I feel so good knowing that LO is getting all the antibodies from my milk. You want to know what she said?....

"Oh that, baby only gets antibodies in the first few days. After that BF is good but not necessary. A couple of weeks of BF is enough."

 

[Joyzerelly]

My MIL thinks its "ok" to bf for around 2-3 months but then you must AT LEAST SUPPLEMENT WITH FORMULA or the baby is going to starve.. Not taking any tips from her surprise surprise

How on earth does she think the human race has survived this long, formula didn't exist until about 200 years ago and the human race has been about for millions of years.

 

[Joyzerelly]

I was recently having a discussion with a friend of mine who is an OB/GYN. I was saying to her that I'm so glad I stuck with the BF because I feel so good knowing that LO is getting all the antibodies from my milk. You want to know what she said?....

"Oh that, baby only gets antibodies in the first few days. After that BF is good but not necessary. A couple of weeks of BF is enough."

I should be shocked, but I'm not. I have very little confidence in the opinions of the average medical professional when it comes to breastfeeding. I think its probably the most misunderstood thing in human physiology.

 

[MrsMouse]

I'm in harlow matey - think we should have an essex meet up and get all the older babes together that are still bf so that you can bring her along for a coffee!

If she sees that actualy not in a minority maybe she'd change her mind?! Or at least get an education!

As for someone who's friend is a paediatrician - I'm a midwife and still encountered opposition from colleagues, and other friends over breastfeeding my son after 6 months, especially given that I had recurring mastitis for 4 months! Thankfully am about to change employer and they have exempted me from on calls shifts until Jamie is 2! Woo hoo! Finally someone who really supports breastfeeding!

You carry on Carly - your baby will get much more benefit from your milk than that in any flippin tin! Just tell your step mum she's a tit!

 

[summer rain]

My MIL thinks its "ok" to bf for around 2-3 months but then you must AT LEAST SUPPLEMENT WITH FORMULA or the baby is going to starve.. Not taking any tips from her surprise surprise

How on earth does she think the human race has survived this long, formula didn't exist until about 200 years ago and the human race has been about for millions of years.

Unfortunately I have come across my fair share of HVs, midwives and paediatricians who believe the same thing

 

[summer rain]

I'm in harlow matey - think we should have an essex meet up and get all the older babes together that are still bf so that you can bring her along for a coffee!

If she sees that actualy not in a minority maybe she'd change her mind?! Or at least get an education!

As for someone who's friend is a paediatrician - I'm a midwife and still encountered opposition from colleagues, and other friends over breastfeeding my son after 6 months, especially given that I had recurring mastitis for 4 months! Thankfully am about to change employer and they have exempted me from on calls shifts until Jamie is 2! Woo hoo! Finally someone who really supports breastfeeding!

You carry on Carly - your baby will get much more benefit from your milk than that in any flippin tin! Just tell your step mum she's a tit!

LOL I read your post as you're in 'harlow matey' I thought what a quaint village name xx

 

[Aphrodite]

My MIL thinks its "ok" to bf for around 2-3 months but then you must AT LEAST SUPPLEMENT WITH FORMULA or the baby is going to starve.. Not taking any tips from her surprise surprise

How on earth does she think the human race has survived this long, formula didn't exist until about 200 years ago and the human race has been about for millions of years.

Unfortunately I have come across my fair share of HVs, midwives and paediatricians who believe the same thing

That is so shocking. All the Healthcare professionals I have come across have been vehemently in favour of BFing. I really struggled int he beginning and instead of encouraging me my MIL also said I should bottle feed. My husband too. I thik they meant well but I felt so upset and unsupported. It actually made me want to BF for longer! Even now periodically my DH asks me when Im going to stop and I just say, 'I have no plans to in the near future'

 

[summer rain]

not in this area they aren't, they 'support' BF but think its nigh on impossible for most women to make enough milk, even with this LO I was told by a hospital paediatrician to 'top up' with 2-3oz of formula after every feeding at 2.5 weeks old (which at that age would be a full feed for most babies!) because he had prolonged jaundice and formula would apparently stay in his system longer than breastmilk and thus help to flush the jaundice out more quickly-which just isn't logical. I've also been told with all of my babies except this one by either HVs or midwives to give them a bottle at night as 'most women don't produce enough milk', and everyone I know who has given birth in the hospitals around here have had formula top ups pushed from the start, my sis in law was told by midwives not to bother trying to breastfeed for the first three days because there is nothing there. Sadly until recently all hospitals had to implement steps to become 'baby friendly' according to unicef's scheme but it seems that has been quietly dropped now. xx

 

[pinkie77]

I have the same kind of experience as summer rain. Most healthcare professionals that I've come into contact with support breastfeeding in theory but the practical support and knowledge just isn't there. But of course many women do believe what the mw/hv/dr tells them because it's their job and so much damage is done

 

[Pixles]

I cant wait to get to 8 months when i have my second, who nos maybe ill get to 8 months with malikai. ive only been feeding 3 months, and i feel so lucky, everyone seems soo supportive around here, even my HVs and midwifes tell me to keep going and give me all the information i needed, My HV even told me (off the record) that its not as "paramount" I take baby for blood tests for his prolonged jaundace as its just takeing longer to flush because im breastfeeding and she suspects that itll go just before 3 months, that is did. and all my brothers friends who have seen me and spoken to me have decided that they want to breastfeed and i get bombarded with questions everytime i see them and was made to promise i would be there to support them. I dread to think what kinda abuse anyone with a negative comment would get if i was out and about with my OH and brother.. =P I wish everyone would have the support i do..

 

[T-Bex]

I could actually hit some HV's for their advice. Breastfeeding is best for babies, fact, and that the put this into question for, I'd say the majority of women, given the comments on this forum, makes me so cross. If your in a position of trust, don't F-it up with bad advice.

*headwall*

 

[pinkie77]

I get quite angry too cos bf my son was sabotaged by bad advice from hv, and 10 years on the same bad advice is still being given out! And if I say to a friend or aquaintance that I don't agree with what they perceive as medical advice I get shouted down or ignored cos I have no qualifications and what do I know?

 

[T-Bex]

I'm having a similar problem at my breastfeeding group. I have a 6 week training course in breastfeeding, and I'm having to argue at HV's about their advice being wrong, but they have degrees, which apparently trumps us.

Even though they are wrong. They've been telling mums to top up with FF (standard), but to do this because the babies arn't gaining 6/7oz a week, at 2 weeks old! They want the baby to jump a centile! And another told one of our mums to give the 4 week old baby a bottle during the night (when it's crucial to feed as your hormone levels are at their highest, and night feeds regulate your milk production).

*headwallheadwallletsgetthebadonesandforcebreastmilkdowntheirthroughtsuntiltheyunderstand*