Kunama
Mummy to 3 Princesses
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2009
- Messages
- 135
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I was speaking to a friend of mine yesterday and she happened to mention that at 4weeks she took her little boy to HV for his check-up. When asked how feeding was going, friend told her that she was struggeling with BF and as a result had moved onto FF, to which the HV replied 'Well done to you, I'm sick of people bringing in there scrawny underweight babies and refusing to FF cause they want to BF'. I'm sorry but that just got my back up!!. All praise to my friend, BF wasn't working out for her, she tried, but in the end FF worked out better for her, thats great. But as for the 'scrawney underweight babies' comment from the HV!!! Maybe if they were a little bit more supportive and helpfull instead of so fixated on meeting targets alot of mothers who want to breastfeed would find it a much more plesent rewarding experience, instead of the constant battle it is.
Years back people lived in much more close knit communitys, friend and family close by to help out with new babies, older generations able to help the younger ones with raising there children. As this network has fallen apart over the years (not always the case, but often) alot of new mothers no longer have any or very little support when dealing with a new buba. After you have baby you are often sent home within 24hrs, If you are lucky OH may be able to afford to take 2 weeks paternity off work to help out, and then what, suddenly your alone.
These people are supposed to be there for mum and baby, to do what is best for them, not to make baby another statistic in this world. They should have some basic understanding of babycare, if mum is having trouble feeding, be it bottle of breast they should be refered to someone who can give detailed support and advise, not just Give em a bottle. Communities are not like they used to be, the HV should be the hub of a mums world, a place they can go to be directed to more specialist help whatever the problem, or just to talk if that is what is needed, not a place to be told how badly your doing or just told to get on with it!
I would like to just add that I know there are wonderfull HV out there, I am slighty biased as I too have had a many bad experiences with my HV, I refuse to see her this time around, but its about time that things changed with the way new mums are cared for within the system!
Sorry to have gone on, I hope I havent offended anyone, but had to get it off my chest
Hope you Ladies are having a good day
Years back people lived in much more close knit communitys, friend and family close by to help out with new babies, older generations able to help the younger ones with raising there children. As this network has fallen apart over the years (not always the case, but often) alot of new mothers no longer have any or very little support when dealing with a new buba. After you have baby you are often sent home within 24hrs, If you are lucky OH may be able to afford to take 2 weeks paternity off work to help out, and then what, suddenly your alone.
These people are supposed to be there for mum and baby, to do what is best for them, not to make baby another statistic in this world. They should have some basic understanding of babycare, if mum is having trouble feeding, be it bottle of breast they should be refered to someone who can give detailed support and advise, not just Give em a bottle. Communities are not like they used to be, the HV should be the hub of a mums world, a place they can go to be directed to more specialist help whatever the problem, or just to talk if that is what is needed, not a place to be told how badly your doing or just told to get on with it!
I would like to just add that I know there are wonderfull HV out there, I am slighty biased as I too have had a many bad experiences with my HV, I refuse to see her this time around, but its about time that things changed with the way new mums are cared for within the system!
Sorry to have gone on, I hope I havent offended anyone, but had to get it off my chest
Hope you Ladies are having a good day
That woman really should of thought before she opened her mouth! If i'd of been there i would of complained about her! She can't go round saying things like that. OK for some BF doesn't work but i think most mothers have the sense to seek help before their baby begins to become at risk, even if it's just because their baby cries so much! It's amazing how one womans thoughtless comment like that could effect many womens and babies life. Now your friend may never feel she has the confidence to return to BFing with this child or any subsequent other if she beleives BF can have health risks like that. What she should of done, as we all know, is offer advice and support, even a well done for BFing for the first few weeks, your friend deserved at least that. Some support network we have in the uk!! Right i'm gonna stop rambling because things like this make me cross!
