Sorry to resurrect this post but i read it with interest.
I am a male Health Visitor and have been qualified for 6 years now. I can see both sides but would like to give my own opinion. I think its more about who you are as a person and professional rather than what you are (male or female). I can count on one hand the number of mums and dads that wanted to see a female HV instead of me but I always give parents the choice. I think this forms the basis of a good relationship.
To be honest I have had more problems with some of my female colleagues accepting me than any of the mums I have worked with. The "how can you talk to a new mum about breastfeeding without the personal experience". But I see it as an advantage as I have none of my own baggage to bring to the discussion, and mums especially those wanting not to breastfeed find that helpful and refreshing. I will also tend to use my local breastfeeding support workers alot more and had a wry smile last year as my breastfeeding rates were amongst the highest. With experience comes that ability to tune into mums, I know which mums feel comfotable feeding in front of me and which ones don't
But my job is so much more than that as I will be part of your family until your children go to school. Along the way there will be the discussions about immunisations, weaning, child development, sleep deprivation and toddler tantums....