Why is even a Dr telling me my child doesn't need to bf?

[CluckySC]

I'm currently breastfeeding my 17 month old son. I know that some kids at this age naturally start to wean themselves but for my son it's a huge comfort thing. It takes his mood from sad to happy every time, it's what he wants if he's teething or tired or has hurt himself. He even does his excited little snort/giggle when he even thinks about "boob". I'm wanting to feed him until he has his 2 year old molars through ideally, or at least until he's 2 (like WHO suggests). All good.

But visited my very naturally minded Dr the other day for a tiny rash on my face, he gave me a cream (which is fine for bf) and told me I might as well stop breastfeeding, it'd be better for my skin in any case and it's not like my child needs it anymore.:no: When I said that he really did seem to he said "Well there are nutritional benefits but only if you're not feeding him well. He'd survive. You might as well wean him now." :banghead:

I'm going to wean my child when he's ready, but really, shouldn't Dr's be supporting women to breastfeed as long as they want to, especially when bub is only 17 months?? Grrr

Okay, back in my box :D

[Whispers]

My sisters doctor got up her for bf her 2 and bit yead old a little while ago.
Don't worry about what he said my daughter is 20mths old and still breastfed you are doing no harm to your child.

[Seekrit]

I love my doctor but when I asked him a question about something today he asked if I "breastfed for a little bit" and motioned to my daughter.
She's 3 months old. And he'd assumed I'd already weaned.

I don't know if that says more about his bf advice, or societies trends & expectations :(

[MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea]

I was going to post a similar thread here today - I had a disagreement with a dr today because he told me I should have stopped bf my 18month old DS when he was 12months. When I corrected him and told him the WHO recommendation he was very upset and then refused me medication as I "insisted" on bfeeding.:banghead: I'm so sick of knowing since a couple of months ago that whenever I go to a dr and have to mention I'm bfeeding so they consider that when writing a script, I'm going to have to fight for "extended" bfeeding, when they should be encouraging it.

[CluckySC]

Grrr even more that this is a common trend!

Oh well, they need enough women doing it to change their opinion I guess :rolleyes:

[staceylee]

Hello IMO I think you ladies ROCK for bf your bubs and letting them decide when they are ready to wean :yes:
I was only able to bf my dd for 2.5wks (and expressed for another 2weeks) as I had a lot of issues and dd wasnt taking the boob.

I admire you ladies soo much and am hoping to bf my next one when we ttc again. Keep doing what your doing and dont let them tell you different. You know what your baby needs!!!

Once again YOU LADIES ROCK!!!

[CluckySC]

Hello IMO I think you ladies ROCK for bf your bubs and letting them decide when they are ready to wean :yes:
I was only able to bf my dd for 2.5wks (and expressed for another 2weeks) as I had a lot of issues and dd wasnt taking the boob.

I admire you ladies soo much and am hoping to bf my next one when we ttc again. Keep doing what your doing and dont let them tell you different. You know what your baby needs!!!

Once again YOU LADIES ROCK!!!

:hugs::hugs: Aww, thanks stacey. I hope you have an easier time bfing your next bub. A friend of mine just had to give up with her little girl because she was having so many problems. Must be so frustrating! May the milky boob fairy visit you more easily next time around! :D

[*Chels*]

I have personally not heard of ANY doctor encouraging or supporting BFing.It makes me fume!!
I fed my DS1 until he was around 2.5 years,and just didnt bother mentioning it to anyone coz I couldnt be bothered with all the ignorant opinions and incorrect advice:rolleyes:
The thing is,I KNEW what I was doing was right,and it didnt bother me what ppl thought.But what gets my goat is there are sooooo many Mums out there who DON'T know,and take the doctors word for it.And the doctors seem to not even give a **** and are quiet content to just tell Mums to give up BFing:hair:

[workin'mumof2]

and this is why i hate doctors. and avoid going there unless im dying in which case id be in hospital which is where i was with the flu in july.:o

im still breastfeeding a 17.5month old girl whos very attached to "boob" :smiliedance:

not weaning her.

she can wean herself :p

[Nomsie]

My "Dr" wanted me to put the boys on the bottle at about 2 weeks old because I had what he assumed to be scabies (It wasn't BTW) and I couldn't have the medication for it and bf. I walked out of there in tears, adament he was a moron. And I was right! :D

It's not a ver encouraging sign, is it? :(

[BJelly]

I'm so not surprised. I had a Dr say I shouldn't BF my 12mth old as it would harm her nutrition - what a load of rubbish - she had a healthy appetite for regular food. She's very healthy and has always been way above average height.

I personally found it of great benefit to BF my older babies/toddlers especially if they were sick - if they were too sick to eat proper food they could still BF - kept them well hydrated too.

[threechooks]

Doctors are people too with their own prejudices, stereotypes and previous experiences. But they should leave those at the door and just support patients based on the facts of health. You would think with the amount of women they would see in a day that self-education on things like breast feeding would be top priority...clearly not.

[Bubmum]

Wow, this is incredible...I have been lucky, and have only had supportive docs, but DD is only 14 months, so maybe in a few months time it may change.
I have issues brought on by bfeeding, and not once have they suggested I give it up. Although anyone who has met us knows how enamoured of the boombas she is, and are wise enough to not mess with it.

[Alisonp]

I
I personally found it of great benefit to BF my older babies/toddlers especially if they were sick - if they were too sick to eat proper food they could still BF - kept them well hydrated too.

Exactly :yes: This is one of the reasons I have breastfed my babies well into their second year. It's the best thing when they are sick.

If more mothers continued to breastfeed beyond 12mo there would be a positive benefit for the overloaded health system in Australia. Less children would need antibiotics and less would be admitted to hospital.

Every time my DS gets sick I know my breastmilk is helping him get better quicker while also providing the best form of comfort when he is feeling really unwell.:)

[Sheer Bliss]

Grrrrr to tht dr!!:hair: