Why would a doctor discourage BFing?

[minkajane]

A pregnant coworker commented to me the other day that she had decided against breastfeeding. When I asked her why, she said her OB told her that since she has to go back to work at six weeks anyway, she'll be leaking like crazy all over the place. We're waitresses, so pumping is NOT an option and will NOT be accommodated (no laws protecting pumping in our state and we're lucky if we get to eat and pee during a shift). She didn't want to be leaking all over the place. I don't know what that doctor was talking about, but me and another coworker who breastfed let her know that all she'd have to do is put a nursing pad in her bra and she'd be fine. We also told her about part-time BFing and how her body would adjust if she only nursed in the evening. I wanted to send her that list of the benefits your baby gets from various nursing times - anybody got a link to that?

I don't know why an OB would directly discourage BFing, though. Regardless of the amount of time the mom has available/plans to nurse. Makes no sense at all to me.

[Claire and Boys]

I think some doctors let their own personal experiences cloud their judgement. It's very unprofessional but it happens.

I hope she rethinks her decision.

[Turkish Kate]

Maybe the doctor in question is in league with a pediatrician and trying to drum up business for the ped by encouraging unhealthy practices?

[sapphire_chan]

Maybe her OB is a woman who leaked a lot and had professional embarrassment as a result? Anyway : that you and the other women were there to give better advice.

And I'm really hoping someone has that "with only one day of breastfeeding" article. I've been trying to hunt it down for awhile with no luck.

[G8P4]

I agree that a lot of doctors have bad track record when it comes to supporting and promoting breastfeeding. It is also entirely possible that your friend only heard what she wanted to hear. For example, maybe she asked her ob if she would still be leaking when she went back to work and maybe the ob said that she possibly still would be leaking. Interpretation: My doctor told me I shouldn't breastfeed. I have heard some really unbelievable claims from people of things their doctors told them and I'm sure that this kind of selective interpretation happens frequently. On the other hand, I do know that doctors say the darndest things about breastfeeding. Hard in these cases to know how to respond.

[LittlePeanut]

I believe this is what you're looking for What If I Want To Wean My Baby?

LP

[Carita]

I have never leaked and never used breastpads - so there~!!!

ridiculous

[silencia]

check out this link

http://www.motherlove.com/resources_studies.php

There are a lot of links to studies on the benefits of breastfeeding.
I hope you can change her mind.

[indie]

My mom and I both had over supply and tons of leaking. No breast pad in existence could stand up to it. Maybe the doc has experience with that? Anyway, my mom BFed part time and formula fed while working. When she was working she frequently had to go to the bathroom and lean over a toilet to let excess milk pour out (if only she had leaned over a bottle and brought it home, but I digress). Its not good to make assumptions about how things are going to be, but if I were in your coworker's place I'd be trying to wait tables with a sopping wet shirt and it would suck. But I'm glad you gave her better info. It would be better to nurse for several weeks and then wean if she finds that it doesn't work with her work schedule rather than not even try.

[indie]

Originally Posted by Carita

I have never leaked and never used breastpads - so there~!!!

I'm so jealous. It wasn't until my third child that my milk production slowed down to a manageable level.

[woodchick]

Another observation that I've made in regards to many doctors- not necessarily just with breastfeeding- is that they usually want to keep their customers happy. So this doc may be trying to keep your co-worker happy by letting her know that she has 'options'.

Kind of the same way that so many doctors prescribe antibiotics even for a virus. Just to make their patients happy.

[urchin_grey]

Bleh. I'm a server too, and I breastfed. There have been other moms in my workplace that nursed as well. Sure, its not easy when you're waiting tables, because I know how it is. Its totally doable - NOT breastfeeding was/is not an option for me.

[readytobedone]

i would stress to her that she may or may not leak a lot, there really is no way to know, and that she can initiate BF and then try to work and BF PT; if it doesn't work, she can wean. but there's no reason to cross BF off the list out of the gate. i leaked for about a month, and after that i only leaked if i went overnight without nursing on that side.

[kriket]

I bartended and we had a pumping mama. We were a small family owned place, so it wasn't quite the same.

Some people really consider formula just as good as BM

[~Boudicca~]

Originally Posted by urchin_grey

Bleh. I'm a server too, and I breastfed. There have been other moms in my workplace that nursed as well. Sure, its not easy when you're waiting tables, because I know how it is. Its totally doable - NOT breastfeeding was/is not an option for me.

I have to agree. It is doable. I worked full time waiting tables in a high volume fine dining restaurant for both of my breastfed kids (one who I exclusively pumped for) and while it does require some commandeering of help and understanding from coworkers/management, it can be done. There were a few times where I ended my shift with rock-hard boobies because I didn't have time to leave my tables, but I managed.

I wonder would wool breast pads doubled up with another regular breast pad underneath work? Kind of like cloth diapering?

Can she talk to your employer about a mini-break (15 minutes) just so she can at least pump to relieve the pressure in her breasts? Perhaps she can consult her PCP for a doctor's note stating that she needs to pump to prevent mastitis/plugged ducts? I realize that your state does not have any protection laws regarding pumping at work but is your employer completely opposed to letting her have a little leeway while she is nursing so she can have a small break?

[BnInTheOvn]

She absolutely CAN pump at work as well -- they now make breast pumps that are hands free and can be worn under your clothing!!

Here is a link to the Whisper Wear Pump:

http://www.babybellyboutique.com/pro...edg0001&cat=10

you can google for more.

[annie_noah]

Originally Posted by BnInTheOvn

She absolutely CAN pump at work as well -- they now make breast pumps that are hands free and can be worn under your clothing!!

Here is a link to the Whisper Wear Pump:

http://www.babybellyboutique.com/pro...edg0001&cat=10

you can google for more.

I'd use that in an office environment, but not sure I'd use it while waiting tables!

At the very least though, she can use Milkies to avoid leaking and collect some EBM to take home. http://www.mymilkies.com/info

[SpiderMum]

I only leak in the morning when my breasts are really full and I hear DD fussing....but putting in some breastpads when I go to bed takes care of it.

I was a server before I had DD. Depending one what sort of restaurant you're working at...your shift might not be so long that it would interfere with nursing/pumping. I mainly worked lunches...and it was over in an hour and a half. I would work for 4 to 6 hours, but a lot of that was downtime where I could have managed to find some time to pump (everyone else took smoke breaks all the time).

[cjuniverse]

Carita -

I never really leaked either. A drop or two here and there for the first month, but not at all what I would call actual leaking.

Anyway, OP, it's probably any number of things. From selective hearing/outright dishonesty, to prejudicial physician opinion/experience, to full or partial ignorance on both parts. Or, as always, it could be something none of us are even thinking of. People make all sorts of decisions for all sorts of reasons, we can never fully know why without being in their heads.

[phathui5]

Another thing to consider is that doctors don't get any training on breastfeeding in medical school, so being an MD or OB doesn't mean that someone has been educated about nutrition or breastfeeding.