Vent---the misinformation out there!

[capsgirl08]

I have to get this out of my system because it happened on Tuesday and it's Friday now and still consumes my thoughts!

I BF my 17mo son. Besides it being what I think is best for us, he also has several food issues and cannot drink soy or cow's milk. A friend at church was asking if he could eat normal foods yet. I said he could eat lots of other healthy foods, and he was still BFing. She replied, well maybe he should try rice milk or something else because there are really no benefits after the first 6 months of breastfeeding. I was shocked and angry! I know she does not practice AP and that she stopped BFing her children at 9 months, but I just wasn't prepared to hear that. I just said, hmmm, I see, and walked away to find my son. I replay that scenario and wish I could have said something more factual or at least said, that's not what I heard. Even my aunt who is a pedi GI says the first 1 year minimum and longer if possible!

Ok, sorry for the negativity. DH was chuckling because it was still bothering me (he agrees with me, btw), but it's something that's at the core of my identity! And so important.

All right, vent over! lol. Hopefully I can move on and stop thinking about it. I see her twice a week -- at church and family group, so it will be hard to avoid contact, and I really do think she is a sweet person. Just misinformed. Still, misinformed makes me angry at the way society has shifted its view of BFing...

[Red Pajama]

Don't avoid her-- nurse in front of her any chance you get. If she mentions "no benefit after 6 months" again, reply with something like "hmm, I hadn't heard that. In fact, I've heard something quite different! Could you bring in a research article for me to read?" When she goes to search for this article, she'll find research refuting her belief.

At least, that's what we'd hope would happen.

And really, in this, just lead by example. Even if you don't reach her regarding nursing beyond the tiny newborn stage, you might reach another mother. I am very grateful to the friend who gently talked to me when I commented, long before my own children, that nursing to 14 months was "a long time to nurse."
Her response to me planted a seed, and here I am, having nursed twins past two, and with a little sister turning two this month, will no sign of stopping.

[Mommy2Teagan]

Maybe you could print out an article and bring it to her next time you see her. Not to say "In your face, I'm right" but just to help her become better informed. And maybe she may learn the truth and BF her next baby for longer.

[kcstar]

My doctor said something about "only for comfort" at his last visit, and I came back with "I'm his multi-vitamin."

The other line I'm starting to rehearse now is "I make my own Pediasure."

[lanswyfte]

If she ever tells you there's no benefit beyond the first 6 months again, I'd tell her, "Try telling that to the rest of the world, where so many mothers in poorer countries nurse their children until they're 3-4 years old." That's what they tell me at my local WIC office when I tell them how my DH and MIL tell me I need to wean my 3-year-old.

[SpiderMum]

I would have responded with "Where did you hear that? The WHO recommends that you nurse for a minimum of 2 years after all". It's an easy piece of misinformation to refute...particularly if they're under 2.

I understand your frustration though. I once had a lady tell me that the WHO recommendations were only for people in 3rd world countries.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by SpiderMum

I understand your frustration though. I once had a lady tell me that the WHO recommendations were only for people in 3rd world countries.

Me too. My response to that is that the WHO doesn't descriminate against children of rich countries - they deserve the same gold standard of nutrition, immune boosting and brain growing that children of poor countries get from the WHO recommendations.

[bcblondie]

Uh... If there's no benefit after 6 months, why did she keep bf'ing til 9 months...?

[Leisha]

Originally Posted by SpiderMum

I understand your frustration though. I once had a lady tell me that the WHO recommendations were only for people in 3rd world countries.

I've heard that more than once too.
I can kind of see some logic - developing countries would have less access to clean water etc for any alternative (ie formula) to breastmilk, so it's maybe even more important to keep on bf for as long as possible there.

But on the other hand, like PP said, it's just as important IMHO for babies here to get the best nutrition of course!!

In our dd's daycare there are now posters up from the government and on one of them it clearly says that breastmilk is recommended up until 2+ years old!