Hi Everyone!
My name is Julie. I am a mom to a 31 month old boy (Levon) and 2 month old girl (Eila), both of whom are breastfeeding. My lactivism and support for breastfeeding came years ago, long before I even considered having children. My mother breastfed all of her babes back in the 70s when it was thought that only poor women did such a thing and all throughout my childhood, all of the childbearing women did the same. It was totally the norm for me and I'm sure my history laid the foundation for my feelings regarding BFing today. Anyhow, I will get to the situation I have found myself in.
My son was born in a hospital, and while I was planning a natural birth, I unfortunately opted for an epidural. He was born healthy at 9 lbs and started nursing immediately. We were released the following day after not even 24hrs solely because he was doing so well with BFing. I was ecstatic. Unfortunately though, when my milk came in, I was in for weeks of problems. He was gaining well, but my nipples were cracked and bleeding and so f***ing sore that I would bawl my eyes out before, during and after every feeding. I didn't know what the problem was as my family doctor told me he was "the poster child for breastfeeding" when she witnessed me nursing him at a week old. I thought "fantastic, everything is going ok, this pain is just a minor setback." Fastforward 6 weeks...that's how long it took for the pain to subside. I saw a lactation consultant twice who told me his latch and our positioning was wrong. I was very confused as my own doctor was commending me on our success. Talk about mixed messages. She also advised me to start him on solid food at 4 months old because he was "overweight" from bfing. From that point on, I read all that I could on BFing from only the experts on the subject (other moms who BF, Dr. Newman, La Leche League, etc) and realised that If doctors don't research BFing on their own, they learn very little in school to actually advise on the subject. They just know to tell their patients that breast is best.
When I found out I was pregnant with my DD, I sought out the services of a MW as I wanted a homebirth, but I also had to find a new family doc as mine was quitting her practice. So I met with a lady doctor who seemed nice enough until I was leaving. I had my son with my. At this time he was just under 2 years old, but the kid could pass for 3 or 4. In out meeting I told her I was still nursing him, and their was no reaction. Great. So we are heading out the door and she makes a bizarre comment: "Oh he's such a cutie. I wish I had some formula to give him." Ummmm, what the f***??? Ok so this is problematic in many ways right? Firstly, she knows I'm still bfing, so why would I want formula? And he is almost 2 years old!!!! Why would he need it????? And furthermore, why are you, someone in the medical profession, giving away free formula to begin with??? I left the office knowing that we would have to keep searching for a family doctor, much to my chagrin.
Soooo, yesterday I have an appointment with another family doctor, a woman about the same age as me (early 30s) and again she seemed nice enough. It wasn't until she questioned me about why I left the other doctor that I became enraged. I told her the story of the other MD offering formula and she looked puzzled. She said she didn't understand so I told her how I think it is totally unethical for members of the medical community to be offering their patients free formula samples as it can send the wrong message. She disagreed with me and told me that every doctor's office in Toronto does the same, that I'd be hard pressed to find one that doesn't. She said she caters to her patient's needs and if they choose to FF and she has formula then why can't she give it away? SHe said she wasn't going to debate it with me as obviously, and these are her words "you are pro Bfing and anti- FFing." ENRAGED i tell you!!! Like she couldn't even begin to fathom what the problem was. She said she gives away formula, she gives away Tempra and Tylenol, what is the problem? Um, formula IS NOT MEDICINE OR TREATMENT!!! And she got up very quickly and told me that if I was still interested in having her as a family doctor to fill out the forms at the front desk and she left. OF COURSE I AM NOT INTERESTED!!!!
I told my DH about this as I was really upset about the whole situation and his remark was "why is every doctor against breastfeeding?" That is how he sees it. When a doctor endorses formula and when they don't educate themselves in order to advise their patients correctly when it comes to BFing, they are ultimately taking a stand against BFing. And I agree with him. And I can't help wondering if it is for their own financial gain. I hate thinking this way, but really is it that far-fetched? My DS who will be turning 3 in May has had to see the doctor ONCE since his birth and that is only because I didn't trust my own instinct. The more moms that choose to breastfeed, the less sickness there is and as a result, the less trips made to the doctor's office. I am just in a state of shock and now I wonder, will I ever find a doctor that doesn't endorse formula?
I'm at a loss. I want to do something about this situation but what can I do. These formula companies have their hand in EVERYWHERE! Luckily, here in Canada they don't send women home with the goody bags including a handy dandy can of formula. But what's the difference if you go see your doctor at your baby's well-baby visit and she's hawking off cans of formula. It's all the same and I'm feeling helpless. These damn companies are sabotaging women and babies everywhere in their attempts at healthy BFing relationships and it is not only wrong, but immoral. Seriously ladies, what can I do about this?
Needing Advice,
Julie
My name is Julie. I am a mom to a 31 month old boy (Levon) and 2 month old girl (Eila), both of whom are breastfeeding. My lactivism and support for breastfeeding came years ago, long before I even considered having children. My mother breastfed all of her babes back in the 70s when it was thought that only poor women did such a thing and all throughout my childhood, all of the childbearing women did the same. It was totally the norm for me and I'm sure my history laid the foundation for my feelings regarding BFing today. Anyhow, I will get to the situation I have found myself in.
My son was born in a hospital, and while I was planning a natural birth, I unfortunately opted for an epidural. He was born healthy at 9 lbs and started nursing immediately. We were released the following day after not even 24hrs solely because he was doing so well with BFing. I was ecstatic. Unfortunately though, when my milk came in, I was in for weeks of problems. He was gaining well, but my nipples were cracked and bleeding and so f***ing sore that I would bawl my eyes out before, during and after every feeding. I didn't know what the problem was as my family doctor told me he was "the poster child for breastfeeding" when she witnessed me nursing him at a week old. I thought "fantastic, everything is going ok, this pain is just a minor setback." Fastforward 6 weeks...that's how long it took for the pain to subside. I saw a lactation consultant twice who told me his latch and our positioning was wrong. I was very confused as my own doctor was commending me on our success. Talk about mixed messages. She also advised me to start him on solid food at 4 months old because he was "overweight" from bfing. From that point on, I read all that I could on BFing from only the experts on the subject (other moms who BF, Dr. Newman, La Leche League, etc) and realised that If doctors don't research BFing on their own, they learn very little in school to actually advise on the subject. They just know to tell their patients that breast is best.
When I found out I was pregnant with my DD, I sought out the services of a MW as I wanted a homebirth, but I also had to find a new family doc as mine was quitting her practice. So I met with a lady doctor who seemed nice enough until I was leaving. I had my son with my. At this time he was just under 2 years old, but the kid could pass for 3 or 4. In out meeting I told her I was still nursing him, and their was no reaction. Great. So we are heading out the door and she makes a bizarre comment: "Oh he's such a cutie. I wish I had some formula to give him." Ummmm, what the f***??? Ok so this is problematic in many ways right? Firstly, she knows I'm still bfing, so why would I want formula? And he is almost 2 years old!!!! Why would he need it????? And furthermore, why are you, someone in the medical profession, giving away free formula to begin with??? I left the office knowing that we would have to keep searching for a family doctor, much to my chagrin.
Soooo, yesterday I have an appointment with another family doctor, a woman about the same age as me (early 30s) and again she seemed nice enough. It wasn't until she questioned me about why I left the other doctor that I became enraged. I told her the story of the other MD offering formula and she looked puzzled. She said she didn't understand so I told her how I think it is totally unethical for members of the medical community to be offering their patients free formula samples as it can send the wrong message. She disagreed with me and told me that every doctor's office in Toronto does the same, that I'd be hard pressed to find one that doesn't. She said she caters to her patient's needs and if they choose to FF and she has formula then why can't she give it away? SHe said she wasn't going to debate it with me as obviously, and these are her words "you are pro Bfing and anti- FFing." ENRAGED i tell you!!! Like she couldn't even begin to fathom what the problem was. She said she gives away formula, she gives away Tempra and Tylenol, what is the problem? Um, formula IS NOT MEDICINE OR TREATMENT!!! And she got up very quickly and told me that if I was still interested in having her as a family doctor to fill out the forms at the front desk and she left. OF COURSE I AM NOT INTERESTED!!!!
I told my DH about this as I was really upset about the whole situation and his remark was "why is every doctor against breastfeeding?" That is how he sees it. When a doctor endorses formula and when they don't educate themselves in order to advise their patients correctly when it comes to BFing, they are ultimately taking a stand against BFing. And I agree with him. And I can't help wondering if it is for their own financial gain. I hate thinking this way, but really is it that far-fetched? My DS who will be turning 3 in May has had to see the doctor ONCE since his birth and that is only because I didn't trust my own instinct. The more moms that choose to breastfeed, the less sickness there is and as a result, the less trips made to the doctor's office. I am just in a state of shock and now I wonder, will I ever find a doctor that doesn't endorse formula?
I'm at a loss. I want to do something about this situation but what can I do. These formula companies have their hand in EVERYWHERE! Luckily, here in Canada they don't send women home with the goody bags including a handy dandy can of formula. But what's the difference if you go see your doctor at your baby's well-baby visit and she's hawking off cans of formula. It's all the same and I'm feeling helpless. These damn companies are sabotaging women and babies everywhere in their attempts at healthy BFing relationships and it is not only wrong, but immoral. Seriously ladies, what can I do about this?
Needing Advice,
Julie
What I should have asked apparently is whether they 'encourage' breastfeeding, and whether anyone in the system was training in handling breastfeeding problems without handing out formula.
?
and he was sick and wouldn't latch and she had a plugged duct from not nursing for 12+ hours.... Man, oh, man - you guys are getting me all fired up...
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