Why Are Some Pediatricians So Clueless When It Comes To Breastfeeding?
07/04
My baby’s doctor is actually very supportive of breastfeeding, but I hear horrible, and sometimes ridiculous things from other moms. Like my cousin whose doctor told her that her milk wouldn’t be any good for the baby after four months. So she stopped nursing all her kids at four months old. And my friend, who says after a year the milk turns to water, and it’s not healthy or appropriate for the baby to be breastfed past a year, and it might jeopardize her health, physically and emotionally. And of course if a woman breastfeeds past a year, and in my cousin’s case past 4months, her teeth will fall out, and her bones will become brittle.
How come their information is so wrong? Have you had such experiences?
The formula companies have systematic ways that they attempt to sabotage women’s efforts at breastfeeding, including perpetuating incorrect information like:
- breastfeeding is too much work and too time-consuming (as opposed to properly mixing formula and warming bottles, which is a total snap, especially in the middle of the night)
- women want their bodies back (neglecting to mention that breastfeeding helps with postpartum weight loss)
- modern formula is just like breastmilk and confers the same health benefits (except that formula does not have the immune protecting factors and never will)
- the nasty chemicals that you consume are going to your baby (not at all like the chemicals you use to manufacture the formula, or that are used on the soybeans or in the cows that form the basis of your formula)
And to top it off, these formula companies trot this junk out into clinics, doctors’ offices, and hospitals. They give away free samples, knowing that a baby who drinks from a bottle before a breast has a hard time then starting on a breast. If you get pregnant and sign up for anything they will send it to you free along with tons of coupons. They have care packages for new mothers that are specially designed to be given away at the hospital.
And naturally the doctors just don’t want to deal. They don’t know anything about breastfeeding themselves and even if they remember the 2 pages or 15 minutes worth of information they got in medical school, they can’t be bothered in the 8 minutes they get with each mother to talk them out of formula feeding, because they are worried about the mother still smoking, or gestational diabetes, or that funny spot on the ultrasound that might be a marker for Down syndrome, or the mother’s questions about whether they should put earphones to their belly to make their baby smart. Some doctors consider it a right of the mother to make her own decision, which is ludicrous because they would never say the same thing about similar risks.
I think the answer is that the FDA needs to put warning labels on cans of formula outlining that formula feeding instead of breastfeeding increases the risks of all kinds of things. They wouldn’t have hardly enough room on the can to outline it all. Unfortunately, this will never happen because the formula companies line the pockets of Congress and doctors all over this country.
Grassroots, honey. Join La Leche League. Print out flyers and give them to your doctor to put in your their waiting room. Volunteer to educate pregnant women about breastfeeding, even if it’s not for their first baby. Just keep up the good fight.
My doctor, thank goodness, is very supportive of breastfeeding. She did say that breastfed babies past 1 year tend to have more cavities, but I believe that’s because of cosleeping/feeding throughout the night. Doctors aren’t required to know anything about breastfeeding, though. It should be a mother’s responsibility to read as much as she possibly can on it – after all, knowledge is a key factor in breastfeeding success.
because there clueless if theyve never done it
Often pediatricians are male (not always) and males don’t have the experience of breastfeeding so I think they don’t have the same attachment to the idea of breastfeeding as mothers do. When you find a good pediatrician who is understanding and supportive you are lucky indeed. Most women are equipped to breastfeed and continue to produce milk for as long as the baby is put to the breast, sometimes even throughout the next pregnancy. While that idea doesn’t appeal to everyone, if that is something a mother wants to do, she should receive support for her choice to do so and information that will support and educate her in the process. Lactating women can find support in the La Leche organization and in other organizations like, in the Boston area, the Nursing Mother’s Council. If you don’t have a pediatrician who supports you, find one of these organizations or an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. These folks specialize in the support and nurturing of mothers and babies as nursing couples.
Because they get all their infant nutrition information from those nice formula reps that buy lunch for the office staff.
Great system, isn’t it?
My children’s pediatrician is also a lacatation consultant so she knows what she’s talking about. I have heard of many people who were misinformed. I agree with the lady who said it’s because the formula companies are educating them during lunch!
Where in the world did they get their license??? That is completely ridiculous! I have never heard of a doctor saying anything like that, thankfully!
I think the younger doctors have all the correct info and now that the American Academy of Pediatrics is insisting/recommending all babies be breastfed exclusively for no less than 6 mos, hopefully everyone will get on board. There is a lot of research that has proven how BENEFICIAL breastmilk is at 2 yrs now. It’s the right amount of fats for brain development and is still protecting babies with their mother’s immunities after yr 1,
I nursed all of my children for 1 year and it was the best thing I have ever done.
Physicians do not study breastfeeding in medical school. They might have a half hour lecture. They hear the same ignorant nonsense that everyone else hears, and when it comes from people who love them (like mom), it makes sense.
Doctors also hang out with drug reps who teach them how to sabotage breastfeeding. Look for yourself next time you’re there. You’ll find pamphlets that show happy, well-groomed mothers bottlefeeding a chubby baby in a room full of smiling family members. You’ll turn the page and see a disheveled half-naked woman breastfeeding a skinny baby all by herself with no support.
Finance Expert, go ahead and stick to finances. Nutrition isn’t your thing. I’m sure you’re much better with numbers than you are with health. I love that you feel that formula is OK just because I occasionally eat Doritos. We get it, you feel guilty for not breastfeeding. That doesn’t make it OK to spread ignorant rumors that put infants’ lives and well-being in danger
So, uh, what are the cows eating that is better than what I’m eating? The soybeans are grown with water that is superior to what I have to drink? My friend has consulted for formula companies, and he told me this–pig spleens smell like wet dog when they’re stewed for infant formula. Your argument still makes no sense, and research confirms that real milk is better for babies than processed, powdered artificial food from a synthetic nipple. Feed all your babies processed food if you want to, lie to yourself all you want. Keep it real on here or you’ll be called out.
I had a very hard time breastfeeding because a lot of the people around me were clueless and even though I tried my best to increase my supply with the help of a trained lactation consultant, I couldn’t get more than a tablespoon. Needless to say, I was crushed and it still hurts me a bit to give my son a bottle of formula.
I always assumed that breastfeeding was easy because it was natural. When I ran into a few problems, I was so shocked that no one could really help me. I had complained in the hospital that my nipples were sore from my baby’s latch. Several nurses said it was fine. My nipples began to bleed and it wasn’t until weeks later that the problem was discovered; it was my son’s tongue that was incorrectly positioned. By then, my milk supply had dipped and it was almost impossible to bring it up. I pumped frequently, took herbs, tried to nurse…but by then I couldn’t manage.
I also didn’t really know where to go for help, nor did I know about breastfeeding courses, even though I had told my doctor several times I really wanted to breastfeed.
I think formula is pushed upon us by professionals because they get paid to endorse these inferior products. It is very disheartening for someone like me to realize that there is so much help out there when it’s too late.
I hadn’t heard of any of the things you had mentioned above, but I believe that for breastfeeding women, many are unaware of all the help available and give up after feeling like nothing can be done to help them and their baby. We become so scared that our child is starving that we convert to formula too easily.
yeah, i came accross those negative comments all the time!
especially cos i breastfed my 2nd for 23months and 3rd for 28mths and was also pregnant too
my dr said after my son turned 1 that i should stop cos its not doing anything for him anymore!, and i remember the nursing mothers assosiation says 2yrs is reccomended
and ofcourse family members would say stuff all the time, but there was no way i was going to stop for anyone, me and my breastfed kids were happy and i knew that breastfeeding was the best for them
now that my bub is almost 10 months and chubby with a mouth full of teeth, the comments are starting again, BORING, lol, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
and dosent it just piss you off the comments u can get when u ask a question? im still getting over the other day, lol
My goodness,people from the mountain are more knowlegeable than those pediatricians because they can only nurture their baby by means of breastfeeding.
OMG no my kids have had 2 pediatrician and both were very supportive! I breastfed my daughter for 20 mos and they were all but thrilled but personally I was wore out! The pediatrician we currently have also has a lactation consultant in the office and she really promotes breastfeeding!
Actually, I am also shocked by the lack of knowledge of doctors claiming to be baby specialists (I am a new mother too). But, a pediatrician telling a mother that breast feeding is no good after 4 months is downright deceptive. They are supposed to be specialists, so they should know better!
I was told by a mid-wife that some children stay on the breast until 3 years old; it just depends on the mother and child!
When pediatricians make such ignorant comments it’s sometimes because they have no children of their own, and are perhaps jealous. They really should be reported to their superiors.
I have not personally, but hear it all the time from others.
Breastfeeding is not supposed to be a medical situation. Doctors in all fields of medicine get trained on what they need to know. Breastfeeding rarely requires real medical attention, even in cases like mastitis – it’s not a breastfeeding situation, it’s a breast infection – you get an antibiotic and go.
We’re supposed to learn breastfeeding from our circle of women, which is why the 20-30somethings of today are having such issues – because not many of our mothers nursed us!! The ridiculous notion that human milk was incomplete is what our mothers and grandmothers were told during their pregnancies and our babyhoods.
Thats why there are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) who are the real breastfeeding professionals. Groups like La Leche League sprout up because of women’s natural desire to feed their offspring naturally – but don’t know how. It’s not as easy as baby open mouth, insert breast. That is also why in 1958 LLL titled it’s book THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING… because that is what it is.
I can understand a podiatrist not needing a breastfeeding course as part of his core curriculum. But, I do think it should be required for OB/GYNs, Pediatricians, and General Practitioner/Family Doctors to take a full course in breastfeeding… not the extensive IBCLC training… but at least as much as the layman volunteer La Leche Leaaders get. And each of those doctors should also have a breastfeeding medical reference book in his/her arsenal of references in the office like “The Breastfeeding Answer Book” … or “Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession”
Because they cannot fathom a woman being able to naturally nourish her baby !! It is very hard for them to recognize that they are not needed in this …..they go to school for year to learn how to ”fix” everything and everyone so when there is a situation where intervention is unecessary they cannot help but feel useless so inturn they make us feel useless!! My son’s ex ped told me that b/c I’m on a strict elimination diet due to allergies that my milk was not ”rich” enough after thinking this over I wanted to ask him what women in third world countries eat and how there little ones seem to thrive but anyway I agree with most of the other answers and hope one day breastfeeding will be the norm again!!
I had some doctor tell me it was okay to start cow’s milk. Of course I protested and asked her why I’d do that when I have my own ample supply for free. She went on to try to tell me how it’s time and it’s good for him because it contains all these nescessities. I was astonished she didn’t realize my milk had all the same but in better amounts meant for my baby! I think it’s simply because most pediatricians are receiving funds from the formula and dairy industries! It’s such a shame!
My son’s doctor said that I should night wean at 7 weeks, and that I “had to” by three months. That was the last thing she ever said to me because I fired her.
Pediatricians and doctors do not receive any training about breastfeeding, most do not choose to educate themselves despite the (minimal) efforts of their professional organizations. They are also heavily lobbied by the baby food industry.
It is disgusting and I honestly have never found a reasonable solution to the problem.
By the way the American Academy of Family Physicians says:
“If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned.”http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/polic…http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitami…
What if I am breastfeeding AND pregnant?
Hilary Flower researched this question for Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding during Pregnancy and Beyond. She found three important facts that have come from the research of Dr. Ann Prentice in recent years:
1. Recovery of bone mineral density occurs BEFORE weaning. The recovery begins after the baby’s diet begins to be supplemented with other foods or liquids (the “partial breastfeeding phase”). By 12 months breastfeeding mothers have fully recovered their bone mineral density.
2. If a mother becomes pregnant before the recovery is complete, bone mineral density increases during pregnancy, a phenomonon not usually seen.
3. Mothers who are tandem nursing fare the same as their breastfeeding peers.http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/prepare…
Osteoporosis: Reduced risk with nursing? by Debbi Donovan, IBCLC. Studies have shown that breastfeeding mothers do not need extra calcium. In addition, breastfeeding does not negatively impact bone mineral density, and seems in fact to decrease her chance of developing osteoporosis.
Breastfeeding “Remodels” Mom’s Bones New mothers who choose to breastfeed not only help their babies, they could also be building healthier bones for themselves, according to a two-year CNRC study.
Honey, I have heard so much wacky garbage that I’ve thought of writing a book of the world’s most ignorant statements concerning breasts and feeding. I watched my sister in law “attempt” to breastfeed. And, by “attempt,” I mean that she pretended to try when I was there and said she’d pumped and pumped all night (with the pump that was still not out of the package) and fed her baby formula when I wasn’t there. She actually told someone that her “inability” to breastfeed was hereditary because her mother also could not breast feed. Did you know that? Boobs are hereditary, …yep, … ALL the women in my family have them.,…Oh,..well, I guess that isn’t what she meant.
People simply don’t like the idea of breasts in use. I don’t know why. I don’t know why boobs freak people out. I don’t know why pediatricians quote statistics and facts that are incorrect. I don’t know why *I* was able to read the World Health Organization’s publications on breastfeeding and health care providers don’t. My own pedi tried to tell me that there wasn’t enough iron in breastmilk after 6 months. I asked her where she got her info. and she said that she compared the amount found in breastmilk with the amount in formula. DUH!!! Of course formula would HAVE to have more, like,…at least 4 times more. Barely half of formula gets completely broken down anyway.
I’ve nursed my oldest for two years, second for three years and am still nursing my 15 month old. My in-laws don’t comment any more (they know not to go there), but my own mom can’t shut up. I guess I would ask, “why are PEOPLE so clueless about breastfeeding???” Boobs are a good thing, let’s try to remember that.
OMG, they actually said that! That is ridiculous. I am wondering the same thing as you. That is so incredibly sad. One wonders how many mothers were convinced by these types of Dr’s that they cannot breastfeed when they really could have!
The things you mention (turning to water, mothers teeth falling out, and brittle bone) will only happen if the mother does not drink enough milk herself. Her body will take calcium from her bones and teeth and give it to the baby milk.
So just drink more milk than you produce and all should be well.
I am going to go against all of you now and say I disagree with breastfeeding.
The reason I disagree is I don’t think that in this day and age what comes through in the breastmilk is nutritious and good for baby. perhaps in the past (many centuries ago) when food was wholesome, eaten in a raw state, just fruit, berries, nuts and seeds etc – then yes the milk would have been pure and as nature intended it to be.
But now, we all wash our hair, our body, our teeth with chemicals.
We constantly breathe in chemicals and we eat chemicals, processed foods, food colouring etc so how can you all rave on about how amazing breastmilk is?
I’m not saying formula milk is any better – what I am saying is I’m tired of hearing you all as if you are all on a mission and anyone who can’t manage to breastfeed, or chooses not to is an unfit mother who isn’t doing right by her child!
If you want to breastfeed then great – get on with it – but stop thinking you are mother nature herself until you are sure your breastmilk is free of chemicals, pesticides and such the like
*****Feel I have to add more info in defence of all the hate emails I am recieving (now now ladies – think of your stress hormones oozing through into your ‘pure gold’ breastmilk!)
Firstly – I am more than aware that formula milk also contains nasties – I never claimed it didn’t – what I was saying is that you all talk as if breast milk in this day and age is so pure…and for those of you accusing me of spreading lies and rumours – here a link for you all….http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/
(this is a government website by the way)
Generally speaking, they have found that man-made chemicals referred to as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) invade the environment; spread through our water, air and soil; are taken in and stored by fish and animals; and eventually reach the top of the food chain — humans. Once there, they seek out and attach themselves to our fat, which is critical to the production of nursing mothers’ breast milk. As mothers breastfeed their babies, these pollutants enter their babies’ systems.
Ok, so thats my point – I am not ‘feeling guilty’ for not breastfeeding my kids, after all I have had 3 chances to do so if I wished and my youngest is only 15 months old.
And I may be qualified in Financial areas but first and foremost I am a mother of 3 healthy, robust kids who are very rarely ill.
So, anyone else got anything nasty to say to me?
Oh and by the way it wasn’t me who thumbed down all the answers, and to prove it I will now thumb them all down so they should be thumbed down twice now – hard to believe people disagree with your views isn’t it?