Saturday, January 14, 2012

breastfeeding

OIK - I have posted many times what a supporter I am of breastfeeding. I nursed my oldest until he was 13.5 mths old, and at 16.5mths I am still nursing my youngest.

Not only do I enjoy the time I have with him while we are nursing, I know that the health benefits (for both him and I) are amazing. I have no idea when I will stop nursing, I never set a concrete time in my head, I just set my minimum goal for 6mths. Once I hit that, I take it 1 day at a time and see what works for our family. Since Kyle only really nurses after morning wake up and before bed, the odd time overnight, or before a nap if I am around, it is still working for us.

I was absolutely flabbergasted when I watched this vlog and heard what comment a PEDIATRICIAN made to this mother about nursing her 13mth old daughter. I really cannot believe that it would come out of anyone's mouth - let alone a medical professional that must KNOW about the health benefits...

So, here it is - feel free to watch the video (approx 15 minutes in length) and leave a comment with your thoughts.
open letter to pediatrician - vlog

13 comments:

  1. In many countries, women breastfeed their children until they are 5 or 6 so 13months seems unreasonable to make that mom stop.

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    1. I know - 13mths and they are still babies....it really bugs me the lack of support there is for breastfeeding moms (I didn't really think there was a lack of support until I started reading more and more about people being asked to stop nursing in restaurants/malls etc.) the resources are there, but the knowledge and acceptance with the general public is still not.

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  2. Oy that makes me fired up too!
    Great post!
    I nursed mine until 13 months and 18 months! I miss it some days!

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  3. Oops from ~SASS (host) http://www.multitestingmommy.com/2012/01/nows-your-chance-to-sass-back-with_13.html

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  4. hmmm 13 months doesn't seem out of the norm nowadays and it's the mother's perogative.

    SASS

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  5. Its sad to me that no matter what you do, you can't win. I had to stop nursing my 2 older boys at 8 months and 5.5 months b/c of how much they bit me with teeth. They both had teeth before 4.5 months. They both started biting from their first tooth. I had nursing advocates say that it was just not-latching right, that was not the case. Neither had a problem latching, they would nurse nicely, and then all of a sudden they would bite, and bite hard! I would get so stressed out I was losing weight and not eating, and being sick. So for me I had to stop early. With my 3rd I nursed until he quit asking for it at 12 months. I always said minimum of 6 months, and would end at 12 months, b/c that is what I was comfortable with. We got to 12 months with my 3rd, and wasn't sure how to stop. A few days in he just didn't ask for it anymore. So that worked for me.

    I did feel a little guilty with my 2nd that I didn't make the 6 months, but I couldn't do it anymore. I think we all need to do what is best for us and our babies.- SASS

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    1. I have been lucky with my 2, the only time they really bit was when they were teething - and we would just end that session as soon as it happened.

      I knew my oldest was ready to wean when he started biting at latch. I tried a few times, but he refused to latch and would just bite over and over - so that was the end. I was sad - because I wasn't emotionally prepared for it.

      I do agree though, that however you feed your child, has to be the best solution for your own family. I am a huge advocate of breastfeeding, but I would never try and make a mom feel guilty if she didn't nurse. There is nothing wrong with formula, my oldest had it in the NICU - it just isn't right for our family.

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  6. I like her point where she says the doctor should support your decision and that they may have a personal opinion but not let it get in the way. I am shocked that this doctor said that to her and her husband. I don't get why breastfeeding is SO controversial! SASS

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  7. I am still nursing my son at 18 months and it amazes me everyday how uneducated North Americans are on the benefits of breastfeeding! Other (first world) countries are much more supportive of breastfeeding.

    Thanks for taking part in SASS, hope to see you next week!

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  8. I had one of those drs with my first..needless to say he lost us as patients when she was 4 mths old. I had such a hard time trying to get her to latch and if it wasnt for the dr's and staff at the breast feeding clinic i was ati know i would have given up. Instead because of them i got to breast feed her til she was 18mths and I found a new family dr. Dr\s like the one above dont deserve to have patients.

    Sass Host! Thanks for linking up!

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  10. I am constantly shocked by how unsupportive my FEMALE family physician is with my decision to breastfeed. I nursed girl#1 until she was 2.5. #2 is approaching her second birthday and I have no plans to wean her, just let her do her own thing in time. My goal was always 2 years, which is what the World Health Organization recommends as the minimum standard for breastfeeding. I get that some folks can't or don't want to breastfeed for that long, but I get riled up when folks won't support, or actively seek to undermine, those that do. Particularly those such as doctors, pediatricians, etc, that should know better! -SASS

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