Hmm, I went to Colby's 8-12mo health review yesterday and it was discussed that I was still breast feeding and thinking about it now makes me quite angry tbh. The HV made me feel like I was keeping him BFing for my own needs and that it was not appropriate.
Some of the little gems she came out with include:
"He should be on cows milk now" (why? He's a human not a cow, surely milk produced by his mother is more nutritionally appropriate, not to mention the immunological benefits, than the milk from an entirely different species.),
"Are you planning to wean him soon?" (No, I fed my DS1 until he was 26mo and will do the same for DS2 if he'll have me),
"Do you think it is more for your comfort than his?"
(I enjoy it but he definitely still wants it and would cry *a lot* if I tried to wean him.)"
And when I pointed out the WHO's recs are to BF until 2yo she said "I know, but not many mothers are still BFing at this age so I'm always amazed when I see mothers who are actually doing it." Ha! Is it any wonder when that is the attitude of the supposed health professionals to whom women look for guidance on this issue?
I really feel like I should complain and suggest that the person who manages the HVs makes efforts to educate them a little. It is not this one HV, I have often sensed a similar attitude from every HV I have seen at the drop in clinics etc. Even if it is not their personal belief I believe they should be promoting BFing in line with the UK guidance. I'm rubbish at things like that though so it would probably come out wrong. It has annoyed me though. I consider myself well-informed and confident about my decision to breastfeed but I worry about other more vulnerable mums who would wean their LO after a similar experience with the HV.
