Felt uncomfortable breastfeeding DD in front of GP today!

[Shanti]

I had an appointment with a new GP today, never been to this clinic before and thought I'd try it out!
I sat down and started to discuss what I needed help with, why I was there etc and all that.... and 15mo DD decides she would like some 'booby' right now and starts saying "booby". So I said to the GP "excuse me, I'll just feed her" and she looks at me, with a really blank stare, kinda emotionless. Maybe surprised that DD was saying the word "booby" (omg how rude!!!!! not) I then carried on with what I was saying and said "so I'm still breastfeeding and...." and kept on going.... the whole time the GP was talking to me, she kept looking down at DD who was feeding and coming on and off looking at the GP (you know how toddlers do that LOL) and I was feeling really uncomfortable because I think the GP was!! I really didn't feel comfortable at all.
When I told her that we are still BF, I kinda expected at least a smile of acknowledgement or something about it or even a "uh huh" you know how GP's do that when they are listening but nothing, she was really blank about it all.

Anyway just wanted to get that out there. I think it's highly possible she hardly see's many babies of DD's age still being breastfed seeing as it's not that common unfortunately, so I guess it was a rare site for her to see..... *sigh* wish it was more common. and seen as natural and normal as it is.
I just had those *vibes* that she was uncomfortable with it all... you know what I mean? it wasn't a comment or a look as such more a vibe....

I have never cared what anyone thinks about me breastfeeding a baby or a toddler, now that DD is a toddler because I know I'm doing the best thing by DD and myself. I dunno why this GP made me feel uncomfortable but she did.

I think I'll keep searching for a new GP.... it's so hard finding a good one!! *sigh*

Thanks for reading.

[AliBaby]

You definitely shouldnt have been made to feel that way hun ESP by a medical professional who should know how beneficial it is to bf a 15mth old child.

[Visitor7]

Oh hun, what a very uncomfortable situation for you to be in, and unnecessary as well. You are right (unfortunately) in saying that it's not the 'norm' for a toddler to be breastfeeding. Which is a shame really. Especially when a GP does that! *hugs* hun xxx

[Olive]

yep because breastfeeding is soooo gross i know i prefer to sick my nipple in my DD's mouth as opposed to a rubber teat with a BEASTS breastmilk which is so acceptable, give me the willies.

hun maybe contact barb and ask her if she knows any breastfeeding friendly GPs i n your area

[Peach*]

I went to a local GP and DD did the same thing, the Doc said "Oh she likes it now but she'll think its disgusting when she's older" WTF?!!! Some doctors are terrible!!!

[Shanti]

yep because breastfeeding is soooo gross i know i prefer to sick my nipple in my DD's mouth as opposed to a rubber teat with a BEASTS breastmilk which is so acceptable, give me the willies.

hun maybe contact barb and ask her if she knows any breastfeeding friendly GPs i n your area

ooooh great idea Olive, why didn't I think of that? I will do

I thought about it and thought maybe I'm just thinking this all up in my head but I've NEVER felt like that before.... I swear if I could have read her mind, she was probably thinking "that child looks a bit big for that now, i'm sure she could wait for it and doesn't need it right now while we're trying to talk" .... LOL ok that's probably my imagination getting carried away now!! But you know what i mean!!!!!!

I wish society didn't have these beliefs about BF toddlers

Oh and also, probably what has sparked this off more is that this morning when watching early morning TV I saw an ad that started off "we all know breastfeeding is best for babies but after that stops, that's when Karicare Toddler milk is beneficial " BLAH BLAH BLAH........ even my DH heard the ad from the toilet (hehe) and called out..... "did you hear that on tv?" They shouldn't be allowed to advertise that on TV.

[sloane]

wowee - it's pretty bad when a GP is weirded out by a natural function of the body! i mean, if they can deal with poo specimens & urine tests etc without batting an eyelid, you'd think a bit of boob wouldn't freak them out!

i wish you could share my GP but it might be just a little too far to travel

[AndiE]

Some GPs are completely ridiculous about BFing older babies/toddlers. A close friend of mine was BFing her then approx 18mo DD and out of the blue had massive issues with one of her breasts. Major pain, soreness etc when feeding. She consulted three GPs, none of whom had a clue what the problem could be but apparently all of them made her feel silly for continuing to BF her DD. They more or less told her it was time to give it up. One of them even had the gall to tell her there were "no benefits to breastfeeding a child older than 6 months". My girlfriend was livid. She ultimately was helped by a lactation consultant and naturopath (the problem was eczema!!)

[kelebek]

I saw a similar ad like that the other day that showed that WHO recommends feeding until 2 and showed the bub from baby and 15 mnth old and then went onto imply that if they aren't getting enough nutrients this formulae has everthing grr made me so made

Sorry to go OT there what I wanted to say was that she may have been uncomfortable and that really sucks that it isn't seen as normal but well done to you for helping to make it normal, you carried on despite getting the vibe and showed how normal it was

[Rivlas]

Peach, maybe the Dr was referring to your DD in years to come and her b/f. Many teens think b/f gross as they cannot get their mind around the idea. It's not until you are pregnant do you really think about feeding your own child and it makes sense.

Shanit, I hope you find a Dr you are comfortable with soon. Maybe talk to your MCN for a good one.

[Nelle]

Just putting this out there - that if I've felt uncomfortable about something a first time, after I've been able to process it, I'm usually cool with it after that. So - this GP may never have seen a toddler be breastfed, but might have thought about it more or researched it or whatever and decide that actually they don't need to be weird about it, and want to learn to be comfortable with it.
It might be worth one more visit? You can always pop some ABA or WHO info in your bag so you feel confident about a second visit.

I'm sorry you felt a bit alienated though. I hate that, when you're made to feel uneasy about something when you usually feel fine with it. xo

[Shanti]

Thanks girls for your lovely support!!
I mean, I choose to feel the way I feel in any situation so perhaps I was just feeling sensitive or something yesterday?! LOL I have been ill all week and feeling so tired of being sick so that doesn't help. I am seeing her next week with some results I'm waiting on so if I feed DD again in front of her, I don't think I'm going to feel as 'vulnerable' as she's already seen me do it so she shouldnt' be so 'surprised?" if thats the right word.
I dunno, I can only go off the 'vibes' i was getting from the GP. She never said anything to me about stopping or didn't question me about it or anything. I think if she did, I would have stated the WHO recommendations and said to her "I'm surprised you don't know that!!!" haha

[Bathsheba]

I BF my youngest until he was 2 and also got a mixed responses from medical people but the majority were supportive. If I sensed doubt I would cite the WHO recomendations or say something like "my mother is a nurse but she doesn't seem to understand the value of BF beyond babyhood"...which kinda dared them to question it too. Fortunately one of the last times I BF infront of a medical person was when my 2yo DS had to have a needle... he cried and asked for "bit more" (he version of "Booby") and the nurse was very impressed as it soothed him instantly! she said "good on you mum".

Like Nelle said, maybe you could educate her! A fine service indeed Well done!