Medical professionals are notorious for bad info and advice on breastfeeding. I, for one, am sick of it! All lactation persons are required to yield to the advice of the doctors. This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing IF the doctor was educated about breastfeeding! Sadly we all know that is... MORE

Medical professionals are notorious for bad info and advice on breastfeeding. I, for one, am sick of it! All lactation persons are required to yield to the advice of the doctors. This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing IF the doctor was educated about breastfeeding! Sadly we all know that is usually just not the case.

The message they send to moms is confusing and contradictory, they are the ones who pit mothers against mothers by planting seeds of inadequacy in them. They tell moms that breast is best, then quick as they can they tell her she "needs" to supplement or wean or add solids, etc. because her breast milk isn't enough. They hardly ever refer to a lactation consultant, and many times it doesn't matter if they do because as I mentioned lc's can't go against what the "doctor orders". So then mom trusts the medical professional, since they feel they should know what they are talking about and they put the fear into mom, using their little ones against them. Or you may have a doctor who tells a mom struggling with a decision or with breastfeeding(since they have no clue how to troubleshoot bf) that it makes no difference and she should skip breastfeeding or stop because it doesn't matter. Mom then has the seed planted, "I am not good enough, I am a failure, etc.". So then every time breastfeeding is mentioned it brings back those feelings of inadequacy in mom. She gets defensive, OF COURSE she gets defensive!

How can we expect and exact change if this continues. These doctors and nurses need to have required training in breastfeeding management, not just benefits and medical issues that may arise. They need to be willing to work with, not against, lactation professionals and refer to them if they don't know how to help. We as mothers have the power to help make change happen and happen sooner, doctors and hospitals are still businesses. They are selling a service and we as consumers can demand BETTER service!