I have recently discovered that the PHN is asking people who aren't breastfeeding anymore to stop attending the breastfeeding group. I was really disappointed to hear this especially as the group is such a life line for mothers. Doris has always said I could go back to get Eoin weighed as I had breastfed, I found it great too for when I was weaning on to bottles. I'm really considering writing a letter the HSE to suggest that they introduce a morning session where mothers can go meet with the PHN like the breastfeeding group but as a general support group. I also think that they need better advertisements as the Fingal Independant is wrong and that's not a good start.
I really think that there needs to be some sort of support group for mothers as now that they are being turned away for the breastfeeding group where are they meant to go??
I totally agree with you Doreen, I felt that I shouldn't be going after having stopped breastfeeding Isabella as the atmosphere seemed to have changed. I don't think i will go anymore as i don't want to be told to my face not to come back and at the same time I don't want to lie anout how I am feeding my baby, but I still have questions and need support on things especially as she is eating food now. I would be happy to help get a letter to the HSE or put my name to one that you may have written, I am sure I am not alone and many of the other mams at the wednesday coffee morning would agree. Maybe we'll talk about it if you are there on Wednesday, I plan to be! Feel really het up about this now!!!!
Is it all the PHNs that are saying it, or is it just one? I often find that they have very different views on things and can be a little inconsistent, but that's another story.
IMO, former breastfed babies should always be welcome back, as their pattern of weight gain, feeding, illnesses etc is likely to be different from a baby that was never breastfed.
I'm sad to hear that the atmoshere has changed, I'm not going anymore, anyway because I'm back at work, but have to say it was a lifeline for me when I was on maternity leave. Not only did it help me continue breastfeeding, but it saved my sanity by meeting other mums and babies.
Definitely write to the HSE Dors, and let us know if you get a reply.
I haven't been down to get Eoin weighed since his first birthday but like you I feel it is a life line and I found it grea for meeting other moms. Sure that's where I met both of you(!) I have maintained a record of Eoin's weight on my calendar and I always found it great having those few minutes to as the PHN a few questions.
Will be down on Wednesday Laura, will talk about composing a letter then.
|How's work going for you Ruth? Are you back long?
I attended after I stopped breastfeeding because, like some of you have said, it was such a life line for me. I didn't know anybody in Balbriggan and, as a first time mother, was so nervous that I was doing everything wrong It just reassured me to know it was there.
yeah, it's a real pity alright - I was going down with Sean after I had finished breastfeeding, then one morning the PHN nurse, while weighing sean, said that the babies were not to be bottle fed while there, only breastfed... I did tell a bit of a porky, and siad I was still feeding sean, but was down to feeding him only at night... needless to say that was my last visit ....
I really miss having him weighed and having the PHN there for any questions I might have - like Laura siad, now that their on solids its such a big change and there are many new questions ...
well i can say i'm not at all surprised!!! when i breastfed lauren i used to go to the group and loved it. so much so that at the time i didn't have a car but i would walk there hale, rain or snow, so to speak. one day the nurse call in on her way past to check on lauren as she was very slow to put on weight. whilst she was there i meantion i had dropped a fed and replaced it with bottle. she then said that could come to group only if was still breast feeding and the more feeds i dropped i wouldn't need group anymore. i was shocked. when i said i enjoyed the group she said it was there to support breast feeding and to provide an environment safe for mom's to do that. which i agree with. but when i said i was lonely and felt i'd get down been alone all week with baby she said.. well it won't be long till your child is old enough to go to the toddler group. i was so upset and didn't go to toddler group till lauren was one. i didn't know then that you could bring baby there if you like.
feel though should be a group for all new moms. i met a local mother recently and she was suffering from post natal depression. she spoke to clinic and they said there was no support group in balbriggan for her. she said that she mentioned that she probably feel much better if she had company and knew other mothers. she said they said that as she was bottle feeding that there was no group she could attend. if this is true how sad is that!!
sarah wrote: i met a local mother recently and she was suffering from post natal depression. she spoke to clinic and they said there was no support group in balbriggan for her. she said that she mentioned that she probably feel much better if she had company and knew other mothers. she said they said that as she was bottle feeding that there was no group she could attend. if this is true how sad is that!!
That is awful! It really feels sometimes like you're being punished for bottle feeding.
It just reassured me to know it was there.
That is awful! It really feels sometimes like you're being punished for bottle feeding.
