illegal.alien
17.04.12, 23:11
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I am writing to you following my recent appointment at XXX Surgery.
As a patient of the above mentioned surgery I would like to bring an important issue to your attention – namely, the lack of knowledge on the subject of breastfeeding among the doctors at XXX Surgery.
On two occasions I had a chance to talk to the doctors at your surgery and be faced with advice which was in contradiction with the latest guidelines and policies – both of the National Health Service and the World Health Organisation. I have also been misinformed about benefits (or lack of such!) of breastfeeding beyond certain age.
I shall not name names, as the point of this letter is not to name and shame. I would like to make it very clear that the reason why I am writing to you is to make you aware of the situation, so that you can amend it by re-training your staff. I am experienced in breastfeeding, having fed my daughter for 15 months and counting, but I can imagine how such misguided advice would confuse and unsettle a new mother. It would be a shame if your doctors’ ignorance threw women off breastfeeding instead of supporting and encouraging them.
The particular situation that prompted me to write this letter to you took place on XX of March 2012. I went to see one of your doctors as I needed a prescription for a medication I take regularly. When asked when I stopped breastfeeding, I truthfully replied that I am still breastfeeding my daughter at the age of 15 months. In reply I was told that there are no benefits of breastfeeding at such age and that I am actually harming both myself and my daughter. In the former case by depleting myself of calcium and in the latter by making my daughter dependent on me. When I retorted by saying my daughter is allergic to cow’s milk and I am not happy to introduce soya based formula to her diet I was further advised that there are better ways of dealing with a food allergy and that breastfeeding at such an old age is not natural in a country where alternatives are available.
I strongly disagree with these opinions, and there is a vast amount of research to suggest they are wrong. Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins (Dewey 2001). The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001). Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986). Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p.134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breast milk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991). Many studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and to continue breastfeeding long-term after that point. I understand that we live in a country where alternative solutions are available but it has been proven beyond doubt that breastfeeding IS the best option for children with allergies.
The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age and beyond (WHO 1993, WHO 2002). This is not only because of the above mentioned benefits to the child but also numerous benefits to the mother. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer (Furberg H, Newman B, Moorman P, Millikan R., 1999), ovarian cancer (Gwinn ML, Lee NC, Rhodes PH, Layde PM, Rubin GL., 1990), uterine cancer (Brock KE et al., 1989), endometrial cancer (Rosenblatt KA, Thomas DB, 1993) and osteoporosis (Blaauw, R. et al., 1994).
As you can see, my decision to breastfeed my daughter beyond the first few months of her life is not an uninformed one. I have studied the topic in detail, and I have sufficient knowledge not to doubt my decision. However, it has been noted that skilled breastfeeding support either by a peer or a professional is a highly effective way of increasing breastfeeding rates, which are continuously falling in the United Kingdom (Serafino-Cross and Donovan, 1992 as quoted in NICE, 2005). I must say – on both occasions when I expected to get support and approval from medical professionals at your practice I was extremely let down by the lack of knowledge and professionalism among your staff.
Please find various references listed below for yours and your staff’s perusal.
Kind regards,