6 questions that will reveal if your pediatrician is breastfeeding friendly
“Women don’t breastfeed, CULTURES breastfeed” Kimberly Seals Allers, The Big Letdown
Hey Mommas,
To help you be successful with breastfeeding you need your village to be educated on and supportive of breastfeeding. In your babies first year of life you will be spending a lot of time at the pediatricians office. Have you discussed breastfeeding with your pediatrician? Do you know what questions to ask to find out if your care provider is part of a culture that supports breastfeeding? Here are a few things you can ask to see if your physician truly supports breastfeeding.
What is your personal and/or hands-on breastfeeding experience?
Do you promote/support exclusive breastfeeding?
Do you encourage responsive feeding (no type of feeding schedule is suggested)?
Do you measure and weigh babies using the WHO growth chart?
Will you recommend an IBCLC or CLC if needed?
Do you believe breastmilk is still beneficial beyond baby’s first year of life?
Remember that you are the consumer and you have every right to ask these questions of your provider. It is absolutely a red flag that your provider may be unsupportive of breastfeeding if they feel threatened or push back to any of these questions.
Happy Saturday and nurse on momma!
Meghan