Breastfeeding.

**littlesprogs** · 19-05-2008, 02:01 PM

When my baby arrives will i need a permission form to breastfeed whilst I am minding?

Louise x

**Spangles** · 19-05-2008, 02:01 PM

I don't know but I blinking well hope not!

**ma7ie** · 19-05-2008, 02:03 PM

I wouldn't have thought so.

**manjay** · 19-05-2008, 02:36 PM

We have just been give 2 new books which promote positive images of breastfeeding mothers in our setting. I wouldn't have thought you would need to but saying that i look after some older children and I am not sure how comfortable I would be with that.

amanda xx

**angeldelight** · 19-05-2008, 02:43 PM

I think its a good question Louise

I do not know the answer and although its great to promote positive images of breasfeeding - some parents might not like it

I actually think children would take it with a pinch of salt after first asking you questions etc - but some parents can be really put off by it

There always seems to be different views on breastfeeding dont you think ?

See what the others say

Angel xx

**mum22** · 19-05-2008, 02:52 PM

I would hope no one would mind at all - I would say to parents this is what you intend to do and that you are happy to answer questions mindees throw at you - sure there will be a few - but after that i'm sure mindees wont bat an eyelid.

x helen

**Banana** · 19-05-2008, 03:29 PM

I wouldnt have thought so, and would be extremely puzzled if there was need for a permission form for breastfeeding. WHy shouldnt children be able to see/learn about how babies are fed without permission, its natural - its not like you are breastfeeding them!

Be interested to know the answer to this though!

x

**wendywu** · 19-05-2008, 03:51 PM

The only problem i could see would be if you were to breastfeed in front of 12 year old male afterschoolers dressed in your baby doll nightie. But otherwise go for it i cannot see why not.

**littlesprogs** · 19-05-2008, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by wendywu

The only problem i could see would be if you were to breastfeed in front of 12 year old male afterschoolers dressed in your baby doll nightie. But otherwise go for it i cannot see why not.

Dont think i would even consider doing that myself anyway lol.

Obviously i would be breastfeeding discreetly and the younger ones probably wouldnt even notice. I dont currently have any older ones on my books anyway i only have a 2.5 year old.

**Tatia** · 19-05-2008, 03:57 PM

I'd be offended if I needed a permission form to feed my own child but I would definitely discuss it with the parents, let them know your plans (yeah you for nursing!) and be discreet. I had 3 mindees when I was nursing Seri and the lb was very curious and had supportive parents and the 3 yr old girl would pretend to nurse her dollies instead of giving them a bottle when they needed fed!

Both sets of parents were wonderful about it.

Pipsqueak · 19-05-2008, 04:01 PM

I should jolly well hope you wouldn't!!!!

Speak to the parents, tell them you intend on b/f'g and how would you like them to answer questions the children may ask (each family has different ways of explaining). Tell them you would use proper names for anatomy and why (functions) etc. Thats all I would do.

Perhaps speak to NCMA advice line??? See what the "offical line" is?

**Blaze** · 19-05-2008, 04:03 PM

I'd just write a quick policy on it & get the parents to sign for the policy...all sorted then!

PS Your business...your rules!

**Spangles** · 19-05-2008, 06:43 PM

Have you got a development officer you can ask? They might have come across the question before.

I would just do it though, it's not like you're not going to do it if parents object! It's your baby and your body and you can't let other people put you off breastfeeding when you know all of the benefits you'd both be missing out on.

I don't understand why people are so prudish and stuffy about it these days. The mind boggles!

**littlesprogs** · 19-05-2008, 06:45 PM

I dont have a development officer no but think i will give the ncma a call to see.

It wont stop me breastfeeding i will just have to express bottles for the daytime. I would rather not do that though!

**Spangles** · 19-05-2008, 06:49 PM

Trouble with expressing is that you can start to produce less milk because the action is different plus you are advised to either exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 weeks otherwise they reckon the baby can get confused with the two different sucking techniques.

I can ask my dev offcr for you tomorrow evening after my EYFS training if you like for another opinion?

**littlesprogs** · 19-05-2008, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Spangles

Trouble with expressing is that you can start to produce less milk because the action is different plus you are advised to either exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 weeks otherwise they reckon the baby can get confused with the two different sucking techniques.

I can ask my dev offcr for you tomorrow evening after my EYFS training if you like for another opinion?

Oh i know that about the first 6 weeks but if parents have a problem i would say not to come until i can express! Plus i have tommee tippee closer to nature bottles which helps with the sucking technique for breast and bottle.

Oh yes that would be great spangles if your sure you dont mind.

**Spangles** · 19-05-2008, 06:54 PM

No problem, I'll see what she says and let you know.

**Schnakes** · 19-05-2008, 08:53 PM

parents, let them know your plans (yeah you for nursing!) and be discreet. I had 3 mindees when I was nursing Seri and the lb was very curious and had supportive parents and the 3 yr old girl would pretend to nurse her dollies instead of giving them a bottle when they needed fed! Both sets of parents were wonderful about it.

Hello everyone - long time no chat-to!

Hope you are all well!

I just had to reply to this. In response to the OP - I breastfed my son in front of the mindees and they were interested...I think thats great - shows them what a natural thing it is. I dont think the 'rents would have minded - all mine are members of the breast feeding club...no joke! There is actually a proper breastfeeding club here. All the babies parents know each other! Its a really heavily promoted thing here...although I think (sorry to go off on one..I havent been on hee for a while...need to let it all out!

) that it can sometimes work to the detriment of some people - one of my mums who had real genuine problems feeding her baby felt horribly guilty about it, I think because of the pressure of - you-are-a-perfect-mum-only-if-you-breast-feed thing.

Anyway! Tatias post reminded me of something! One of the little girls I used to look after...her mum was a midwife who specialised in C-sections. The little girl loved to play doctors and she always used to pretend that I was giving birth to a baby....who she would then "cut" out of me!! Very odd!

Sx

**Spangles** · 20-05-2008, 08:56 PM

Hi

Just got back from training!

My dev officer said to just include it in your conversations with the parents about maternity leave/your baby etc that you are going to breastfeed and that you will do this, that and the other to be discreet but it can be seen as a learning experience.

She said that you don't need to do anything else. If the parents have a problem with it, it's their problem and not yours.

Does that help?

**angeldelight** · 20-05-2008, 09:00 PM

I agree with that and you should be allowed to do what you want to do in your own home anyway

Cant see what the problem would be really and if you cover yourself from the start hopefully parents will be ok with that

Thanks for that Lorri

Angel xx