Open Letter to Pediatricians on Breastfeeding

http://www.facebook.com/erinbabyvlog -- I did this video after an experience I had with an on-call pediatrician here in Ottawa, Dr. Andre Engels.

When he asked me if I planned on breastfeeding my 13 month old daughter until she was in high school, I was shocked and appalled.

This letter was written, and shared here in video format, in hopes that it will help other mothers to know what to say to a pediatrician should they ever find themselves in my situation.

---

I feel that it is very important for me to state Section 1 of the Human Rights Code, RSO 1990, c H.19, which states, Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability. The Ontario Human Rights Commission's position is that the obligation not to discriminate on the basis of 'sex' includes an obligation not to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy, breastfeeding and gender identity.

This legal obligation is reflected in guidance contained in the Canadian Medical Association's Code of Ethics, paragraph 17.

http://www.cpso.on.ca/uploadedFiles/downloads/cpsodocuments/policies/policies...

Health Canada recommends the following: Encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, as breast milk is the best food for optimal growth. Breastfeeding may continue for up to 2 years and beyond.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/infant-nourrisson/nut_infant_nourrisson_ter...

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. At six months, other foods should complement breastfeeding for up to two years or more.

WHO also states that breastmilk is the ideal food for newborns and infants. It gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development. It is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia.

WHO states that beyond the immediate benefits for children, breastfeeding contributes to a lifetime of good health. Adults who were breastfed as babies often have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, as well as lower rates of overweight, obesity and type-2 diabetes.

WHO states that breastfeeding should not be decreased when starting complementary feeding.

http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/breastfeeding/en/

A Dewey 2011 reference states that in the second year (12-23 months), 448ml of breastmilk provides: 29% of energy requirements, 43% of protein requirements, 36% of calcium requirements, 75% of vitamin A requirements, 76% of folate requirements, 94% of vitamin B12 requirements and 60% of vitamin C requirements.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the role of pediatricians and other health care professionals should be to protect, promote and support breastfeeding enthusiastically and, in consideration of the extensively published evidence for improved health and developmental outcomes in breastfed infants and their mothers, a strong position on behalf of breastfeeding is warranted.

The AAP also states that pediatricians should promote breastfeeding as a cultural norm and encourage family and societal support for breastfeeding. They also need to recognize the effect of cultural diversity on breastfeeding attitudes and practices and encourage variations that effectively promote and support breastfeeding.

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496

The sad part is that, in a study performed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which involved a survey sent to 1602 active Fellows of the AAP, only 65% of the pediatricians surveyed recommended exclusive breastfeeding for the first month of life. Only 37% of pediatricians recommended breastfeeding for 1 year. The majority of the pediatricians surveyed had also not attended a presentation on breastfeeding in the previous three years however most said that they did want more education on breastfeeding. They concluded that pediatricians have significant educational needs in the area of breastfeeding.

http://www.pediatricsdigest.mobi/content/103/3/e35.full

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Breastfeeding Open Letter
• Dr Andre Engels
• pediatrician
• Ottawa
• Ontario
• Canada
• breastfeeding
• bfing
• breastfeed
• breastfed
• 13 month old
• civil rights
• Erin Blaskie
• Willow Blaskie
• Steve Blaskie
• babyvlog

[LouiseAndBaba]

I really don't think the highschool comment is such a big deal. It just seems like he simply doesn't meet that many women wh plan on breastfeeding indefinitely and he tried to bring up the topic for discussion in a clumsy way.

I actually feel that you were too prepared to feel attacked, even when it wasn't intended. Feeling the victim doesn't help breastfeeding.

What was wrong is the further comment about it being illegal, but by then he would have been feeling your hostility towards him.

[babyvlog]

@LouiseAndBaba - I really think that you would have had to be there in order to understand why I'm upset. I've been questioned about breastfeeding (and every other parenting choice) to no end and I've brushed them all off without much thought. If you look through my videos here on YT, you will see a definitive lack of me feeling hurt or complaining. If I do take the time to complain, it's warranted. I'm an intelligent person (as is my husband) and we know this was wrong.

[MaRiSa22Bunny]

he probably was just joking.. he seemed to treat willow very nicely and was a competent doctor.. --- doctors sometimes have a bad sense of humor-- it wasnt like he caused harm to your child.. i think you are over reacting a little bit... people go through much worse with errors made that are more than a comment and lives can be at risk

[babyvlog]

@MaRiSa22Bunny - I appreciate you commenting but no, this doctor was not joking. Otherwise, I would not have spent my time and effort to put together this video. You don't know me very well if you think I would overreact to a statement said to me. I waited five days before writing my letter and before posting this video and I feel as strongly about it today as I did when I left his office. It may not seem like a big deal to you but it is to me and it's a denial of my civil rights.

[poppyrred]

Thank you for this video. I had something similar happen to me when I took my 12mth old to the emerg here in Ontario. If I didn`t think the way I do about breastfeeding I would have been second guessing myself after the dr comment. I also get alot of comments from family (you`re still bf? she`s one! etc). Thank for letting me know I am not alone.

[MOMMYplus3GIRLS]

I've breastfeed all 3 of mine and was really luck as well never had any infections. I did experience the sore nipples with my last but overall very lucky with everything else that could have gone wrong.

[Suzis99]

Can I just add, people can be very ignorant, yes even doctors! You are 100% right in all you have to say here. If people don't stand up for what's right we we all be dis empowered. I really disagree with the first post too. My son has had a series of colds and an ear infection and he refused all foods and even water, if he was not breastfeeding he would have suffered from dehydration I am sure. Especially when your child gets sick you really see how extended bfeeding helps protect and nurture.

[Suzis99]

Wow how uncalled for, good for you for standing up for your rights. I find those comments really disrespectful and cold. As you say he should have the child's best interest at heart. Very arrogant of him to feel he can make comments on your own personal parenting decisions. And breastfeeding for longer is a good thing as we ALL know for the child's health and well being, I am bfeeding my toddler who is older than yours and I tell you if a Dr said that to me, wow, he would have got an earful.

[chabella123]

@babyvlog i agree with you :) I support you.

[chabella123]

@LouiseAndBaba as a professional,he should have been more careful.he obviously didn't do much to make it a"funny matter".Every mother is protective.

He probably felt guilty(or meant it- and walked out)Neverless,this doesn't give him the right to say such a strange thing to a mother who chooses what she feels is best for her child.There are simply things ONE professionaly does NOT say.It is HIS job to be careful- and if he was "careless"(as you write he might have been), then resolve it. :)

[pinkcinderella07]

cont...rest of the world thinks its awkward. I just don't understand exactly what it is that bothers people about it. If they think it is weird than THEY are the ones who are weirdos and have problems to work out not you. Why can't the world let anything be innocent anymore? I have been so ready to fly off the handle at people here lately lol Thank you for showing that you can make your point in a civilized way, because I would have been stomping back in there and giving him a piece of my mind:)

[pinkcinderella07]

THANK YOU!! Thank you for making this video and sharing your experience (and even submitting yourself to the negativity that you tube has to offer as well) I don't understand why people say you are over reacting. That doctor was way out of line! My son is 7 months old, and already I have received SO many negative comments. I just can't fathom why someone would want me to wean my son and give him formula. Formula was made as a substitute when the mother COULDN'T breastfeed. Not just because the..

[JourneyToBabyNumber2]

Good for you for standing up for yourself! I breastfed my oldest until she was 2 and my youngest is 17 months and still going. I experienced a lot of crap from your average Joe for nursing that long but never had a healthcare professional speak to me that way. If he has his own reservations about breast-feeding that's his business, but as a doctor he is expected to adhere with the guidelines of bigger health organizations who do not view breastfeeding for 13 months as abnormal in the least. His

[eriem1]

I am an RN, IBCLC (registered lactation consultant), and breastfeeding mom. I am shocked and appalled by this. People put SO MUCH value into the opinion health care professionals (esp. doctors) have on matters such as this. Drs not only should be current on the recommendations of breastfeeding, but also need to know how the hell to speak to a patient. As you said, this is a discriminatory comment, and if it was towards your race or sexual orientation, he'd be slapped SO HARD by a lawsuit.