hazardous health visitors!

[earthmummy]

I am quite new to mums net and can see myself getting hooked.

It is dishartening to see just how much damaging and inaccurate advise and information is given out by health visitors. I am aware that some HV's are ecxellent but many might as well be AF reps because of the things they say.

Its pleasing to see that there is some fantastic feedback on this site. I can see that many mums on mumsnet have had some 'interesting' encounters with health visitors. I would like to share my experience.

When my baby was 5 weeks old I started attending group for mums with babies under 3 months. The group was run by health visitors.

Some of the things that were said and done amaised me. Here are a few examples as follows

'Sometimes breastfed babies need water'

'Giving a baby a bottle of formula can help maintain breastfeeding; it's perfectly okay to do this'

To a new mum who's baby was BF frequently and who asked for advice; within 1 min. of the conversation 'there's no harm in giving a bottle'

Cow and gate and Hinze baby food free samples given out! Audience with Babies under 3mths!!

Cow and gate carrier bag for all to see!

'We know babies better than anyone so if you are having problems then we can sort them out'

'The newborn's cry is a hunger cry, babies have 4 different cries and we (HV's)recognise all of them, you don't and by the time you do your baby has you wrapped around its finger'

'Don't pick your baby up all the time, it's good for it to cry..........'

the list is endless...

I was deeply discusted and documented everything then sent it to the trust making a complaint. I don't usually tell other people what to do but please mums document such episodes and complain. We need sound HV's not out of date monsters to support us. We as users of NHS services are in a strong position to put a stop to bad practice.

[tiktok]

Really excellent that you complained, EM...wish more people would. Did you get a reply?

[earthmummy]

They got sent on an update course and it seems they may get a verbal warning.

[Uwila]

Good for you for taking some constructive action. I personally don't have much time for HV. They've never told me anything I couldn't figure out myself. And if ever I have had a medical question they have been unable to answer it. So, I just make a b-line for the GP. I have no use for a HV.

Another one for your list is the way they go round advisin fromage frais for is high calcium value.... errrr... that is dessert, not a nutritious source of calcium.

[fireflyfairy2]

I am sorry for you that you got lumbered with a HV that has been no help to you. It's awful when they try and tell new mums that they know better than the mums do :(

I have just had my HV out today, we were having some behavioural problems with our 4yr old dd and my HV has walked me by the hand through them, it has taken us almost 3 months but today I can say that I think we are getting there. My HV is fantsatic and has been a great support to us!!