On the first day, daycare shamed me for 'still' giving my 9mo breastmilk

"That was just the first of the red flags..." the Melbourne mum wrote.

2 min read

July 27, 2023 - 1:48PM

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A Melbourne mum has taken to a local Facebook group to share her disheartening experience during her son's daycare orientation.

She was questioned over her decision to "still" feed her nine-month-old breastmilk - but that was only the beginning of the judgmental remarks.

Her post sparked a discussion among group members, who gave the first time mum their advice, empathy and understanding.

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Image: IStock

Three snarky remarks and a final blow

In the post, the mum shared her experience at the daycare centre, saying that one educator's line of questioning left her feeling overwhelmed and like a "failure".

When asked about her son's milk intake and sleep schedule, she confidently responded, only to receive snarky remarks.

"The educator asked me if he is on Formula or cow's milk. I replied he is on breastmilk, and she said 'still?'" the mum explained.

"Then she asked me how many feeds he has during the day. I replied four to five and she again said, 'still?'

"She then asked me when does he wake up and I replied 8:30 am to 9 am as I don't have a strict schedule and follow his leads. She said 'that's very late'."

After these three comments, the mum said she felt "overwhelmed."

To add to this, she also felt uncomfortable that her baby was going into a room with toddlers up to three years old. When she raised her concerns about this, the daycare staff told her, "It seems you are not comfortable sending your baby at this age."

The mum concluded her post by saying, "I guess all mums are a bit stressed and may ask certain questions when sending their baby to daycare. But I'm just seeking assurance that I didn't ask anything stupid."

'No one should comment on how a mum is raising her child'

Fellow group members immediately rushed to show their support and share their perspectives.

"Apart from it feeling unprofessional, because it sounds judgmental - no one should comment on how a woman is raising her child. She's a daycare worker, not a health professional whose advice is being sought," one mum said.

And lots of members took issue with the "still?!" remarks about breastfeeding, saying that as long as both mum and bub are comfortable with breastfeeding, then that's all that matters.

"They don’t sound like the best fit," someone else said. "So many red flags."

"Ha! I’d hate to hear her responses to me still breastfeeding my NINETEEN-month-old whenever he wants!!" one mum exclaimed.

"Formula OR COW MILK for a nine-month-old??? I really hope they aren't letting babies live off cow milk that young? I would not go back," voiced another concerned member.

"I'd feel pretty peeved off with those responses and know that that person would not be in line with how I parent. We all know that fed is best, whether it's breast milk, formula, bottle, whatever. Her responses are uncalled for," concluded another supportive mum.

This story was updated in October 2023.