Info my pediatrican gave me

[lotusblossom9]

I went to my son's 4 month wellness visit the other day. The ped told me he was ready for food and gave me some information on how to naturally wean. I told her I wanted to breastfeed for at least 1 year. She said anything more than 6 months would be for me, not the baby.

She gives me some information on how to naturally wean him. He's only 4 months old! The "information" she gave me was basically on how to get my child off the breast as soon as possible. The quote, "Even at birth, feedings should be kept to eight times daily or fewer" was shocking to me.

I am in amazement that professionals are dispensing information like this to breastfeeding mothers.

[Claire and Boys]

that's disgusting... I'd have to ask what medical studies have shown that there's no benefit after 6 months.

What's the chance that she FFed her own children or weaned them early and her views are clouded by that?

[PatioGardener]

: Please ask her why she goes against the AAP recommendations.

Hearing this makes me so angry. I am glad you know better, lotusblossom, but what about all those moms out there who don't? Grrrr...

And there is good evidence to show what she is recommending HARMS babies! That is why the starting solids age was changed from 4 mo to 6 mo. Double grrr...

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by lotusblossom9

The quote, "Even at birth, feedings should be kept to eight times daily or fewer" was shocking to me.

Just goes to show how little the rest of the advice in that pamphlet is worth.

Honestly, I'd have a hard time trusting the medical advice of a pediatrician who thought that was good feeding advice.

[SeekingJoy]

Can you get a new ped? My old one recommended the same bunk. Later it included such nuggets of wisdom like:

*offer solids before nursing
* nightwean at 6 months
* offer cows milk before nursing at 12 months
* and my *favorite* "you don't count as dairy"

[kriket]

Originally Posted by SeekingJoy

* and my *favorite* "you don't count as dairy"

what does that even mean?! I would have just stared at your ped like she sprouted another head. :

[guestmama9920]

our ped at hospital say solids at 4 months, claims the books say it's better, I guess sometimes its hard for them to know whats best

[johnsmom]

I'd take it a step further than just switching doctors. I'm not in the US, but there must be some governing body (american academy of pediatrics?) to whom you could report a doctor who is offering advice that is not only ridiculous, but could in fact be dangerous.
You are lucky that you are informed enough to know that her advice is absurd, but there are many parents who take thier doctor's advice as the gospel truth. I wonder how many mothers have already weaned their babies at 4 months because this ped has recommended it? Sickening!

[mysticmomma]

No. You don't count as dairy. You don't make cow's milk. So, maybe the ped was letting you know you weren't a cow?

[SeekingJoy]

Originally Posted by mysticmomma

No. You don't count as dairy. You don't make cow's milk. So, maybe the ped was letting you know you weren't a cow?

I wish. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=993671

[Tine]

Terrible.

If I were in your shoes, I'd switch docs, tell the old doc why I'm switching (in a face-to-face meeting, complete with a written letter for the record), file a complaint with the appropriate medical board.....AND.....ask her which formula company she works for.

Sheesh!

[Lil'M]

I would look for a new ped. Yours is clearly not practicing evidence based medicine and is not up on current AAP recommendations. Here is the AAP statement on breastfeeding:

http://www.breastfeedingtaskforla.org/aap-statement.htm

Note recommendation 10--it is the part that talks about beginning complementary foods at around 6 months and encourages continued bf for at least a year.

[bscal]

Originally Posted by mysticmomma

No. You don't count as dairy. You don't make cow's milk. So, maybe the ped was letting you know you weren't a cow?

LMBO!! There have been so many times I've felt like a cow that it might be nice to hear that you aren't!

As for the OP, I personally love the line that my LLL Leader uses when people tell her that breastmilk has no nutritional value after 6 mos or something similar, she says "Oh, so you mean it just turns into Kool-Aid overnight?" Seriously, I cannot believe your ped is wanting you to introduce solids this early and is encouraging you to wean. I would find a new ped and write a letter of complaint to the AAP.

Beth

[guestmama9920]

Originally Posted by bscal

LMBO!! There have been so many times I've felt like a cow that it might be nice to hear that you aren't!

As for the OP, I personally love the line that my LLL Leader uses when people tell her that breastmilk has no nutritional value after 6 mos or something similar, she says "Oh, so you mean it just turns into Kool-Aid overnight?" Seriously, I cannot believe your ped is wanting you to introduce solids this early and is encouraging you to wean. I would find a new ped and write a letter of complaint to the AAP.

Beth

I'd then say why buy the kool-aid when I can make it for free

[theretohere]

: Sometimes I really can't believe the misinformation!

[Sagesgirl]

I've got to admit, I'd probably have gone off on her. : So, better you than me, maybe. I'd drop her fast, and give her a copy of the AAP's policy statement as I was going out the door.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

Originally Posted by Sagesgirl

I've got to admit, I'd probably have gone off on her. : So, better you than me, maybe. I'd drop her fast, and give her a copy of the AAP's policy statement as I was going out the door.

:

hugs, mama.

[kriket]

why do 'we' wean our children off their own species milk to put them on another species milk? I always knew there was something funny with how much milk kids-these-days drink but I thought it was because I don't do dairy and was being a weirdo.

[honeybunch2k8]

Wow. That sounds like a recipe for breastfeeding issues!!!

[ramama]

Does she recommend that 6m olds wean off of formula too? I would bet not. Yet if formula is supposed to be a substitute for BM (albeit an far from perfect one!) then why can't your LO just have the "real thing."