I'm disgusted with my doctor.

[a(TM)?Star]

I just saw my Family Care Practitioner for a health issue I am having. He had to prescribe me an antibiotic, so naturally I asked if it was safe because I'm nursing.

He looked it up, said okay, then asked me how old the baby was. I replied with her age (16 months) and he said "WHAT?" "WHY?", in that snotty *ew* tone. I was shocked. I replied by telling him that he should be more up to date with the AAP recommendations, and I explained to him that it is what's best for her, and left. He could tell I was pissed, I'm sure.

WTF is it any of his business what age dd is in the first place? I'm so bothered, I'm considering writing him a letter. He's not the usual doctor I see, but it is Sunday, so I took what I can get.

Help me put together a letter.: Help me educate yet another HCP.

[Mama Mko]

I don't have any help for putting together a letter. I'd be extremely mad, too, so good luck with that.

The reason he asked her age is probably this: From Dr Sear's website: "More caution is called for when giving medication to a mother who is breastfeeding a premature or newborn infant ten times a day than when prescribing medication for a woman breastfeeding a one-year-old four times a day. An infant that feeds more frequently naturally gets more of the medicine, and the smaller size of the younger infant means the drug will be more concentrated in the baby's body. Also, the liver and the kidneys of older infants are better able to metabolize and eliminate the drug."

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t028500.asp

[1littlebit]

i'm disgusted with your doctor too!! its not like you said she was 16 yrs old for cripes sake. the who recommends At least 24 months... what part of at least is so hard for some people to comprehend?

[Claire and Boys]

I had a nurse ask me the same question once...I think ds was about the same age. She proceeded to ask how exactly I DID that? "Doesn't he have teeth and anything?" Then said I was an Earth Mother.

[1littlebit]

Originally Posted by Claire and Boys

I had a nurse ask me the same question once...I think ds was about the same age. She proceeded to ask how exactly I DID that? "Doesn't he have teeth and anything?" Then said I was an Earth Mother.

my family calls me and earth mother all the time.. i always wondered what the heck they meant. lol

[Claire and Boys]

I get it a lot as well, I take it as a compliment

[evlu]

Family practice, huh? I would send him a copy of the policy statement and position paper from the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Policy Statement:
"Breastfeeding is the physiological norm for both mothers and their children. Breastmilk offers medical and psychological benefits not available from human milk substitutes. The AAFP recommends that all babies, with rare exceptions, be breastfed and/or receive expressed human milk exclusively for the first six months of life. Breastfeeding should continue with the addition of complementary foods throughout the second half of the first year. Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired. Family physicians should have the knowledge to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. (1989) (2007)" http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/p...ingpolicy.html

The position paper can be found here: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/p...tionpaper.html
You could highlight this part:

"NURSING BEYOND INFANCY
As recommended by the WHO, breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is not the cultural norm in the United States and requires ongoing support and encouragement.69 It has been estimated that a natural weaning age for humans is between two and seven years.70 Family physicians should be knowledgeable regarding the ongoing benefits to the child of extended breastfeeding, including continued immune protection,71 better social adjustment,72 and having a sustainable food source in times of emergency. The longer women breastfeed, the greater the decrease in their risk of breast cancer.73 Mothers who have immigrated from cultures in which breastfeeding beyond infancy is routine should be encouraged to continue this tradition. There is no evidence that extended breastfeeding is harmful to mother or child. Breastfeeding during a subsequent pregnancy is not unusual. If the pregnancy is normal and the mother is healthy, breastfeeding during pregnancy is the woman's personal decision. If the child is younger than two years, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned. Breastfeeding the nursing child after delivery of the next child (tandem nursing) may help provide a smooth transition psychologically for the older child.19"

[Swan3]

Originally Posted by ~Calla~

He looked it up, said okay, then asked me how old the baby was. I replied with her age (16 months) and he said "WHAT?" "WHY?", in that snotty *ew* tone. I was shocked. I replied by telling him that he should be more up to date with the AAP recommendations, and I explained to him that it is what's best for her, and left. He could tell I was pissed, I'm sure.

Wow mama, good response from you! Glad you were able to immediately set him straight. Definitely write a letter, including the recommendations and your disappointment at this attitude from a healthcare professional.

[Arwyn]

IIRC, the AAFP recs 2 years minimum...

[rmzbm]

Definately write that letter, good luck!

[Ruthla]

Yes, the dr definitely needed to ask the baby's age- that was an appropriate question. But the "yuck, eww!" response was NOT professional!

[momma2libby]

That was unprofessional of him. As a doctor, he should know the benefits of breastfeeding a child of any age.

[a(TM)?Star]

I think that I'll just keep it factual, not too opinionated. Off to work on it, thanks for all of your responses.