Family doctor pushing solids

[funfunkyfantastic]

Family doctor is now pushing solids. Just saw DD for her 9 month appt and he said that she needs to have a good "variety" and that she doesn't get that with just breastmilk. He was practically suggesting force feeding... which I will not do. I would really like to do something more along the lines of baby led weaning. I'm not going to shove solids down my DD's throat just cus he says she needs a good "variety". Maybe I should go back to lying and pretend i'm doing everything he says, lol.

[ledzepplon]

Doctors advise. It's just advice. He/she can't come to your house and make you do anything. Just nod and go about your business.

At 9 months my dd had no interest in solids. She's the healthiest one in the family and off the charts for height for her age--so she certainly wasn't malnourished.

Go with your gut.

[boringscreenname]

I just nod politely, smile, and then ignore their advice as soon as I get home. Our pediatrician was chiding us because we started solids at 6 months instead of 4. I simply told her, "We chose to delay solids until 6 months" and that was that.

[sapphire_chan]

If you're doing baby led solids did you tell the doctor about all the foods you've offered?

[marisa724]

We did baby led solids starting at 6 months. DS2 was by no means getting all these foods all day/every day, but when his dr. asked I could tell her that he'd tried apples, pears, sweet potato, bread, cucumber, carrots, peas..... etc. etc.

It kind of sucks, but yeah, sometimes you do have to sort of duck the question when it comes to stuff like this. My dr. always asks, "How's he sleeping?" and I say, "Fine, just as expected!" -- which to me, means "Still up several times at night to nurse, just like a baby his age should be!"

[nannymom]

One of the best peices of advice I ever got when dd was a baby was to remember that Peds. aren't nutritonists. I agree with the poster who said just smile and nod and ignore.

[SandraS]

Your doctor is only there for actual medical advice. He has no business whatsoever giving parenting advice. Ignore it. Completely. And when he asks, say that you have everything under control.

[sparklefairy]

Originally Posted by funfunkyfantastic

Family doctor is now pushing solids. Just saw DD for her 9 month appt and he said that she needs to have a good "variety" and that she doesn't get that with just breastmilk. He was practically suggesting force feeding... which I will not do. I would really like to do something more along the lines of baby led weaning. I'm not going to shove solids down my DD's throat just cus he says she needs a good "variety". Maybe I should go back to lying and pretend i'm doing everything he says, lol.

Human milk has plenty of variety! It's complete nutrition for infants and the composition changes during the course of a feeding and due to what mom eats.

But you knew that already -- too bad the doctor doesn't!

[MittensKittens]

I just don't go to the dr, unless my kids actually need one for some reason. Saves so much hassle .

[akayerich]

Originally Posted by SandraS

Your doctor is only there for actual medical advice. He has no business whatsoever giving parenting advice.

This is the same thing my ped actually told me. I guess I found a good one. He said that if we wanted advice on things like weaning, sleeping, starting sloids,etc, he'd be there to give it. Otherwise, he doesn't live in our house and doesn't really care what we do, as long as he doesn't see any harm to the child.

[Liquesce]

I'd keep in mind that pediatricians do see undernourished children, they do see parents who don't know how or when or what to feed their babies, they do see all manner of FTT cases, feeding tubes, etc, that could realistically have been avoided, etc. They still have your child's best interests in mind -- they're just coming from a perspective of sometimes intimate familiarity with the absolute worst that can happen.

[JessicaS]

My older dd didn't eat solids at all, she was 18 months before she was really interested beyond a few bites.

At 5 1/2 months ds grabbed a wad of angelhair off my plate and shoved it in his mouth. We started giving him small amounts after that.

Babies are pretty good about letting you know what they want and when they want it.

[tanyam926]

I have no problem w/drs being concerned for my kiddos and I am sensitive to the fact that they see more worst case scenarios which can skew their perspective.

What I do have a problem w/is drs who insist that they know better than I do in a condescending and disprespectful to me as the parent way, esp when there is no indication of a problem or I did not ask them for their advice/opinion.

Do what works for you and if that includes smiles and nods, printing out correct info, discussing how you disagree, or whatever else, do what you need to do.

(It is pretty annoying though!

[peainthepod]

"Hmm, I appreciate your perspective. I'll look into it." Then keep doing your thing. Some pediatricians are wonderful, but I've heard too many horror stories about the bad advice they give in regard to nutrition, breastfeeding, cosleeping, vaccines, care of the intact penis, discipline, etc. etc. etc.

Go with your instincts and listen to your baby.

[PaigeC]

Originally Posted by nannymom

One of the best peices of advice I ever got when dd was a baby was to remember that Peds. aren't nutritonists. I agree with the poster who said just smile and nod and ignore.

Honestly MD's get a few hours of nutritional instruction. They are just not equipped to tell you how to feed your baby. They are equipped to tell you he/she is not growing on track (not that this is always correct either). You know your lo better than anyone. Force feeding just traumatizes the child and sets up a very bad relationship with food that could have worse effects down the road.

[1littlebit]

smile and nod .... in one ear and out the other. remember that his BFing experience is very limited. presumably his wife agrees with him whether or not he is correct since i can't imagine someone giving this advice if they didn't follow it with their own kids... and outside of that his exp. is limited to patients he sees for five minutes a month. not exactly the kind of experience needed to be giving advice on the subject. esp. if his patients who disagree do what most of us do.. and then ignore him.

some doctors don't understand that there is a difference between BM and formula, some doctors cannot fathom the idea that every baby is different, some are just a bit clueless when it comes to bfing. etc. i assume your diet is fairly diverse.... thus your baby's diet is diverse as well. there is no need to push solids most of the time. babies will eat when they are ready.

i think offering solids is more then enough ... if she is interested she will eat i see no benefit to forcing her.

[chipper26]

I haven't read the other posts yet but I'd say that she should be exposed to a good variety so she can try lots of things, but you don't really have the control over how much she eats. My dd usually only wants a few bites and that's it and she's 11 mos.

[dziwozony]

DS1 started tasting foods around 8 months & it was not until several weeks after that that he started eating everyday.

DS2 is 5 1/2 months & very keen! i am trying to wait a few more weeks, but he is definitely going to be eating earlier than my first son.

each baby is different. your ped doesn't really know your baby, so don't let him/her guide your nutritional choices.