OMG stupid STUPID S-T-U-P-I-D advise given to me

[octobermom]

Unfortunally we found out the Ped I wanted wasn't under our insurance (or one of them) so we ended up being assigned to another... I kept an open mind though....
Yea well got over that SUPER quick...
So I took my NB in for her first "checkup" at 8 days old the one concern I gave the nurse was the fact she hadn't have a BM in days and was a bit fussy in the evening from the "gas"... I knew there might be some BF issues tossed around so I was braced for that but OMG this was SOOO over the top!
I KID you not the advice..
Doctor walks in doesn't intro himself doesn't say ahh cute baby lets check her out doesn't ask how I am nothing he jsut asks..
Breast or bottle?

Me:.. breast

How often?

Me: as she needs sometimes every hour sometimes every 3 depends and shes does sleep a streatch at night..

How long?

Me... Ohh sometimes 5 mintues sometimes up to 45 or more

HIM.. Well see there is your problem! You should NOT nurse more than every 2 hours (okay that alone is silly but even that is 12 feeding a day its not a "horrible thing to say" but nope it gets better.. Because your breasts won't have enough time to "refill" YUP those were his words they need to fill up again and the baby will jsut get air (cause didn't you know our boobs are filled with air?) that will make her gassy and constipated also NEVER nurse more than 15 mintues per side cause yea then she will jsut suck me dry and again poor baby will just be sucking air and my boobs will get sore So if baby needs to suck more past the limited 15 mintues then give her a pacifer cause babies do have strong sucking needs (that last line about there needs was the ONLY thing he said that was "correct").. I mean SERIOUSLY? AIR filled boobs that need to "refill? Like seriously they gave you a degree??
Needless to say I'm NEVER going back I just nodded and didn't argue because it was pointless I knew instantly I'd NEVER go back... I'm dropping the secondary insurace monday its out state medicare I qualified because of my diabetes and high risk heat condition to have the pregancy covered so the NB is automatically covered for a while but we don't need her to me out income and DH job we can handle a diffrent and better HC plan. I liked the Doctor I saw at the hospital I'm planning on giving him a chance.. When he came to see me he introduced hims self he held my DD (with my permission) and spoke to her he cradled and rocked he asked how I was doing and when he left reminded me I can BF as long and often as she needs and wants...
Deanna

[Bokonon]

Wow. That's deplorable! I would report his "advice" to the head of that office. In fact, I'd consider reporting him to the AAP for giving out misinformation that will likely jeopardize many breastfeeding relationships.

[WindyCityMom]

Who knew that boobs were filled with air!

Sometimes, I really do wonder about some medical professionals, especially when the information given to the mother is completely false and irrational.

Makes me wonder what medical journals he's reading.

[octobermom]

Originally Posted by Bokonon

Wow. That's deplorable! I would report his "advice" to the head of that office. In fact, I'd consider reporting him to the AAP for giving out misinformation that will likely jeopardize many breastfeeding relationships.

After leaving I "googled" him nothing on him popped up but things on the "office in general" and on the other doctor in his practice did and the reviews we horrible so I have a feeling my complaint would fall on deaf ears... I did notice a lot of bottles when we waited...
Reporting him to the AAP is a thought though...

Deanna

[mommy2maya]

regardless of the bad info, it is not a normal thing for a nb to be going days without a bm, and I would get that checked out asap

[ElliesMomma]

Originally Posted by mommy2maya

regardless of the bad info, it is not a normal thing for a nb to be going days without a bm, and I would get that checked out asap

i disagree... if baby is EBF, you should not worry about a few days between BMs. are her BMs *large* BMs when they finally do come?

[mommy2maya]

Originally Posted by ElliesMomma

i disagree... if baby is EBF, you should not worry about a few days between BMs. are her BMs *large* BMs when they finally do come?

This is not the case for newborns:

http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/L...Jan98p123.html
http://www.mother-2-mother.com/norma...ough-milk.html

It is not til several months old that it is normal for bf babies to not have bm every day. Especially in the first few weeks as bf is becoming established, it is important to note several bm daily. I would highly suggest a lc for a nb not having bm for several days.

[Tjej]

ElliesMomma - it is normal for an older BF baby to do a few days, but an 8 day old? NO. That is not normal.

I would look into this.

Also, try to keep track of how often you are nursing, and make sure it is at least every 3 hours during the day (or at least 8 nursings a day). If you have a really sleepy baby you may need to offer/get them to nurse when they are not yet asking for it.

Tjej

[octobermom]

Originally Posted by mommy2maya

regardless of the bad info, it is not a normal thing for a nb to be going days without a bm, and I would get that checked out asap

I'm despertly trying and doing some research.. It is concerning me my DD is currently 12 days old shes had about 48 hours worth of the mectoium diapers then like one trye breastfed type BM then nothing today was day 9 of nothing despite block feeding on demand and her getting a LOT. She gets soo hard in her tummy and you can tell sehs is despertly trying but nothing.. Shes managed two BM today because we "helped" her pass them and they were thick not loose stools you'd expect from breastmilk..
I'm taking her back to the hospital Monday for a "screening" I'll ask them there and hopefully I can get her into a diffrent doctor soon.

Deanna

[octobermom]

Also, try to keep track of how often you are nursing, and make sure it is at least every 3 hours during the day (or at least 8 nursings a day). If you have a really sleepy baby you may need to offer/get them to nurse when they are not yet asking for it.

Tjej

I'd say between her "waking" hours of around 7am till around 12pm she is nursing around 9-12 times on average and her "nights" between 12am and 7am she is nursing around 2-3 times but one of those can be a 4-6 hour streach of solid sleep.. She is producing a ton of wet diapers... She has long periods of being alert. I do offer a feeding if a daytime nap happens to exceed 3 hours shes tends to not let it though. The only exception is her night streatch.

Deanna

[dollysods]

The doctor is misguided. Completely and totally. Switching sides before the baby is "done" gets the baby more foremilk, less hindmilk--- and doing that can make baby more gassy. And the baby is going to just get air? It would be funny if it weren't so frightening how little most doctors know about breastfeeding. We learn literally nothing about it at most medical schools and the one pediatrician-taught lecture we had in my family med residency was completely full of incorrect information (wrong on how long milk can be stored, normal frequency of feeding, etc). You have to seek out information yourself or breastfeed if you want to give helpful advice!

An eight day old generally shouldn't go so long between BM (which obviously you know, which is why you mentioned it to the doctor). Is baby gaining weight appropriately? Is baby making normal number of wet diapers?

It isn't popular to say, but occasionally moms do have legitimate supply issues (way more rarely than most mom's who quit early would like to think) even if they are breastfeeding on demand. And sometimes infants have metabolic/hormonal/or anatomic issues that lead to constipation. I would seek out another doctors advice ASAP in addition to seeing a lactation consultant or LLL leader.

And in the meantime, I'd continue the on-demand feeding...

For some sanity, though, I like the LLL info below:

"The First Six Weeks

Most babies, after the first few days, have two to five bowel movements every 24 hours, until they are about six weeks old. The stools should be as large as a US quarter to "count" in this number. Some babies will have more frequent bowel movements, and it is possible for a healthy baby to have fewer bowel movements. If a baby younger than six weeks has fewer than two bowel movements a day, that can still be a variation of normal provided that the baby has an adequate number of wet diapers, is known to be gaining weight at an adequate rate, and the stools produced are substantial in volume."

[mommy2maya]

Thicker might mean that it is still mec mixed in. How are diapers? Definitely wet? No pink or orange in them?

Honestly I would not be waiting on this. Even if you did some pumping and feeding, or supplementing, that might bring on a bm. When did your milk come in? Are your breasts getting full and hard? And as much of an idiot the dr was, there is some truth in his claim of emptying and refilling. Of course, this is anecdata of nursing 4 babies, but when they wanted to nurse very very freq, like more than once in and hour, I did not get a let down, which no milk flowing.

I would definitely be seeking someone out, today.

[lifeguard]

Wow

If my boobs are filled with air where is the valve so I can deflate them a couple cups?!

[Shelsi]

I WISH my boobs were filled with air! Then they wouldn't be so saggy! LOL.

[Nicci P]

Originally Posted by octobermom

I'm despertly trying and doing some research.. It is concerning me my DD is currently 12 days old shes had about 48 hours worth of the mectoium diapers then like one trye breastfed type BM then nothing today was day 9 of nothing despite block feeding on demand and her getting a LOT. She gets soo hard in her tummy and you can tell sehs is despertly trying but nothing.. Shes managed two BM today because we "helped" her pass them and they were thick not loose stools you'd expect from breastmilk..
I'm taking her back to the hospital Monday for a "screening" I'll ask them there and hopefully I can get her into a diffrent doctor soon.

Deanna

My DS2 pooped when he was 1 and 2 days old, then after that only pooped every sunday til he was 7 months old and started having solids. He now poops every day. His were also very thick, totally unlike DS1 who pooped liquid every couple of hours!!
Dont panic too much because it might be nothing but obviously if it makes you comfortable get it checked out.
xx

[Tjej]

It sounds like baby is feeding relatively frequently. That's good. Do you get at least maybe 10 minutes of active sucking at each feed (since it sounds like 9-10ish feeds a day)? You can see them sort of open, pause, close and hear the swallow when they close.

The time between stools is really concerning to me. I get that babies vary, but 9 days of no poop would be at least 6 days past my comfort before I was in a doctor's office, and I don't go to the doctor very often. BF newborn babies really do usually poop AT LEAST once a day (usually a lot more often). I am sure there are exceptions, but I would wonder if those exceptions still mean there is something gastric going on.

BTW, are you eating, getting rest as much as humanly possible, and taking decent care of yourself (and able to relax while nursing)? These things are really important. Setting up a big cup of water and a snack bar before you sit down to nurse each time can help with all of that.

Tjej

[mamaflutter]

Hi mama first congrats on your new little angel! I am so sorry that dr was like that its unreal. I think all pedis should be required to learn the true facts about nursing! If you are uncomfortable about the poop go with your gut and see another dr.
I found the best thing for gas, I learned this from an old wise woman who used to work with my mom, and it has worked with bouth of mine and several friends. Cradle your baby and in a circular motion rub the small of her back. From right below the diaperline. I don't know what it is if it gets things moving for the lo or its just that relaxing for them but it has been a huge help. Good luck and feed ur baby as much as she wants! Air who knew, where's the valve I'd like to deflate some now!
Candi 26 mom2 mj 9 juje3 and #3 still cookin!

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by Shelsi

I WISH my boobs were filled with air! Then they wouldn't be so saggy! LOL.

Agreed!

I think, if I could hold my laughter in for long enough, I would have told that doc, "How did you get a degree???" Then I'd have walked out without paying ANYTHING and complained to both the office manager AND the insurance company. What a complete.... Wow. That's just beyond. I can't understand how he got into this line of work! This is so out-there for breastfeeding misinformation. My head is spinning.


As for her stomach issues, I would definitely keep seeking help for that. I hope you find an answer soon!

[Mirrormonkey]

Ds1 pooped once every 5 days or so from maybe 5 days old, ds2 poops hourly!

I just smile and nod at the docs and do what is right for us, as long as my kids are healthy and my newbie is gaining I don't worry.

You need to remember, it is harder to get into veteranarian school than medical school! My faith in the medical community has dwindled to almost nothing after two pregnancies.

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

OMG air filled boobs, i'm pretty sure it's only the air filled friends that have those lol
after 15 mins there is still milk and i deffo know from personal experience that you don't have to wait 2 hours for more milk my lo's fed every 30 mins at least during the first few weeks. i could be at a group that lasts 2 hours with both caitlin and caden and feed them at least 4 times in that time and there was deffo milk coming out at each feed.

eta breastfed babies can go as long as a week without pooing so that is normal, as for the gas i found that lieing my lo's across my knees and rubbing their backs helped with gas, just have a burp cloth handy cos they tend to bring up some milk with the gas.