Devastated to Wean my Tiny 2 year old - Page 3

[sarahdavida]

Originally Posted by HSaunders 

Happy New Year!

Finally getting around to checking in here!

We were successful in getting Lilly to gain a little weight between the well child visit and the weight check, so the doctor is satisfied that she is healthy, just needs a little encouragement to keep her appetite up. We are going to continue to monitor her weight and check in again in a month. I am still nursing her in the mornings and if we have a crisis in need of comforting. 

Thank you all for encouraging me in my decision to continue nursing. Someone posted that sometimes it helps to hear you are doing the right thing... You all have given that to me! 

As I prepare for the new baby to arrive in a few weeks, I am looking for a pediatrician who is a little closer to home. (We moved since Lilly was an infant)  I will definitely be asking about their position on breastfeeding! 

Congratulations and good for you for sticking to what you felt was right.  So many have already posted grea advice and info. here, but I just wanted to add as an FYI that I nursed my son, pretty much, exculsively until the age of 14 mo. or so (I tried solids starting at around 10 mo. but he really just wasn´t interested).  And beyond that, up until he was around 2, 2 1/2 yrs. old, he continued to nurse a TON and didn´t eat a whole lot of solids.  His teeth were also slow to come in, so he didn´t really start "eating" eating until his final molars came in when he was around 3 yrs. old.  I would worry from time to time, but the bottom line is, he NEVER had  weight gain or developmental issues as a result of not eating enough solids and nursing too much.  Now, I understand every child is different in so many ways, but the point I´m trying to make is that a child nursing and not eating a whole lot of solids should not be solely to blame for slow weight gain.  And if a child is getting sick, the LAST thing you should do is wean the child.  Like so many others have said, if there is an actual problem, try to find out what it is instead of blaming nursing - it is so ignorant and infuriating.

Through a couple long bouts with diarrhea when my son totally lost his appetites for solids, I nursed him right on through (he refused pedialite) and he kept on playing and being happy and never got dehydrated.  He also had a very bad viral infection at the age of 2 1/2 and stopped eating solids completely for 5 whole days, but he nursed and nursed and nursed and, once again, never became dehydrated and recovered just fine.  I am so thankful I continued to nurse him as long as I did (to 3 yrs. 7 1/2 mo. - I never could have imagined we´d get that far) and I was also told to stop nursing from time to time - for varying reasons from various people, including uninformed medical professionals, starting as early as 1 1/2 months!

Good luck with everything - particularly finding a new pediatrician that meets your needs.

[jillmamma]

Just wanted to add my experience FWIW.  I nursed my oldest all throughout my pregnancy with my second (he just turned 2 when I became pg again), and while he did not lose weight, it definitely was slower in the gain department while I was pg.  HOWEVER, once I gave birth and was tandem nursing, he was so excited to have milk again that he nursed a lot (and took in less solds), and actually gained like 5 lb in 2-3 months because of all the milk!  So, you may see a pretty good jump in weight gain when tandem nursing.

[lexibella]

I had my son's dr tell me the same thing.  However,  when I went to another pediation I was told my son was fine.  I just needed to try to get more caleries in somehow.  I tried to incorperate peidasure into his meal time as a supplement.  I refuse to stop nursing.  I know for sure that pediasure is not nearly as health for my child as breastmilk is.  My son is very healthy and above in all milestones for his age.  I would stick to my mother instinct and keep breastfeeding.   Good luck.

[AnaB]

I am sort of in the same boat and share your concern. My daughter will be 2 in three weeks, hence her doctor's appointment is soon. She has always been at or below 25 percentile (currently 22 pounds). I am still breastfeeding before and after nap time and bed time. We're lucky to have a holistic pediatrician though, she's for breastfeeding although not completely supportive of extended breastfeeding. My husband is sort of in-between, he supports me but still thinks she would be better off weaned. He understands the immune system value, we call it her 'vitamins'. 

I have never been very concerned about her being 'underweight' by American standards though, because if she was put on a similar chart in the country where my husband and I come from and our ancestors are from (Russia), she would be at or above 50 percentile. I think it is all in perspective. There are so many obese children in the states that they tip the scales a bit for everyone else. My husband and I would both be considered underweight here in US, but perfectly average in Russia. 

I think checking for lead is not a bad idea, we might do that since we live in a pretty old home as well. But I would never take away breastfeeding completely in an attempt to make her gain more weight, limiting it is not a bad idea though. I also try to feed her good fats such as avocados and flax oil (in porridge). Pediasure is not a solution in my opinion. Synthetic, chemical, potion to substitute wholesome mother's milk... I think your doctor has little common sense. 

I'm looking forward to seeing how your appointment goes!

[PatioGardener]

OP, how are things?

[HSaunders]

Great, thanks for asking! We are meeting with a new pediatrician next week for a second opinion... She is also a lactation consultant. Expecting better advice. New baby due in 3+ weeks! Lilly is eating (and nursing) very well. We won't know if she is actually gaining weight until the appointment. 

[Toposlonoshlep]

DO NOT WEAN HER!!! Breastfed children are smaller in general. Genetics play a huge role. If milestones are being met, she is eating a variety of healthy food, she is active, and lead and heart issues have been ruled out, go with what feels right!!! Also, what is her height like? If she is ok for height and just skinny, she is growing fine.  My DS fell off the chart (yes, even the WHO chart) and the pediatrician gave me the same bum advice. Here is my original post about it with some great advice. People were really helpful and I didn't wean him. Instead, I started offering more good fats (olive oil, avocado, coconut milk, etc) and he is back on the curve (still a small kid, though). PM me if you want to know more about our journey. But breast feeding is the best thing you can do for her. Don't doubt yourself!!!

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1282872/my-20-month-old-weighs-20lbs-and-ped-yelled-at-me-to-wean-please-help/40#post_16092970