Ped thrust formula at me...

[ZombieMama]

My DD (7 mos) had a Well Baby visit today. Her pediatrician showed concern over her lack of weight gain (8 ounces over the last 2 months, despite having grown 2 inches). DD is now in the 75th percentile for height, and only 25th percentile for weight.

Ped recommended upping her solids to twice a day if she was ready, to try grain cereal if I was comfortable, and to nurse, nurse nurse!

Then I mentioned I was 8 weeks pregnant, and she said "Oh, this is only going to get worse, I'll get you some formula samples."

She brought in 3 cans of formula, and said she wants to see DD in a month to check her weight, and if there's no progress, we'll talk about "more aggressive approaches."

I know my milk supply is dwindling, and a lot of it has to do with my severe morning sickness. (Vomiting 3-6 times a day, lost 12 pounds so far.) I guess I am just taken aback that the ped would thrust formula at me instead of suggest ways to up my supply. I have my first midwife appt on the 19th, and I plan to go over what supplements I can take- assuming they stay down- to increase my milk.

I'm just worried the weight gain will be too slow for my ped's liking and she'll try to get us on formula full time. Of course I know I can refuse, but it just seems like a stressful situation.

I guess I'm not looking for advice so much as support, although if you have any advice, I would appreciate it.

Thanks for letting me vent!

[Rani]

i would simply leave them on the counter and decline. I would also cancel that next appt if babe is healthy and if she asks, say that its a bad day, need to reschedule.  Talk to you midwife and call local b-feeding groups. Im sure they will have constructive suggestions for you.

[ZombieMama]

We wound up taking the formula. Or rather, my SO stuffed the cans in our diaper bag to placate her. We plan to drop them off at our local shelter.

I'm just so disappointed because it took us a long time to find her, and we both thought she was pretty on board with our parenting style. Booo. :(

[Marissamom]

I hate to say it, but chances are that no matter what you do your supply will dwindle (pregnancy hormones override breastfeeding hormones, and pregnancy hormones suppress milk production) and you'll need to supplement with formula or donor milk. I wouldn't judge when to supplement based on weight gain alone, but I vote for planning on having an alternative to your milk on hand. if your baby was over a year, then they would be able to get most/all of their nutrition from solids, but for such a young baby they won't be able to get as much nutrition from solids because they can't digest the solids as well yet. 

[PatioGardener]

I'm sorry that your ped offered your formula samples (talk about a WHO Code violation!), and I encourage you to approach her at some point when you feel comfortable to inform her how detrimental this can be to breastfeeding.

I do agree with Marissamom that your baby may need a supplement to your milk as many mothers lose their milk with the hormone changes of pregnancy. This would be a good time to source out safe donor milk if you are interested.

[ZombieMama]

Thank you.

I'm going to talk to my midwife (who is also a LC) and see if she can point me in the direction of donor milk.

I think I may go the SNS route (with donor milk if I can get it, with formula if not). We had a horrible night last night, DD nursed constantly, fussed all night, and this morning her diaper was barely wet. :/

[Ammaarah]

I understand feeling uncomfortable with the ped bringing you formula samples before asking for your express consent, but I agree with the others that it sounds like you might need to supplement your baby, and that is fine.  I think if you like the ped otherwise, this isn't a reason to fire her.  Hang in there and your babies will both be fine! 

[PatioGardener]

Hi ZombieMama,

I "liked" your post and then realized that I didn't mean to like the fact that your milk is drying up! What I did like is that you are thinking the SNS route with donor milk. I hope your midwife can point you in the right direction. If not, HMHB may have a branch in your area.

Originally Posted by ZombieMama 

Thank you.

I'm going to talk to my midwife (who is also a LC) and see if she can point me in the direction of donor milk.

I think I may go the SNS route (with donor milk if I can get it, with formula if not). We had a horrible night last night, DD nursed constantly, fussed all night, and this morning her diaper was barely wet. :/

[ZombieMama]

Omgosh, thank you. I was unaware the HM4HB had such an active branch in my area.

I think what was most off-putting about the formula being brought in was that we weren't really given a chance to fully explore or understand our options before the pediatrician just said "She needs formula."

I'm not fully against formula, I understand that it has its uses. I was just worried about her giving up nursing entirely. I had planned on DD nursing still by the time the new baby comes, and I was afraid if I started feeding her bottles that she would forget how to nurse.

My SO and I have already decided we want to buy an SNS, and now that I see that donor milk seems easy to come by in my area, I'm talking to him about that (he has his reservations, but is not completely closed off to the idea).

So thank you again. What started out as just a rant has turned into a wealth of knowledge and options for us.