You're stupid, doctor!

[LadyGodiva]

I just come back from the free baby consultation office.
Actually, I don't know why they make us come there, since I have DS measured & wheighd by the familydoc, but anyway.... it's free, so I thought it couldn't harm.
DS will be 6 months next month and has been exclusively BF. Next month we'll be offering him solids. I definitely want to continue to BF! The doc had no comment on that.
Then she asked how our boy slept. I was wise enough NOT to mention that we co-sleep (as we all know , co-sleeping children become totally twisted & perverted once they left the family bed... that is if they ever manage to move out of the family bed in the first place!!!), but I did say that DS nurses at night.

Weeeeeell, I got to hear that DS should be nightweaned by the age of 9 months! Otherwise he'll be spoiled. "From 6 months on you have to start to set limits. He doesn't *need* the nightnursings... it's just a comfort thing," she said.
I just smiled and said "yeah sure", but thought
'You twit! With 6+ months he's exploring, and it's my job to keep him safe! And if he needs comfort at night, I comfort him and if with 9 months that's a nursing session, well, I'll let him nurse and if with 9 years it's some reassuring words and a kiss, well that's what I'll do.'

Am I on the right track about not nightweaning him?

I did think about nightweaning (for about a day) and decided it was not nessesary because I really don't mind it. Thanks to our sleeping arrangement , noone fully wakes up and everybody falls alseep right after nursing. And if I want to continue to BF along with the solids, why should I wean him for the night. I want to go on, BFing until......... until either me or DS doesn't feel like it anymore! To my sitaution nightweaning would be counterproductive. KWIM?

That stupid of a doctor!!! Grrrrrrrrrrr

[fourgrtkidos]

You should be proud of extended breastfeeding and your desire to do what is best for your baby!!!!! I wish all mothers would honor their children's need for comfort and closeness. YOU ROCK!

[Ruthla]

That doctor had no business giving out parenting advice disguised as medical advice!!!

If she wants to night-wean her kids by 9mo, fine, she can- that doesn't mean that everybody else has to as well!!

FWIW, my 3yo still sleeps in my bed and nurses at night and it works for us.

[TiredX2]

If she wants to night-wean her kids by 9mo, fine, she can- that doesn't mean that everybody else has to as well!!

EXACTLY!

Just because the majority of children *can* get enough calories during the daylight hours to not *need* to nurse at night does not mean night nursing is harmful, or even more specifically--- that there is anything *better* about being night weaned by a certain time.

Keep on keeping on momma!

[MelKnee]

Originally Posted by LadyGodiva

He doesn't *need* the nightnursings... it's just a comfort thing," she said.

Until people (in general) understand that COMFORT IS A NEED, we will remain a detached and isolated society.

Babies need comfort. Kids need comfort. Adults need comfort.

If my dh (and ds) didn't hug me and let me know I am loved when I am sad and lonely, I can imagine I might become as hard as that doctor. How sad for her.

Keep up the love and nuturing, mama. You know what's best!

[Meiri]

If nightnursing is working for you, why mess with it? He will stop on his own in his own time.

Unlike that doctor, I speak from experience.

[Lula's Mom]

Awesome post, MelKnee.

[Mama2ABCD]

You are doing a great job, and are smart to realize that your Doc is just giving you advice. Crappy advice, but only advice. They (doctors) should just stick to diagnosing medical problems not creating them by giving unwanted and incorrect advice!!

i also agree that Melknee post was on target!

[mamamoo]

I agree!! When my second child was a nb we took her to the ped, and she gave us this flyer that said all babies should be in a crib in thier own room by 4 months!!! I could not believe that, the sad part was, she was pregnant herself.

Most of my nurslings needed to nurse *more* at night because they are so busy exploring/learning during the day. :LOL

[pioneermama]

You go mama! Keep doing what is right for you and your baby!

[atomicmama]

Good for you!!
Poopoo on that doc...

[crunchy_mama]

If it works for your family then don't worry about it. You're the one taking care of your wee one, not her, so it really isn't her concern.
amanda

[callmemama]

Go with your instincts, Mama! My little one nightweaned (on his own) at 2.5 years. We're still co-sleeping at 5, and he's continuing to wean at his own pace (I'm sure your doc would be appalled to hear that too!).

[jeca]

I don't understand comments like that. He is there to check his health not whether or not your spoiling him. Crazy.

[DaryLLL]

Originally Posted by LadyGodiva

I just come back from the free baby consultation office.
Actually, I don't know why they make us come there, since I have DS measured & wheighed by the family doc, but anyway... it's free, so I thought it couldn't harm...

That stupid of a doctor!!! Grrrrrrrrrrr

Who is making you go to this less than ideal free yet stupid baby care center? WIC or something?

Urg.

[MilkOnDemand]

I despise medical professionals who try to push their own sense of right and wrong & parenting ideas as sound medical advice. These are the same doctors who will not hesitate to say that formula is just as good, that co-sleeping is wrong, that vaxing is mandatory and that holding a baby will spoil them.

My son night weaned at 9 months, my daughter at 18 months...it doesn't make any difference, they are both wonderfully attached, confident children.

[mother_sunshine]

Good for you for not listening to her!

: Can you imagine all the mamas who do take her ignorant advice! :

I realized that most doctors don't know what they're talking about when, at dd's 1-yr visit, the doctor said that it was time to wean and "eat real food" .

[mother_sunshine]

Originally Posted by MelKnee

Until people (in general) understand that COMFORT IS A NEED, we will remain a detached and isolated society.

[UrbanPlanter]

Only your baby knows what he needs.
Every baby is different.
Just like every child or adult is different.
If you baby expresses a need to nurse, for whatever reason, at whatever time of day, I say meet that need as best you can!

A doctor is not a nutrionist nor a parenting expert.

As long as your baby is healthy and happy, you need heed no further advice from a pediatrician.

[Ahimsa]

Most of my nurslings needed to nurse *more* at night because they are so busy exploring/learning during the day.

Kai, nurses more at night. He just gets too busy playing during the day. I feel like his night nursings are essential to him. Do what you feel is best.