I can't believe this!

[Amylcd]

My friend recently had a baby (un-necessary induction at 38 weeks because this baby was going to be "huge"). The baby weighed 6 lbs 9 oz at birth. My friend was breastfeeding (although her milk hadn't fully come in yet). When the peditrician did the babies sign-out checkup, he had lost 4 oz (in 3 days)and they blamed it on the breastfeeding. A DOCTOR told this new mom that her milk wasen't going to come in, and that she was harming her child if she continued to breastfeed : . She promptly received a ready-to-go bottle and coupons for formula. Well, here they are a week later with a mom who has engorged breasts, and a baby who won't take her nipple.

I've suggested she contact a LLL leader, pump, and find a new doctor asap. She is so depressed form this situation, and paranoid to take her baby to his checkup now. (i would be too)

[jakesmama]

Aarrgh! I just hate hearing about stuff like this! Every baby loses a little bit of weight in the beginning. I really hope your friend can persevere. I wish them a happy nursing relationship despite "poor advice" (sabotage) from her doctor. Is she going to find a new ped? Something about the Baby-friendly Hospitals Initiative comes to mind....

I wonder whose lining that doc's pockets. Do I sound paranoid?

I work with a population of new mothers and I deal with having to counter dr.s' advice all the time.
Good luck to them, offer your support and knowledge and that's all we can do.

[Sarah]

How about she report that doctor to the state medical board?

[sweetpeasmom]

Oh my gosh thats just horrible
what the heck is wrong with these doctors

[gentlebirthmothr]

Amy,

WOW can't believe what happen to your friend. I feel sorry for her and her child. Is this her 1st? Hope she tells the hospital, state medical board, and found a new peditrician for her and her child, this time I will look a female if I was her, I don't know why, but I feel thats the best for her and her child.

Keep us update on her situation.

Thank you.

[DreamsInDigital]

Doctors have no training whatsoever in human lactation. I would never trust a doctor for breastfeeding advice. I'd rather ask my friggin cat.

[stockingup99]

Good choice. Your cat definately knows more about human lactation the any doc I have met. Even a Tom cat knows more than the doc's I've seen.

I have a well baby one year check up I am dreading. I'd bet 100-1 that they mention weaning or cow's milk. What remark shall I use when they ask the first question: What kind of Formula are you using? Shall I just say none and watch the nurse turn purple? Shall I say BestMilk? Shall I remind them that some lucky babies get no formula? Or shall I say that my cat (male) knows more about lactation than this whole office?

Sue

[phathui5]

Is there a LC at the hospital she delivered at? She could call her. Also, I could be wrong, but I think that some LLL leaders will do home visits for moms (especially in her situation, having just had the baby).

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by stockingup99

Good choice. Your cat definately knows more about human lactation the any doc I have met. Even a Tom cat knows more than the doc's I've seen.

I have a well baby one year check up I am dreading. I'd bet 100-1 that they mention weaning or cow's milk. What remark shall I use when they ask the first question: What kind of Formula are you using? Shall I just say none and watch the nurse turn purple? Shall I say BestMilk? Shall I remind them that some lucky babies get no formula? Or shall I say that my cat (male) knows more about lactation than this whole office?

Sue

I used to say "none" or "he's nursing." At subsequent checkups, when the dr asked about whole milk, I'd say "yes" and simply not specify that it's whole HUMAN milk he's drinking

[chasmyn]

It's good that your friend has you to help her get educated on this. Keep supporting her and letting her know that she CAN breastfeed. Heck, women can MAKE themselves lactate without getting pregnant, she can still BF. It's only been a week, it CAN work!

I'm just glad for her that she has you to support her.

[JamesMama]

How sad...did your friend deliver at my hospital she is very lucky to have a friend like you

[orangebird]

[lilsishomemade]

Ugggh, stories like this upset me so much!!! I guess I've never actually been to a hospital like this. And, the only doc I've ever gotten bf advice from was from the FP I was seeing in my first pregnancy, who had LLL posters all over her exame rooms, and had an LLL leader call and invite me to meetings. She also reccomended which hosp I go to, as they had a huge bf initiative there. My family doc, just tells me he feels bf is healthier all the way around, and if I'm having probs, he will give me a referral to an LC. No advice, he readily admits he doesn't know it all (though he's older, more relaxed, and his wife bf their children).

I would suggest she definitely do the things you've suggested, along with file a complaint with the hospital and the medical board. The advice he gave was very wrong, and there is a lot of information backing that up, along with info on just why that kind of "advice" is detrimental.

[Mamapits]

Originally Posted by lilsishomemade

Ugggh, stories like this upset me so much!!! I guess I've never actually been to a hospital like this. And, the only doc I've ever gotten bf advice from was from the FP I was seeing in my first pregnancy, who had LLL posters all over her exame rooms, and had an LLL leader call and invite me to meetings. She also reccomended which hosp I go to, as they had a huge bf initiative there. My family doc, just tells me he feels bf is healthier all the way around, and if I'm having probs, he will give me a referral to an LC. No advice, he readily admits he doesn't know it all (though he's older, more relaxed, and his wife bf their children).

Wow! How so very awesome!! What planet do you live on. I might consider relocating. Thank you for sharing that. It is a good vision for me to hold. Maybe one day that will be the norm all over.

What can we do to get the medical community on baord w/ breastfeeding. Who can we pressure to make it mandetory for them by law to get proper education about BFing? Iam sure someone has already thought of this. Does anyone know if there is an initiative like this?

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Mamapits

What can we do to get the medical community on baord w/ breastfeeding. Who can we pressure to make it mandetory for them by law to get proper education about BFing? Iam sure someone has already thought of this. Does anyone know if there is an initiative like this?

I don't know, but it would be great, wouldn't it? We are going baby friendly at my hospital. I am on the committee. We are at the stage now starting to educate staff. Everyone has to go through the education except the doctors. and they, IMO, are the ones who need the education the most. Crazy.

[wannabe]

A friend of mine is a med student. When they were doing their 'breast' component the ABA (LLL equivalent) came and gave a presentation to them.

I'm dying now to quiz her and find out how good the info was.

[Storm Bride]

4 oz. in three days, and they told her to use formula????

My dd lost just over a pound in three days - and nobody said anything except "just make sure you feed her frequently - offer the breast if she seems to be going too long (more than 3 hours) without eating - this isn't unusual, particularly in large babies - call us if you have any questions, and here are phone numbers and contact info for LLL - and we have a b/f clinic second Tuesday of each month".

My hospital sucks for postpartum care - but they are heavily pro-breastfeeding.

[BCmamaof6]

What an idiot!!! Some doctors are so stupid!
Definately call LLL

[lilsishomemade]

Originally Posted by mara

I don't know, but it would be great, wouldn't it? We are going baby friendly at my hospital. I am on the committee. We are at the stage now starting to educate staff. Everyone has to go through the education except the doctors. and they, IMO, are the ones who need the education the most. Crazy.

Of course, dr's don't need to go, they're way too important and only get their education from other, older doctors, to ensure the circle continues Sorry, but while I was still working as a nurse, my faith in many dr's declined rapidly.