Do you think some pediatricians feed the fear? - Page 2

[ccohenou]

Originally Posted by mama24-7

Most certainly.

When my dd was born, they didn't tell me when the last time she'd had a BM. I was religiously counting wet/BMs, how long on which side, how long between feedings, how long the feedings were, etc., etc. By the time she was 6 days old, I didn't know how long it'd been since she had a BM. I don't know why now, but I called the peds office, & they had me rush over.

Do you mean that she didn't have any BMs for several days after birth? That's a definite warning sign that a baby isn't getting enough milk. LLL will tell you so. Jack Newman too. There are babies who poop less frequently and are fine - but "normal" in a breastfed baby is several poops a day for the first several weeks. Less can be okay, but it does need to be checked out.

I agree that frequent weight checks are not necessary when breastfeeding is going well and there's a normal output.

[Kate'smommy]

I just have to say that I am so glad I asked my cnm to recommend a ped. I followed her recommendation and found a ped who has an lc on staff, co-slept with her own daughter and had great advice re co-sleeping, asked whether we were going to vac and suggested nursing during or immediately after shots, was completely supportive re extended nursing, and suggested I not give dd anything else until at least 10 months after rice cereal at 6 mths gave her tummy problems. Not all peds are harmful to breastfeeding -- you just have to find the right one.
Now if only I could find a good ped dentist (ours won't let moms even check on the kids during treatment and said ds's cavities were caused by breastfeeding at night and kissing him).

[ambivamom]

My answer to this question is:
YES.

(I just don't understand what their education involves, if not the science of breastfeeding.)

Originally Posted by Kate'smommy

Now if only I could find a good ped dentist (ours won't let moms even check on the kids during treatment and said ds's cavities were caused by breastfeeding at night and kissing him).

I stopped going to my dentist because parents weren't allowed back during treatment. I called every dentist in my network and asked about the policy before I went to a new one.

Also, I went to a family dentist instead. For some reason, I think that family practice docs and dentists seem to me to be more laid-back. Why is this?

[Kate'smommy]

Originally Posted by ambivamom

My answer to this question is:
YES.

(I just don't understand what their education involves, if not the science of breastfeeding.)



I stopped going to my dentist because parents weren't allowed back during treatment. I called every dentist in my network and asked about the policy before I went to a new one.

Also, I went to a family dentist instead. For some reason, I think that family practice docs and dentists seem to me to be more laid-back. Why is this?

Sorry this is off topic but ..
The ped dentists in this area all have the same policy and family dentists do seem much more laid back about how young to check baby teeth and how to handle the visit. We only ended up at a ped dentist because ds had dental problems, from holding food in his mouth for hours and clamping it shut when we tried to brush. I don't know if this is typical for ped dentists, but ours clearly had a huge ego and acted like his work was a huge power trip. He and his staff made it very clear that if I did not like anything they did, I should find a new dentist. He actually asked me in front of ds what risks I was worried about when I did not want ds sedated. I am fortunate that this was my only experience with this type of medical professional. I am so sorry for moms who have a ped doctor like that. We just have to keep being the moms who do our own research and never blindly accept "expert" opinions.

[mama24-7]

Originally Posted by ccohenou

Do you mean that she didn't have any BMs for several days after birth? That's a definite warning sign that a baby isn't getting enough milk. LLL will tell you so. Jack Newman too. There are babies who poop less frequently and are fine - but "normal" in a breastfed baby is several poops a day for the first several weeks. Less can be okay, but it does need to be checked out.

I agree that frequent weight checks are not necessary when breastfeeding is going well and there's a normal output.

Yes, I do mean that from Mon after we left the hospital (I don't know how many she had while in the hospital since while in the nursery, against my wishes, they did not feel the need to inform me of her BMs) - Thurs she did not have a BM. She was wetting frequently however. And, yes, it is good that she was seen, but supplementation is not necessarily the immediate answer to a baby who is not having BMs but is otherwise normal. I don't even remember when in all that that my milk came in! And, since most peds don't seem to know what a "normal" BF'd baby does, they are not the people to be getting this information from. I'm lucky that I didn't end up w/ a nipple confused weaned baby after their advice.

My point: Peds don't often know what is the best way to help a baby while preserving the breastfeeding relationship. They are medical professionals (and for some, I use that term loosely), they are not breastfeeding professionals.

Sus

[MarcyC]

I have another question to pose, here, but I'm going to start a new thread...

[honeybunch2k8]

: offtopic:

Originally Posted by mama24-7

Yes, I do mean that from Mon after we left the hospital (I don't know how many she had while in the hospital since while in the nursery, against my wishes, they did not feel the need to inform me of her BMs) - Thurs she did not have a BM. She was wetting frequently however. And, yes, it is good that she was seen, but supplementation is not necessarily the immediate answer to a baby who is not having BMs but is otherwise normal. I don't even remember when in all that that my milk came in! And, since most peds don't seem to know what a "normal" BF'd baby does, they are not the people to be getting this information from. I'm lucky that I didn't end up w/ a nipple confused weaned baby after their advice.

My point: Peds don't often know what is the best way to help a baby while preserving the breastfeeding relationship. They are medical professionals (and for some, I use that term loosely), they are not breastfeeding professionals.

Sus

You mean they can put babies in nurseries against mom's wishes???

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by bri276

absolutely. and I don't think it's "some", I think it's "most". Breastfed babies are treated like anomalies in many pracitices. As if they need to be watched more closely than their formula fed counterparts.

I would go as far as to say I think pediatricians are the #1 threat to successful breastfeeding for most American women. And my own mother is one of them- I hear about her sabotaging her patients on a regular basis.

That most be really difficult for you to know.

Oh and at 20 months old I STILL get the how much and how often questions about her nursing habits. I have no idea and what's more I don't care! Babies are great self regulators, they when and how much they need. It's just so hard for the formula led world to understand to being able to rattle off how many ounces in any given time frame.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by Kappa

Good googly moogly, every day!!!! I had enough trouble getting my newborn to his first appointment, 2 days after we left the hospital, and I was baffled as to what was the point of going then, but every day? My 2 week appt was pointless too. And ped's offices are so grimy/germy why go there more often than necessary. Daily checks for a baby who wasn't even in the NICU seems like a way to run up a bill, more like there's a deal with the labs, not necessarily the formula company.

I had to laugh at this. : Maggie and the Ferocious Beast?

[MarcyC]

My baby was put in the nursery against my wishes. They claimed it was because I was on mag-sulfate and it was against their policy to leave him in the room with me alone. If DH was there I could have him, but if DH wasn't there he had to be in the nursery. Also, they wouldn't let me nurse.

[phathui5]

We must be lucky. We see our ped for the first time at 2 weeks, then again at 2 months.

[pampered_mom]

I most definitely think they feed the fear - at least that was my experience after ds was born and why I ultimately gave up breastfeeding w/in the first week. I had just had a c/s and they had us in there four times w/in the first week for weight checks - driving 30 mins one way - for something that would have been better served by encouraging me to stay home, cuddle up, and nurse often. Even worse, my (female) ped regaled me with all of her breastfeeding stories each time we went in while at the same time undermining my confidence in my ability to feed my own baby.

[sparklefairy]

Originally Posted by ccohenou

Do you mean that she didn't have any BMs for several days after birth? That's a definite warning sign that a baby isn't getting enough milk. LLL will tell you so. Jack Newman too. There are babies who poop less frequently and are fine - but "normal" in a breastfed baby is several poops a day for the first several weeks. Less can be okay, but it does need to be checked out.

I agree that frequent weight checks are not necessary when breastfeeding is going well and there's a normal output.

I agree. I would be very concerned in this situation. Of course, I would closely evaluate breastfeeding management and observe the baby's behavior and other cues about his or her well-being rather than handing mom a can of formula. There are several small things that might be adjusted. I agree that it is disruptive to leave the house and drive for weighs and it's also less useful to the clinician than seeing mom and baby in their home environment.

[Hippie Mama in MI]

Of course. Scared mommies= more office visits = $$$$$$

Doctors are just people trying to make money. Hopefully LOTS of money, enough for their new Lexus, summer home, boats, etc.

To the medical profession, my child is just another "unit" to be processed to their advantage.

I have never met a doctor I liked or trusted. It's a good thing I never trusted them, too. Because my ped's staff has already given me bad advice on several occasions... and once, they gave me a Tylenol dosage that (if given) would have hospitalized my kid with liver damage. Fortunately I, with my puny two years of college education, caught their error before I gave ds FIVE TIMES as much Tylenol as he should have had for his weight.

Each time I talk with medical personnel, I keep one thing firmly in mind: If he gives me bad advice or makes a mistake, he's not the one who will suffer or die. My son will suffer or die.

[onlygirls]

I am sure that happens in some offices, I guess I was lucky not to experience it. I saw an IBCLC in the ped's office and she said that if I *wanted* to come back for weight checks, they would see me without making an appt, no co-pay.

[mama24-7]

Originally Posted by honeybunch2k8

: offtopic:
You mean they can put babies in nurseries against mom's wishes???

I don't mean they threatened me or ripped her from my arms. They said the first night we were there "she's been nursing for how long? We'll take her to the nursery & hold her off as long as we can. You sleep." I didn't want her gone & I didn't sleep. I wanted her rooming-in no matter how long she nursed for. Unfortunately, I was a first time mom experiencing PTSD, I think, and felt like they knew what they were talking about & I couldn't say no. I don't know what they did to "hold her off," but maybe that was why we had such trouble? Did they give her a pacifier? A bottle? I'll never know.

So, yes, they do this, under the guise of "we know best."

Which is why I will never willingly choose a hospital again to give birth in. They do not have my or my child's best interested in the forefront of their minds & they certainly don't gain more patients by being supportive of breastfeeding.

Sus