Do you think your baby's pediatrician actually supports breastfeeding?

Question

Or do they just *say* they do because it's the *right* thing to say? I took my daughter for her 4 month well-baby appt this morning and they had all the parents sit in a class on development at 4 months. They gave the obligatory 90-second "breast is best" speech, then continued on with "bottle this, bottle that" the rest of the time. When the (male) nurse was getting a history on my baby, he INSISTED on me giving him a number of ounces that she consumes a day. I finally told him to make something up because I don't know, and he got rude. They have signs up about breastfeeding everywhere, but they don't seem to support it in their actions. Is this common? I can't really change doctors because we use military healthcare, I'm just wondering if I'm the only one who has noticed this...

Answer 1

I had to switch doctors because I didn't feel that I was being supported enough in breastfeeding. I would try and bring up problems that I had and her first solution was to give her formula. I think that many new moms are told to breastfeed and then given the impression that formula feeding is the way to go. Another thing that upset me was how in the hospital even though I made it known I was going to breastfeed, they gave me tons of formula and bottles and coupons. There was not one single thing in there about breastfeeding information. Why aren't women given things they may need for breastfeeding, like nursing pads, cream for nipples, or just a really good book about what to do when you have problems. I know that the formula companies have something to do with all the free stuff you get, but still...
I don't know what you could do about your doctor besides file a complaint with someone above them. That nurse that you had to deal with would have upset me too. I would have asked him if he has had any medical training at all. How does he expect you to know how many oz are coming out of your breasts? It is a common fact that your baby can get out more milk than a pump can, so even if you pumped it would still not be a reliable indicator of what your baby is getting. I feel for you.

Answer 2

I KNOW exactly how you feel. My ped was half-heartedly supportive when I informed her that I was exclusively breastfeeding. It was a mono-tone spill of "well it is considered ideal to breastfeed" but I could so tell that she was irratated, for some reason! 90% of communication is non-verbal. If you are getting the vibe that they don't really support it, then you are probably right on! At the next appointment (4 mo) she was even more obviously bothered by it. She started giving me perscriptions for vitamens that "aren't available in breastmilk" and said, "well you really should have started her on solids, she sounds hungry to be eating so often" . . . UGG!

I didn't feel like having to deal with the Breast scrutiny any longer so at the next appointment I lied and said that I was supplementing with formula. What a face of relief I saw! You wouldn't beleive it!

Now that I look back on it, I realize that she had probably formula fed her children, and my not doing this was deep down causing her some distress on a personal level. Most parents refuse to think any decision they make is anything but the BEST one, so they criticize any who do differently. They may be "medical professionals" but they are still people (subject to the same societal pressures and influences as the rest of us). I will NEVER forget the nurse who came in *an HOUR* after I gave birth and told me my daughter was just nursing for comfort now and I should stop! AN HOUR AFTER SHE WAS BORN! Sometimes you just have to even take their professional advice with a grain of salt!

YES . . . I for one, definitely noticed this, too!

Answer 3

Yes I have had 3 pediatricians and all have supported breastfeeding and not doing circumcisions. They not only advise that breastfeeding is a great thing to atleast try but they also have given recommendations on nursing postions as well as pumps and asked questions to make sure everything was going ok with nursing and breastfeeding. The first one also gave me the number of a local lactation consultant for more help.

Answer 4

Our doctor completely supports our decision. My daughter is 10 1/2 months and refuses to drink formula (don't blame her, the stuff smells awful!). We give her expressed milk while I am at work and I nurse her through the night. There isn't a definate way to tell how much she is getting, but as long as she has soggy diapers, we figure she is hydrated enough.

I'm sorry that you have to go through this type of an experience, is there another doctor in the office with a different nurse? Maybe there is a way to file a complaint with someone higher up in the office/military regarding their employees and practices. One thing to remember, you only have to deal with them every few months for the first year. Sometimes, I have to tell myself, it's not worth the stress of getting worked up over someone else having a bad day and taking it out on me.

Answer 5

That is the problem with men they don't understand as much if there was a way that you could pump into a bottle and have the baby do it that way then you could get a better idea of how much your little cuty is eating. Congrats and hang in there men can be a pain.

Answer 6

Mine was not like that, they we all about me breast feeding but were understanding and non-judgemental when I didnt continue it. They even set me up with a lactation nurse and other things.

Answer 7

Unfortunately that is how it is most places EVEN at the WIC office. I was lucky in that my sons pediatrician breastfed all of hers so DOES support me in even extended nursing.

Answer 8

My doctor was, I decided to formula feed and she never quit harping at me about breastfeeding.

Answer 9

my sons dr did not, but i ignored him. I nursed until he was 22 mohts and never regretted it.

Answer 10

yes, of course. my ped is all about bfing and was a little mad at me when i couldn't do it anymore.