BFing is that uncommon?

elvinnoe · January 2013

DD had her 2 month checkup today and her pediatrician asked me what kind of formula she's on. Just automatically assumed I was feeding her formula. I told her I was feeding her breast milk and she looked surprised and said, oh, that's all? Ummm yeah? She seemed pleasantly surprised and said to keep doing it, but I didn't expect for her to be surprised in the first place.

The last time I was there (Ivy's 5 day checkup) I had an ugly cry over BFing problems and she tried giving me a whole case of formula. When I turned it down, she gave me a prescription for nipple cream that helped a ton, but couldn't she have started with that?

Is BFing really that rare or does DD have a weird doctor?

happywife2b · January 2013

If pedi is giving you formula (trying to, anyway) then she is being provided with formula by the company that makes the formula, under the agreement that she give it out to her patients. She has a vested interest in you using formula. Most people don't realize that doctors are also marketers and advertisers, in adition to being healthcare professionals. With a background in advertising and marketing myself, I recommend you just set a firm but friendly boundary with her, asking her not to do that anymore.

dee12807 · January 2013

Our pedi is a LC, so I just thought that why she is so pro-breast. However, when I had issues BFing FS, she was very supportive and helpful with how to balance forms and pumped milk. I think doctors walk a thin line of being pro-breast and being 'pushy', but it does sound like your pedi was a bit more on the just use formula side.

BelhurstBride · January 2013

My pedi is very pro BFing but I once saw a nurse practitioner at the practice who told me it was time to quit BFing and introduce formula. I've never been back to her.

Drs receive very little, if any, training on BFing. I think some turn to formula because it just seems easier.

CLLDLL · January 2013

BelhurstBride:

My pedi is very pro BFing but I once saw a nurse practitioner at the practice who told me it was time to quit BFing and introduce formula. I've never been back to her.

Drs receive very little, if any, training on BFing. I think some turn to formula because it just seems easier.

I agree with the bolded. We have an awesome pedi whom I trust completely with the lives of both my LOs, but when it comes to BF'ing I take what she says with a grain of salt. Then I got consult kellymom, my LC, or the BF board on TB. I think in this case you just have to become your child's best advocate by educating yourself and knowing who to trust for good information.

LittleLocks · January 2013

It IS that uncommon! A lot of new moms just don't bother trying to BF these days or they give up for a good (or selfish sometimes.. ) reason. For others it just doesn't work out! ALL of these babies end up on formula!!
I tried my hardest to make it work but finally just had to give up due to low supply. I tried everything! Pumping that seemed endless, foods, I was on a perscription.. etc. Nothing worked!!
Also, most Dr's receive NO training in BFing so aside from their own experiance, they know nothing. They do know that baby needs to eat!! So formula it is! That's why it's just assumed sometimes.

I have 2 Dr's. Shared practice. One is very pro breastfeeding and I loved that until I COULDN'T and then she made me feel horrible!!

(I'm sure she didn't mean to.. she just really pushed the importance and tried hard to help it happen for me but it just didn't...)
The other, she accepted that my supply was just almost non existant and we moved on because it doesn't matter HOW your baby gets fed.. as long as they eat and grow big and strong! The important thing is that your LO is healthy. They shouldn't push formula on you! If BFing is working for you.. you're lucky!!! (and I'm jealous.. lol)

tokenhoser · January 2013

I'd say both. Probably in your area, breastfeeding at 2 months is uncommon. I'd say you also have an unsupportive doctor, which is too bad. Personally, it's something I'd switch over.

Kdoy705 · January 2013

Hello! Here is a link to the CDC report card on breastfeeding rates - it is interesting to see how different states stack up in terms of BF'ing and what % of the state's population breastfeed and for how long.

https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2012BreastfeedingReportCard.pdf

greeneyed_bride · January 2013

I think a lot of it depends on where you live and where most of her patients come from. The hospital where I delivered is in the inner city, and their breastfeeding rates are REALLY low. They have two full time lactation consultants and are committed to increasing their breastfeeding rates, but they're still low. Posted outside the LC's door were the hospital's breastfeeding rates at birth and upon leaving the hospital, and for some months, the percentage of moms breastfeeding when they left the hospital was in the single digits. If your doctor sees a similar patient demographic, she might just be working on the assumption that you're formula feeding because that's what most of her patients do.

PaMommy02 · January 2013

I dont thinks it really that uncommon at the newborn stage, but I get a lot of surprised looks when people find out Im still breastfeeding my 6 months old. Everyone is really happy and supportive! I think people are just surprised I stuck it out, because BF is hard for many women and I know alot of women who give up early. I think people give up really quick now too because formua is so easy!

My mom, MIL and older ladies I have taked to all nursed until 1 year of age, just because back then that was the norm, most people did nurse. I think BF is definitly making a come back though, which is great!

ashie0610 · January 2013

PaMommy02:
I dont thinks it really that uncommon at the newborn stage, but I get a lot of surprised looks when people find out Im still breastfeeding my 6 months old. Everyone is really happy and supportive! I think people are just surprised I stuck it out, because BF is hard for many women and I know alot of women who give up early. I think people give up really quick now too because formua is so easy!
My mom, MIL and older ladies I have taked to all nursed until 1 year of age, just because back then that was the norm, most people did nurse. I think BF is definitly making a come back though, which is great!

Yes, this. We go to a multi-doctor practice and in the beginning they would ask if we are still breastfeeding, but now they always ask how much formula he's getting and I need to remind them we are still EBF. By our 6 month check-up I had gone back to work and the doctor said "You moms that can continue breastfeeding without supplementing after going back to work amaze me." I really think people just give up after a while.. and I can't say I blame those that do because I've definitely had my moments, but I am glad we stuck with it.

ashie0610 · January 2013

Kdoy705:
Hello! Here is a link to the CDC report card on breastfeeding rates - it is interesting to see how different states stack up in terms of BF'ing and what % of the state's population breastfeed and for how long.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2012BreastfeedingReportCard.pdf

Great link - thanks for sharing!

pumpkinwife07 · January 2013

"It IS that uncommon! A lot of new moms just don't bother trying to BF these days or they give up for a good (or selfish sometimes.. ) reason. For others it just doesn't work out! ALL of these babies end up on formula!!"

Judgemental much! Who are you to call a mom selfish for any reason. It's called making a choice that best fits your family. You've been a mom for two seconds. Sit back and relax. You have a long ride ahead of you.

ABeautifulMind · January 2013

PaMommy02:
I dont thinks it really that uncommon at the newborn stage, but I get a lot of surprised looks when people find out Im still breastfeeding my 6 months old. Everyone is really happy and supportive! I think people are just surprised I stuck it out, because BF is hard for many women and I know alot of women who give up early. I think people give up really quick now too because formua is so easy!
My mom, MIL and older ladies I have taked to all nursed until 1 year of age, just because back then that was the norm, most people did nurse. I think BF is definitly making a come back though, which is great!

THIS.

I would NOT say it is uncommon at two months.

My pedi BF her LOs till one year. I plan to do at least that. She was not surprised at all at 9 months that I EBF with solids, no formula. However I find lots of my co-workers switched to formula MUCH earlier on and some seem surprised when I'm washing my pump parts in our break room everyday, twice a day . . .

ETA: grammar

jess9802 · January 2013

Kdoy705:
Hello! Here is a link to the CDC report card on breastfeeding rates - it is interesting to see how different states stack up in terms of BF'ing and what % of the state's population breastfeed and for how long.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2012BreastfeedingReportCard.pdf

That chart is great. I live in Oregon and clearly we rock! :-)

cltk12 · January 2013

Our pedi is also an LC and is super supportive of bf. She's never once mentioned formula and we had latch issues in the beginning. I noticed at DC when I drop off DS's milk in the fridge that only him and 1 other baby are BF out of 18 babies in the room. I was very surprised by this.

mexicolombiana · January 2013

I think it depends on your Pedi. My Ped is great and has never said anything about formula. DD#2 is a year old and is still BFing and he said "great".

I would be pissed if my ped. didn't "know" the benefits of BFing. Doctors should know this.

hpoff33 · January 2013

My pediatrician is incredibly supportive of my BF. He felt absolutely terrible when we had to introduce formula at 3 weeks to combat jaundice. Once my sons bili levels were where they should be, he was super excited to let me know baby could go back on the breast. Even at 4 months, a lot of women I know are surprised I am still nursing. The odds have totally been stacked against me: I have dealt with it all: jaundice, latch issues, mastitis (4 times) and a wicked nursing strike right around 3 months. Yet, here we are!

I think I only know of one other mother who has EBF.

DottyBlue · January 2013

Honestly, this is why I found a pediatrician's office that has an IBCLC on staff. The pediatricians have so much information to keep up on that I love having a specialist on breastfeeding around. I want my pediatrician to be up to speed on vaccines, viruses, etc since that will cover the bulk of time that my DS spends with him over the next 15 years.

That said, the LC keeps the pedis in the practice updated on breastfeeding support practices, new information releases etc. My pediatrician is so supportive of breastfeeding and I do believe it is linked to how educated he has been by the LC. He isn't anti-formula by any means; I had to supplement for a few weeks early on due to weight gain issues. But he worked closely with me and the LC to get my DS to a point where we could go back to EBF.

angelicbrunette23 · January 2013

sounds like the Dr. is just weird. My Pedi encourages me to continue breastfeeding for as long as I want. He just recommended I try to give her a little bit of cereal (1-2 teaspoons) a day just to get her used to it but not as her primary food source. It's so frustrating how every Dr. can be different, shouldn't they have a book to go by and all of them just stick to it!? HAHA

bripratt2 · January 2013

pumpkinwife07:
"It IS that uncommon! A lot of new moms just don't bother trying to BF these days or they give up for a good or selfish sometimes.. reason. For others it just doesn't work out! ALL of these babies end up on formula!!"Judgemental much! Who are you to call a mom selfish for any reason. It's called making a choice that best fits your family. You've been a mom for two seconds. Sit back and relax. You have a long ride ahead of you. [/ quote]

Its true though. I knee a girl who didn't want her boobs to change. That's putting her physical appearance ahead of providing the best nourishment for her child so by literal definition that's selfish...and kind of dumb I mean once you get pregnant there's little hope for your boobs....

pumpkinwife07 · February 2013

"Its true though. I knee a girl who didn't want her boobs to change. That's putting her physical appearance ahead of providing the best nourishment for her child so by literal definition that's selfish...and kind of dumb I mean once you get pregnant there's little hope for your boobs...."

I still don't get why it matters to you? Who cares why this woman didn't want to breastfeed. So what. Is she feeding and loving her baby? If the answer is yes than she's not selfish. A mom who provides their child with food, shelter, care and love is not selfish. A good mom doesn't have time to be selfish.

IMO, I'd try really hard to not worry about what other moms are doing or not doing. Worry about doing what is best for your own family.

tokenhoser · February 2013

pumpkinwife07:
IMO, I'd try really hard to not worry about what other moms are doing or not doing. Worry about doing what is best for your own family.

Well, that's not true, or you wouldn't spend so much time on the breastfeeding board telling us how it's not that important to breastfeed.

pumpkinwife07 · February 2013

"Well, that's not true, or you wouldn't spend so much time on the breastfeeding board telling us how it's not that important to breastfeed. "

That's not true. I'm for choice and acceptance. If you EBF (from your breast) - good. If you EP - good. If you suppliment - good. If you use formula - good. Just feed your kid and stop judging other mothers.

If you look back at all my posts, you will see that is what I care most about. The breastfeeding board should also be a welcomed place for those who aren't die-hard breastfeeders.

tokenhoser · February 2013

The Breastfeeding board is here to support breastfeeding. If you show up and say "well, it doesn't matter, just feed your baby", that's your opinion, and you're welcome to it, but it's not helpful, supportive, or needed here. I think it's fair to assume that a question on this board is seeking an answer that will encourage continued successful breastfeeding.

pumpkinwife07 · February 2013

Here's the thing: breastfeeding isn't going to work out (perfectly) for everyone. People who are struggling should give it all if that is what they want to. They should also know that there are other options out there. Maybe supplimenting, maybe switching all together. Woman who can't EBF often fall through the cracks on this site, because so many of you are BF at all costs. I believe that mentality can be harmful to a mother who is at her wits end.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing. And, a woman struggling should be aware of all her options. Above all, moms need to be healthy and happy to take good care of the babies.

tokenhoser · February 2013

Well, gee, than isn't OP lucky to have a doctor willing to just throw formula at her for free? What a lucky person she is to have such a "supportive" doctor.

I don't think anyone, anywhere is unaware that formula is an option.

pumpkinwife07 · February 2013

I never made a comment to the OP. Perhaps you should go back and take a look. The comment I made was to another poster who was rude.

"It IS that uncommon! A lot of new moms just don't bother trying to BF these days or they give up for a good (or selfish sometimes.. ) reason. For others it just doesn't work out! ALL of these babies end up on formula!!"

Good god. Not formula!!!!!!!!! I'm going to call crap like that out. There is no need for that on this board or any other for that matter. It's no one's business why a mother chooses to feed her baby formula or breastmilk for that matter. This site exsists to help breastfeeding mothers - not just those who EBF from their breast. If you want a board just for that, I suggest taking it up with the bump.

[Deleted User] · February 2013

pumpkinwife07:
I never made a comment to the OP. Perhaps you should go back and take a look. The comment I made was to another poster who was rude. "It IS that uncommon! A lot of new moms just don't bother trying to BF these days or they give up for a good or selfish sometimes.. reason. For others it just doesn't work out! ALL of these babies end up on formula!!"Good god. Not formula!!!!!!!!! I'm going to call crap like that out. There is no need for that on this board or any other for that matter. It's no one's business why a mother chooses to feed her baby formula or breastmilk for that matter. This site exsists to help breastfeeding mothers not just those who EBF from their breast. If you want a board just for that, I suggest taking it up with the bump. nbsp;

Oh brother. You are so over sensitive that you have blown her comment way out of proportion. And hijacked yet another post on the BFing board. You need to get a grip and get this chip off your shoulder.
OP, my pedi has been relatively supportive of BFing. She did suggest formula as an option when we were dealing with DS's MSPI but supported my decision to keep BFing. I live in CA though so I think it's more common here. :]

Kdoy705 · February 2013

Yeah Oregon!!! You guys are ahead of the curve for sure!

jess9802:
Kdoy705:
Hello! Here is a link to the CDC report card on breastfeeding rates - it is interesting to see how different states stack up in terms of BF'ing and what % of the state's population breastfeed and for how long.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2012BreastfeedingReportCard.pdf
That chart is great. I live in Oregon and clearly we rock! :-)

BFing is that uncommon?

Re: BFing is that uncommon?

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