Your pedi...

orangegoggles · July 2013

I genuinely like my pedi. He loves his job, the children, and is great communicating with parents. I always feel very comfortable with his relaxed nature as he's always saying we are doing a great job, etc. He doesn't want me to stress the little stuff and to follow my gut which I get.

However, there have been a couple of things he has said that I raised my eyebrow at. First, when we started to feed DS he said I could give him as much as he would eat and that the goal was to slowly have him start taking more solids than BM. This goes against current recommendations to continue providing BM/formula as the main source of nutrition until 1 year (which we plan on doing). I guess if he meant closer to 1 but it seems like he means starting now (DS is 6 months).

There are a couple of other small things he's said that I probably would have followed if it hadn't been for the bump and my other reading material. Are these things a big deal? Would it bother you if your pedi wasn't always up to date on these issues? He is in his 60's and ironically my H was one of his first patients when he opened the practice 30 years or so ago.

I have often heard people on here say that feeding/sleep/parenting advice isn't always followed but that their pedi was more of a medical/illness expert. What says PAL?

ProfessorPedals825 · July 2013

FTM here. When I first met with our pedi, I loved her. She's so nice and has 5 children herself and has been through the various stages of each one's development differently. I really thought, wow, this lady knows it all! She said I could call for any little thing that worries me, but when questions come up I do feel silly calling when the ladies here are very knowledgeable. AND our LOs are going through developmental stages about the same time.

DD is only 3 1/2 months old, so I don't have any real experience yet, but I would have say I agree with the pedi being more of a medical/illness expert. I'll get her opinion and probably value it higher than other advice, but I think it really comes down to what I decide is best and what DD will tolerate. If she doesn't take to solids when the pedi recommends, I'm not going to force it on her. I'll try to let her set the pace with me and DH guiding her with our best judgment.

Missa_g · July 2013

The way you wrote his advice makes me think its typical. The goal IS to slowly [key word] switch from BM/formula to solids. If he said slowly that doesn't seem wrong.

I do use the pedi for illness/medical concerns only. As long as there are no underlying medical issues we make our own decisions about sleep and food based on our own research and parenting style.

orangegoggles · July 2013

Missa_g:
The way you wrote his advice makes me think its typical. The goal IS to slowly [key word] switch from BM/formula to solids. If he said slowly that doesn't seem wrong. I do use the pedi for illness/medical concerns only. As long as there are no underlying medical issues we make our own decisions about sleep and food based on our own research and parenting style.

Yeah, he made it seem like I should drop BM feedings and increase foods beginning now. Meaning, if DS would tolerate it, encourage food first then offer BM if he's not satisfied. Which I obviously won't do until closer to 1 year.

CdnFarmGirl08 · July 2013

pangnl79:
Missa_g:
The way you wrote his advice makes me think its typical. The goal IS to slowly [key word] switch from BM/formula to solids. If he said slowly that doesn't seem wrong. I do use the pedi for illness/medical concerns only. As long as there are no underlying medical issues we make our own decisions about sleep and food based on our own research and parenting style.
Yeah, he made it seem like I should drop BM feedings and increase foods beginning now. Meaning, if DS would tolerate it, encourage food first then offer BM if he's not satisfied. Which I obviously won't do until closer to 1 year.

My pedi also said at 6 months to start offering solids first (but not over do it) and then offer BM next. I did this only for one feeding, the rest I would nurse then wait a bit and then offer solids.

She also said around 9 months I should be switching to mostly solids and only 2-3 nursing sessions or bottles. So that is what I am doing.

my LO is 9 months old and if I would be just offering BM and then solids, he would be going through a lot of bottles. They just aren't enough for him.

orangegoggles · July 2013

CdnFarmGirl08:
pangnl79:
Missa_g:
The way you wrote his advice makes me think its typical. The goal IS to slowly [key word] switch from BM/formula to solids. If he said slowly that doesn't seem wrong.

I do use the pedi for illness/medical concerns only. As long as there are no underlying medical issues we make our own decisions about sleep and food based on our own research and parenting style.
Yeah, he  made it seem like I should drop BM feedings and increase foods beginning now.  Meaning, if DS would tolerate it, encourage food first then offer BM if he's not satisfied. Which I obviously won't do until closer to 1 year. 
My pedi also said at 6 months to start offering solids first (but not over do it) and then offer BM next. I did this only for one feeding, the rest I would nurse then wait a bit and then offer solids.
She also said around 9 months I should be switching to mostly solids and only 2-3 nursing sessions or bottles. So that is what I am doing.
my LO is 9 months old and if I would be just offering BM and then solids, he would be going through a lot of bottles. They just aren't enough for him.

Ok this makes sense to me...thanks for clarifying. I've always heard food before one is just for fun well only on the bump actually! so I've always thought he should be getting the bulk of his calories from me. Classic story of using the Internet to make decisions lol.

Mom2anAngel2 · July 2013

Most pediatricians are very open to each parents' style. You should not be afraid to discuss your beliefs or wishes with them. As long as your child is healthy and thriving, they are usually not concerned. Most pediatricians just want to be sure that no harm is being done.

Also, they are asked questions all the time. So they sometimes assume that everyone is looking for advise. Not everyone needs advise, or agrees with their way of doing things, and that is okay. Medicine is an art, not a science. There is not one right answer and all others are wrong.

So, to answer your question, I would not be concerned. I have open descusions with our pedi at every visit. He respects my opinion, and I respect his.

And remember that medical recommendations are constantly changing. What is good for your baby today my be dangerous tomorrow, and what is thought to be harmful today may be a cure for some disease tomorrow. You are the momma, and you know what your baby needs. Trust your gut and ask questions when you have them, but remember that the answers are not set in stone.

MickeyM04 · July 2013

I think what your ped said sounds right. He did say "slowly," which I think is true, isn't it? Aren't we gradually supposed to increase solids and decrease BM/formula? That's what I always thought anyway.

I really don't have a problem with peds giving recommendations about things that are not illness/medical issues as long as they don't state them as directives like, "You have to start reducing BM now," or "You need to start sleep training now." That being said, I generally follow his recommendation, at least to give it a try even if it doesn't work out. Ours is always very, "It's your decision, but what I generally suggest around this time is XYZ."

Like at 4 months he said we could start baby food purees which I know everyone will probably shake their heads at, but he said, "You can start baby food purees now if you want, or you can wait, but generally we like them to have some sort of solid at around 6 months." So it was basically left up to us. I like when doctors do that. It sounds like yours is pretty similar so I wouldn't give him the side eye just yet.

orangegoggles · July 2013

Thanks for the input ladies! I think I'll go with my gut. I'm sure I could have misunderstood him as well.

adoxyinherear · July 2013

After about six months was when DD's pediatrician lost us. She started giving advice I didn't necessarily agree with, and then I completely flipped out after her 9 month check-up when she told me to offer solids before nursing, and limit DD's nursing sessions to 4 a day (and none overnight). She's also in her sixties, and while I know she's well intentioned, I don't want parenting advice. I want to be sure DD is receiving adequate preventative medical care and is meeting developmental milestones. We're actually going to a new pediatrician for her 12 month, so I hope I like this new gal better.

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