I'm really set on breast feeding my child, but my dr insists it would be bad for the baby because I'm (in his words) "too young" and I have low iron. This is the same dr who told me my low iron would affect the baby's iq, which my midwife has now confirmed is a big fat lie and apparently "the most ridiculous thing" she's ever heard. I have heard of older women having problems breast feeding but never younger women and my mom breast fed all 3 of her children which is why I'm rather adamant on doing it.
So my question is do you guys think it's a bad idea and could harm my baby or is my dr feeding me more crap when he really doesn't know the first thing about baby's?
Re: Breast feeding ?
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
New Doctor ASAP!! Seriously. Don't brush this off. Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your child. Even if you do have low iron, you can take supplements. duh. I did.
I think the only time a doctor would recommend you not breastfeed is if you have some serious vices. like heroine. or if you're a constant drunk. or anything else like that.... but just because of an iron deficiency that you can take supplements for? WTF? Leave him ASAP...
Also, I highly recommend you read up on Kellymom.com. Breastfeeding 101.
MC: 2/19/14
Definitely get a new doctor, that one is a freakin' idiot, and a total douchecanoe at that!
Oh and wanted to add I had NO issues breastfeeding my daughter, and still nurse her a few times a day and she's 13 months old. Just a little aside, her iron was recently checked and was great.
I would recommend that you keep your iron up during pregnancy with supplements. Iron is important for baby's brain growth and it will be important in breast milk as well but there are supplements for baby if your iron is low while nursing as well.
Breastfeeding can be difficult no matter what age you are but its sometimes harder when you're young to find help and support so I really encourage you to seek that out as early as possible- and clearly your doctor is not going to be a good source of support. Wic programs usually can refer you to a breastfeeding counselor who doesn't cost money like a lactation counselor (even if you don't have wic). There are usually breastfeeding moms groups that meet up monthly or weekly and peer support can make a world of difference.
Get a new doctor!!
Also take a look to see if your hospital offers any breast feeding classes, that would be the perfect place for you to find correct answers.
Mom to Carter (6), and Calianne (1).
Proud VBAC, natural birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering momma!
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
Interesting. My MD wanted me to find an OB when I told her we'd be trying to get pregnant on the near future. I just figured that was the norm!