Pedi suggested I stop BF-ing my 12 month old...why???

Sarah - posted on 09/23/2010

Well, I nursed my son for 10 months, not as long as I would have liked. Even though there were days I felt like thats all he did. I say as long as you are producing and you child is wanting to, still do it. I got mestitis 3 times and it made my milk suppose drop dramatically, which is why we didn't make as long.

Jennifer - posted on 09/22/2010

it's things like this that make me go for younger doctors who have a more updated education but still have a few years experience under their belt.

Ania - posted on 09/22/2010

Who she is to suggest something like this. Don't wean if you think you want to continue. It was her personal opinion and not an educated opinion and there is a huge difference. check out kellymom.com there are a lot scientificly proved articles on that website

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 09/21/2010

Good luck in your search, Rachel. You could do some interviews with new ones and ask where they stand on BF. That way you won't run into this situation again. Hope you find a good one!

Shawnie - posted on 09/21/2010

Rachel,

My OB-GYN actually told me I was causing psychological damage to my child when she found out I was still nursing @ 18 months. It was her opinion but she presented it as fact which I think is abuse of the authority her position as a doctor represents. Needless to say I found a new doctor and am still nursing @ 33 months.

Rachel - posted on 09/21/2010

belive it or not...this is a FEMALE pediatrician with children of her own!! I switched to a different office because we moved....I do not like her but I do like the arnp's in her office....I'm seeking out another dr...but im still bothered by the comment. she's relatively young...mid 30's early 40's.... thank you all for your support and encouragement. I really needed that. I wasnt anywhere near stopping, if anything that just made me want to continue more but nonetheless....I need a new pediatricain.

Valerie - posted on 09/21/2010

Great job on giving your baby such a healthy start at life! I don't know how long it has been since your pediatrician has looked at any studies because the American Academy of Pediatrics revised their bf'ing policy in 2005, not just yesterday. Here is the guidelines from the AAP website...

The policy recommendations include:

* Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child.
* Mother and infant should sleep in proximity to each other to facilitate breastfeeding;
* Self-examination of mother's breasts for lumps is recommended throughout lactation, not just after weaning;
* Support efforts of parents and the courts to ensure continuation of breastfeeding in cases of separation, custody and visitation;
* Pediatricians should counsel adoptive mothers on the benefits of induced lactation through hormonal therapy or mechanical stimulation.
* Recognize and work with cultural diversity in breastfeeding practices
* A pediatrician or other knowledgeable and experienced health care professional should evaluate a newborn breastfed infant at 3 to 5 days of age and again at 2 to 3 weeks of age to be sure the infant is feeding and growing well.

"Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child."
They are supposed to support bf'ing for 'at least' the first 12 months, not kick them off once they hit 12 months. As a previous poster said about the AAFP website, I would print that page and this one out and take it to your 15 months check-up so you are prepared should they give you any more silly advice. Or if there are more peds in your area, see if you can find one who is more supportive (and informed) than your current one. For my personal experience, I bf'ed all 3 of my kids and they weaned when they were ready. My first who is a little miss independent weaned at 22 mo, my son at 26 mo, and I am currently nursing my almost 22 mo old and she seems nowhere near ready to stop anytime soon, and I am perfectly fine with that. :) Good luck! Let us know how the 15 mo check-up goes!

June - posted on 09/20/2010

i dont know your situation but i was recomended the same thing @11 month for my son but he had stopped growing WEIGHT and length and his weight was actually dropping 4 days later we were admitted to the childrens hospital and a feeding tube was placed in 29 days he has finally gained a pound and 1 inch! NOW my sons situation is highly unusual but had he been growing fine id have kept bfing to i think it is best!!!!!!!! ( BTW the last time he was BF was 1 week before his 1st birthday)

Lindsy - posted on 09/20/2010

Granted I only BF my first for 6 mons. and my second for 1 yr. but that was my personal choice. If you and your baby want to keep going there is no reason to stop. And yes , most of the world weens between 2 and 7 , LOL but I realllllllly can't see BF when the child is ready for kindergarten, but that just me. No offence if anyone does, just I couldn't.

Rohani - posted on 09/20/2010

Hi Rachel, here in Suriname (South America) most women BF for only 3 months or less. I BF my first baby for 6 months breastmilk exclusively and I saw that my pediatrician was not too happy about it. After one year he totally discouraged me for going on. I was also really upset and I didn't listen to him. According to him after one year the milk was unnutritious and that I should only BF my child to pacify her. I really didn't listen and my daughter was 22 months when I stopped BF her, because by than her baby sister was born. Go with what all the other moms are saying, it's the best food there is for them and go with your instinct ... Good luck !!!

Jennifer - posted on 09/20/2010

My ped also recommended the same thing. I refused to see him after that visit. I request a different one or a nurse practioner only at my son's appt's now. My son is 18 months old and I'm breastfeeding him still. We'll quit when we're ready, not when the doctor or someone else tells us to stop!

Gabriela - posted on 09/20/2010

We are mammals, right? That means we feed our young with milk, right? And we produce our own milk, so why would you give a young mammal any milk that is not its mother's?

Julie - posted on 09/19/2010

Do what you think is best, i BF all 4 of mine till they decided to wean themselves, and if my Dr told me to stop and wean, she would get a serious ear full for me,

Donna - posted on 09/19/2010

its just considrered a norm of society. But if you wanna keep breast feeding, do it

Aicha - posted on 09/19/2010

My daughter's nurse practitioner is really supportive of breastfeeding past 1 year of age it sounds like your doctor is informed with outdated inaccurate information World Health Organization recommends 2 years at least and longer if mutually wanted by mama and baby. You should go to la leche league and get information to give to your doctor next visit to help educate her or if possible find a new doctor who is supportive of breastfeeding toddlers if that is what you want. here is a helpful link http://www.llli.org/nb.html

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 09/18/2010

Like others, I would ignore the advice. If she pushes it tell her what your plan is and that's that. If you trust her otherwise, then you could stay. If you're uncomfortable then find a new one.

Laura Zoey - posted on 09/18/2010

Daniela, you can always send a letter with a printing......:) no guts necessary! I'm going to take action about my ped. suggesting I front face Eric in the car. Thankfully she thinks it's amazing I still breastfeed, but idk how long her support will last.

Daniela - posted on 09/18/2010

Yep, that's the medical profession for you. Sad truth is that the majority of doctors, midwifes etc. are not trained properly or at all when it comes to bf. I know it's upsetting when someone you are supposed to be able to trust with your child's health comes out with such uninformed, outdated nonsense, but just try to ignore it and do your own thing. My baby is 12 months old, too and neither of us have any intention on weaning any time soon. I have come across that kind of attitude, too but I know there is a wealth of scientific knowledge on my side, so I try not to let it get to me. I think Laura makes a good point in suggesting we should educate people about the benefits of bfing beyond one year. Generally I just bottle it though... Have to get braver, I think.

Laura Zoey - posted on 09/18/2010

http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/polic...
Here's the link to where I got that exerpt. It's a great read, and really encouraging if more drs would follow it!

Laura Zoey - posted on 09/18/2010

As recommended by the WHO, breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is not the cultural norm in the United States and requires ongoing support and encouragement.69 It has been estimated that a natural weaning age for humans is between two and seven years.70 Family physicians should be knowledgeable regarding the ongoing benefits to the child of extended breastfeeding, including continued immune protection,71 better social adjustment,72 and having a sustainable food source in times of emergency. The longer women breastfeed, the greater the decrease in their risk of breast cancer.73 Mothers who have immigrated from cultures in which breastfeeding beyond infancy is routine should be encouraged to continue this tradition. There is no evidence that extended breastfeeding is harmful to mother or child. Breastfeeding during a subsequent pregnancy is not unusual. If the pregnancy is normal and the mother is healthy, breastfeeding during pregnancy is the woman's personal decision. If the child is younger than two years, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned. Breastfeeding the nursing child after delivery of the next child (tandem nursing) may help provide a smooth transition psychologically for the older child.19

Here, Rachel, this is copied directly from the American academy of family physicians. I highly encourage you to print this out and bring it to his 15 month visit. Make your dr explain why he said that and teach him through this fact page. You don't want him misinforming more moms after you, please show this to him and get him up to date for the sake of all the poor weaned kids he caused!

Teresa - posted on 09/18/2010

I nursed my son through his entire 18 month visit (regular ped was on vacation.. replacement was a woman and my son didn't do well w/ women) and only got praise for it. If you generally like and trust this ped otherwise I would just ignore her on the breastfeeding stance.

Jennifer - posted on 09/18/2010

Sadly, most pedicatricians are not educated in BF so they naturally lump it together with formula.
The LLL, WHO and various other informed organizations all suggest bfing until 2yrs and longer if desired.

Andrea - posted on 09/17/2010

I agree with you that is crazy. My sone is almost 16 months and we are still going strong. My husband I decided to let him decide as long as me and my baby are comfortable. Also just like the mom before me posted and several other moms I have talked to that have decided to let their child decide each child decided to wean at different ages. I believe they know when they don't need it anymore. Follow your instincts!! Moms instincts are normally right so if your instincts tell you to keep going and your child wants to then continue. When I was pregnant my midwives told me to look for a pediatrician since I planned to bf because not all support ebf and not all grade them on the right scale. So I started to interview pediatric centers and found many graded all babies on a formula based scale or suggest to quit at 6 months, a year or not ebf but to use formula as well. We know the real truth some doctors info is out dated or let their own personal opinion get in the way if their medical one. If you and baby want to continue then continue it is what is best for you and baby. If your pediatrician gives you problems about still bf at the 15 month appointment you might want to consider a new one if nit already. My sons pediatrician praises our accomplishments. Also congrats are due for you and baby for making it one year and wanting to continue. It continues getting easier:) I enjoy my extra 30 min sleep in the morning while he gets his nursing on and so thankful I don't have to make a bottle or sipped cup. Also the longer you bf themmore benefits for you and baby. Also mom's long term benefits come in after 6 years of nursing. So I figured for myself incase we decide to stop at two children I need to at least nurse him till three if he wants so I can get my 6 years in. Another thing is the bible says to nurse our young for a long period of time. I have to find it again to say for sure how long but God knew what he was doing when he designed us so intricately. Congrats again on making 12 months and best of luck at another 12 if you and baby so choose:) and follow your instincts.

Katrina - posted on 09/17/2010

It's outdated innacurate information to make the story short. World Health Organization recommends 2 years at least and longer if mutually wanted by mama and baby. I nursed until just shy of 3 years, just shy of 5 years and my 15 month old isn't stopping any time soon. There is no reason to stop just because the calendar says they're some particular age.