Pediatrician said I am breastfeeding too much, therefore my baby is not gaining weight....

Sharon - posted on 08/28/2010

lalecheleaguecanada.ca

Is the doctor older? I find some are very out of date with some of this stuff. A family doctor is required to take a one hour course on breastfeeding throughout the course of their training. I'm not sure about Pediatricians but still they are hardly experts.

Maybe you could find a lactation consultant in your area to talk to as well.

Find out what you were like as a baby (and the father), you may find that he is simply following a pattern of smaller babies. Also, if either of you are smaller then it would make sense that the baby might be smaller, I knew a woman whose doctor was saying the same things b/c her daughter was in the 25th percentile for height and weight, but the mother was 4" something and was lucky if she weighed 100 lbs, why would the doctor expect her daughter to be much bigger, she was just small like her mother.

Shawna - posted on 08/27/2010

make sure to still be taking your vitamins and such healthy foods like while you were pregnant and such stuff that is still important for your milk supply and vitamin supply for your own body also.

Shawna - posted on 08/27/2010

find out if your son is staying on a steady curve and if so he should be fine and I agree never had a doctor push formula before breast before weird. You can also ask for a second opinion. If you don't feel right with that dr.'s opinion ask for another one.

Kimberly - posted on 08/27/2010

I think I would probably get another doctor. I nursed my son until he was a year old, and he was so much more healthy than his cousins who were formula babies. Also, babies at your childs age don't know to over eat yet. They don't eat because there is good food still sitting on the table like adults can do. They are awesome calorie counters! They eat just as much as their bodies need, so I doubt you are over feeding. I also think if your child wasn't getting enough, he would let you know. I had someone, luckily not my doctor, tell me that my milk probably didn't have enough nutrition because he was fussy one day after he had nursed enough to be satisfied. Ridiculous!
If you do consider supplementing with formula, be sure and read what is in it. I haven't actually done any research on it, but a friend of mine has, and said she found some scary stuff in them, including the DHA they are now including for brain development. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 08/27/2010

Ignore him and get a differnt doctor it sounds like your baby might be like mine and need iron. My son stoped gaining weight and they put him on iron and he filled right out and i still breastfeed and he is 11 months old . i am about to stop nursing and put him on milk so i will see how he does then but good luck and get a second view.

Elysia - posted on 08/27/2010

i would try another doctor. But my son did the exact thing though at that age, and he was eating all day every day as well as having at least 4 breast feeds a day. My child nurse was really good about it as it was clear that he was just using all the energy he was taking in. she kept a bit of a closer eye on his weight for a few months and then sure enough he took off again hes still only in about the 10percentile for his weight yet his height is higher but he is a very active little boy and i might add he is now on formula and has been fully since before his 1st birthday as i was pregnant again so i felt it was best to wean.

Jamie - posted on 08/27/2010

Both my breastfed babies have been small. I exlusively breastfeed for the first year. My 13mo old is in the 5-10% and not once has my ped acted like she needed anything more. You're doing a wonderful job!! Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that docs don't always know best!!

Becky - posted on 08/27/2010

One more thing- you may want to ask for a copy of your sons chart and if you do not understand what is written (docs have their own language) find someone like nurse friend who does. I do not want to scare you at all but the last thing you want is a pediatrician who is putting negative things in your sons chart about his parents not feeding him enough... we have children with autism and chose to stop vaccinating. Our pediatrician actually supported that with the children who were on the spectrum; however when I told him we were not getting our older childs booster, he made a comment about not turning into one of "those parents." When I got pregnant again, I switched peds because I know I needed a doctor who supported whatever we chose... so YES- follow your instict... even if there really is a weight issue... the breastmilk is NOT the problem. Especially since that is not his sole source of calories...

Ellen - posted on 08/27/2010

@Becky Cash - My son was quite a big baby when he was born, 9lb7oz, around 95th % now he is off the bottom of the FF charts, but he has steadily gained the same amount of weight since he was born.

Bobbie - posted on 08/27/2010

Get a new pediatrician.

Lindsay - posted on 08/27/2010

lol.. I think that is bologna! It is advised that you Exclusively! Breastfeed until 1 yr old. Then to feed baby via sippy or bottle with breastmilk between meals until 2 yrs old. My daughter is 19 months old and breastfed for 13 of those months, mostly exclusively and she weighs about 20-21lbs now, which is light for her age. She is just fine and eats normal and healthy.

Ellen - posted on 08/27/2010

@Regina, Hiya, I recently had a full medical as I was feeling kinda faint, (I'm not one to faint at all!), every now and then, everything came back perfectly normal. So I think that my health is quite god, it's just my son that seems to be the big concern, however, I did talk to a nurse today who was as shocked as everyone else to hear what the Pedi had told me about breastmilk. Just to clarify, he hasn't come right out and said, stop BF and use formular, but he def makes a a point of talking up the benefits or baby cereal and formula and advising me to cut back on BF as my son is only doing it for comfort and is really just 'snacking' on it and then isn't hungry enough for real food. He has been giving me this same info since my son was 6mths old!! Talk about confusing! I thought that being a dr, he should/would know the best way to care for my baby, apparently not so! I also want to add that he is not a recent grad, but far from it, so not sure if that may also be a contributing factor as I know about 30 years ago there was a huge formula fad happening. My own mother didn't BF any of her children and wasn't particularly encouraged to do so either.

Becky - posted on 08/27/2010

The bigger question is, "what is his percentile now vs at birth. My daughter was born in the 5th percentile and stayed there. No matter what we feed her- that is where she stays. It does concern me much more than the docs- they say it is fine.... Having said that, breastmilk IS absolutely best for your baby and if you are not breastfeeding instead of solids... (though in general I am a complete supporter of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.... The breast milk is NOT the issue. Breast milk has more fat than formula- the right kind of fat. So, if your son is really healthy (not getting frequent colds, etc) then it should not be an issue. In fact, our previous ped. told us that as long as they are between 3 and 97 th percentile- that is normal- that's the point of the chart- IF he started out much higher and is dropping- I woul dbe worried about an underlying condition- but the breastmilk is still not the problem.... Personally, I would get a new pediatrician if you do not trust yours. Or atleast a second opinion- you do not want to miss something underlying but last thing you need is a pediatrician poorly advising.

Ellen - posted on 08/27/2010

I have no idea what the dr is trying to 'eliminate with these tests, but it seems that everyone I have spoken with has agreed that if my baby appears to be healthy, is active, eats 3 meals a day, plus breast milk on demand and is hitting all of his milestones, then there is probably nothing wrong with him! and that a dr telling me that I am breastfeeding too much is just nuts!

Rebecca - posted on 08/27/2010

I would be finding a new pediatrician... maybe tell him why in person and hand him some research from the World Heath Organization, and American Academy of Pediatrics....

Nora - posted on 08/27/2010

I would get a second opinion from another pediatrician

Lisa - posted on 08/27/2010

Hi I have a 2 1/12 year old who the same thing happened to, but as time past he caught up with the weight so don't even worry.

Lynn - posted on 08/27/2010

that happened to me when my daughter was born, she did not gain any weight at all..
and she was put on formula which was soy and she not lactose, and so thats what the problem was..

Amanda - posted on 08/27/2010

Try arrowroot cookies they are high in iron as a snack

Audra - posted on 08/27/2010

There are plenty of children who are in a lower percentile of the growth chart. My sister's daughter is in the 80th for height and 25th for weight. She is happy and healthy, just little. If your son is healthy I wouldn't worry about it at all. I would recommend looking to find a different pediatrician who is supportive of breastfeeding and if they are also concerned about his weight, I would see if they would look into alternatives to why he is slipping on the growth chart such as allergies.

Holly - posted on 08/27/2010

also, your doctor might be stupid! and i have been told that most doctors will try to push you to formula feed then breastfeed so the companies that make formula would make there money! the main reason why most women have to formula feed is when they have something wrong with them.. i can say a few, mothers who have Disease like HIV and AIDS also mothers who have medical problems! these moms have to take medicine, and babies cant take breast milk with those type of medications in the mothers milk! thats mainly what they should keep formula around, is for those type of mothers! my neighbor told me her sad stories about how she is bipolar and she also has some other problems and she has to take all types of medicine for them, and that she wasnt able to breastfeed her son! i would change doctors! good luck, and keep breastfeeding!!!

Karen - posted on 08/27/2010

my nephew is 2 and is not much bigger then my son who is 6 months children are DIFFERENT! The charts are based on averages anyways there are children who are not average liek my son is above average in his height & weight and my nephew is below average..I agree if he is happy, healthy then I would not be overly concerned I think you should stick with breast feeding just maybe do breastmilk via bottle with cereal and put him on 3 feedings a day my sister gave me a schedule to try (she has 2 kids, 1 on the way) food feedings 8am 12pm, 4pm and bottles around that schedule she doesn't do bottles more then an hour before feedings sometimes you do have to do a feeding first and THEN breastfeed or bottle feed sometimes they get to full on breast milk to eat my dr made me stop doing bottles BEFORE food and do it after I ran into the issue where my son would not eat food and wasnt gaining as he needed

Ultimately its up to you to choose to stop breastfeeding....do what YOU are comfortable with my lactation consultant said you should continue to breasfeed but try pumping into a bottle & add cereals with a few feedings and you can also add snacks too gerber graduates has a lot to choose from my son eats cookies and those yogurt snacks

Kristin - posted on 08/27/2010

My pediatrician did the same thing to me!! He actually told me to stop BF my daughter and put her on solids when she was 3 months old... let me tell you that was the last time I saw him!!! and continued to BF her until she was 2 yrs old... Most doctors that I have incountered have some sort of problem with bfing mothers... they always want to give you their opinion...Key word "opinion"... half the time they dont know what they are talking about cause 90% of the population Formula feeds...and BFing is frowned upon... When it is the most nautral thing..I mean come on we are the only mammals that chose not to feed their own off-spring and any DOCTOR that tells you to give that up is a QUACK!!!

Holly - posted on 08/27/2010

breastfeeding is never to much! bottle formula, adding cereal is to much! i breastfed my son till he was 9M old and he was healthy. i plan breastfeeding my 2 week old till she is 12M! my friend is breastfeeding her daughter at 6M now and she is 20 pounds i think, as much as a 1 yr old! her ped. told her, her 6M old is healthy!

Oneika - posted on 08/27/2010

I can't believe your doctor would suggest such a thing. Our first son was born 8 weeks early. The only thing I had to do to help him gain weight was add a Human Milk Fortifier to expressed milk. After a few months of that, the preemie doc said he could come off. Our ped never was concerned about his weight. She always told me that as long as he was hitting all his milestones, she could care less that he was in the 5th%. I was always concerned, but she said as long as he wasn't losing a lot of weight, it was ok. I bf'ed him for 21 & a half months. He has always been lean & active. He eats fruits, veggies & rarely ever junk food. He is very bright, & I'm glad we had support for bf'ing. I would get a different doc. Good luck!

P.S. he is now 2 & a half

Tiffany - posted on 08/27/2010

And another note - this country is being rampaged by overweight and obese children and adults. Bf'ing is PROVEN to combat this. Maybe if those doctors wouldn't push formula and would push nursing more- this cycle could be broken. The US is one of the only countries where nursing is frowned upon and formula is the norm. I understand that sometimes there are unfortunate circumstances where formula may be necessary, but nursing is natural - and it should be done more frequently than it is. And the reactions from people when your nurse even an older INFANT are sometimes unwelcome. I am not a militant breastfeeding mother. My 3rd child is currently 11 months old- and enjoys it the most. It's her comfort. I am not the mom that will have a 2-4 year old nurse, but that's MY preference. I don't look down upon those mothers that prefer to nurse that long. Bottom line is that you are doing exactly what your body was meant to for your child and the BOTH of you will be all the more healthy for it! Good luck!

Melanie - posted on 08/27/2010

GET A SECOND OPINION LADY!!! I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO GIVE ANY EXPERT OPINIONS, BUT RECOMENDING FORMULA INSTEAD OF GOOD HEALTHY BREAST MILK??? I 'M NOT SO SURE!! DON'T QUIT B/F BEFORE YOU KNOW AAL THE FACTS!!! GOOD LUCK

Regina - posted on 08/27/2010

Ellen, another thing maybe is to look at your diet. Are you eating enough? Maybe you could up your whole milk intake and butter and healthy fats, such as nuts and avocado?? I would definitely suggest finding another pediatrician. Do you stay at home with him? If you do, even though it might be slightly inconvenient, just start grabbing him up and breast feeding him, even when he doesn't initiate the session. Are you feeling your let down? Don't let that pedi get you down. you breast feed that baby, he will start to gain weight!! breast milk is the best thing your baby has, it gives him antibodies from tons of illnesses, don't let them talk you into formula. even supplementing. the formulas today have tons of estrogen in them, as in the female hormone... http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articl... I don't think this link talks about the estrogen, but I know I just read an article about babies in china growing breasts. I hope your visit with the dr goes well. that is your baby, you are his mother and you know what is best. if you feel uneasy about anything that the pedi or anyone else for that matter suggests they just go with your motherly instinct. good luck to you and yours

Nicole - posted on 08/27/2010

About the dwarfism comments: Dwarfism, and others like it, are medical conditions that affect bone growth. Usually caused by genetics NOT feeding practices. If a baby is going to have Dwarfism, breastfeeding is not going to cause or contribute to it. I wouldn't worry about that, though. It sounds like the concern is the weight, not the height and it just sounds like you have a child that is of small stature not one having a medical condition such as Dwarfism.

As I said earlier, as long as breastfeeding is going well and a baby is growing steadily, happy and otherwise healthy, stature should not be of concern.

@Nicole, I, too, am sorry that you were misinformed about pumping being an indicator of milk supply. It is true that a baby is a far better at draining the breast than a pump. I am sure you won't have the same problems again, should you breastfeed again.

Tanya - posted on 08/27/2010

Also, if your son was a premie, then he should be measured from your due date

Tanya - posted on 08/27/2010

I say switch doctors. You should be breastfeeding first, because not all solids can be fully absorbed. You need to find a more-informed doctor.

Racheal - posted on 08/27/2010

Find a new doctor! wow unbelievable!! all babies grow differently! and some of the posts are right about the "charts" being for FF babies!! go by wet diapers and milestones...awesome job mama!!!!!!! keep it up

Erin - posted on 08/27/2010

Good Morning, Ellen! I am pregnant with my second child right now and plan to breastfeed well past a year! My little girl was small and thin and I got concerned...I went to her doctor, asked friends, my mom, a midwife...they all said if she is eatting at breastfeeding time and your breasts are empty at the end and you feed her when ever she want and your getting enough diapers on the other end...SHE FINE! Now in the US they promote breastfeed heavily! You mentioned there might be a coralation between processed foods and the rise in childhood disease...the best unprocessed food for your baby is booby! Stick with your gut, find a second opionion, and don't stop breastfeeding until you and the baby are ready.

Amanda - posted on 08/27/2010

My daughter is almost 11 months and at both 6 mnth and 9 mnths the pediatrician had said that she thought she wasn't gaining enough weight..she is just right above the weight line if not even...the dr even said that if she hadn't gain enough weight by 1 yr then we need to do something different...Kaitlyn is very long she has fat rolls on her arms and legs...You can tell by looking at her she is a healthy and happy baby!! I bf and feed three meals a day...I wouldn't worry about his weight as long as you feel that he is healthy and developmentally doing fine then i would shrug it off he could just be smaller then other babies,,, Bf babies weigh less then formula feed babies...I wouldn't stop bf its the best thing for him and i would get a second opinion!! Good luck!!

Jessica - posted on 08/27/2010

I have a similar situation....my daughter was born at a birth center so in twelve hours after her birth we were home and for that the pediatrician wanted to see her the next day...its standard....but she was born 8.8 and that day she weighed 7.14 and she told me to give formula after every nursing I didnt agree at all and wanted to speak with the top doctor but he agreed. So I did it but only for two days. On the third day my birth center come for a postpartum visit and they said that the pediatrician was unsupportive of breastfeeding and to try to find one that is and they even told me about one that day my daughter was 8.3 my birth center told me that yes it is a lot of weight for a baby to loose but it wasnt enough for them to totally throw away all my nursing efforts because she could have ended up preffering the bottle and then what? I would be stuck with the cost of formula which I can't afford. When I was giving her the bottle though she never finished it and never actually wanted it shed spit it out and make a funny face like someone was putting lemons in her mouth and when i went back to her pediatrian for a weight check the next week she was 8.14 and the doctor was shocked when I told her I stopped formula after two days. Now I go to the same practice but see a different doctor who seems to be a lot more supportive of breastfeeding
Bring in the chart for breastfeeding babies and confront your doctor and tell him why nursing is so important to you if he doesnt budge find a new doctor that does understand the difference in charts and breastfed babies and who full supports the breastfed baby I know it is a pain in the butt to find a new doc for baby but it is worth finding the right one

Nicole - posted on 08/27/2010

Oh, phooey!!! You are doing fine. Failure to Thrive (FTT) is so over/misdiagnosed in breastfed babies and it is so frustrating! When a baby's size becomes of concern is when it's more than JUST their size that is bothersome, but a small baby that is hitting milestones, is active, happy and in all other ways healthy is fine! They are just small! Babies under 12 months are only supposed to have food as an introduction anyway. Breast milk should still be their primary source of nutrition.

And don't even get me started on the charts that they use to ruin a breastfeeding mother's confidence in breastfeeding!!! I'm sure your baby is fine. You do what you feel is best and it sounds like you know what is best: breast milk. Way to go!

Jessica - posted on 08/27/2010

What an idiot! How can you possibly BF too much?!

My DD (23 months and still nursing!) hated rice cereal too. A nice trick I found was to add a fruit or veggie puree to the mix and use breastmilk instead of water. I made my own baby food, which both saved money AND was much better for her. Boil or steam veggies till mushy and use cooking water to 'thin' the puree to desired consistency. Same can be done with meats - although I used breastmilk to blend them into a puree too.

As long as your child is hitting all the right milestones, and having enough wet diapers/dirty diapers, I say you keep going! If your doc can't get behind you on this, perhaps it's time to find a different doc if you can. Needless tests do NOTHING but stress you out, and your baby too!

Lisa - posted on 08/27/2010

Pediatricians are programmed by the companies who make formula, bunch of BS. I breastfed my 2 boys, and am currently breastfeeding 4 month old twin girls. It took me 2 1/2 months to get the girls on Breastmilk only, but the ped. kept suggesting I give up. The pediatrician tried that crap with me too. All my children are just fine. Happy and healthy. Do you research online and I know there are plenty of us moms here to help as well!!

Sinead - posted on 08/27/2010

your baby is" very happy, healthy and active baby " To me that is what matters. To hell with the doctor you go with your gut feeling. Women were doing the whole bf thing easier when they were not getting check ups and going to the doctor every so many weeks.... Dont give bf unless you want to.

Kayla - posted on 08/27/2010

Have you tried upping your calorie intake?? I would try this maybe to get his weight up a little

Michelle - posted on 08/26/2010

Honestly that Doc is full of crap. My littlest one is small, but that is because me and his daddy are small. I BF him for 2 years...even though he was small my ped NEVER told me to stop or give formula. You should find a different doctor and do not ever worry about making a doctor feel bad, they make just as many mistakes as anyone else theirs just end up affecting peoples lives and health.

Dara - posted on 08/26/2010

I would find a new doctor! My baby is ten months, and only weighs 16 pounds. We have had her tested for absolutely everything, and it turns out she is just very petite and VERY active! I breastfeed and she is eating a great variety of foods. My doc also advised me to breastfeed after a meal instead of before, so baby is getting full on the food instead of the milk as their bodies need the calories at this busy stage, but has never said to change to formula. My baby is also hitting all her milestones, and some of them early too. She is a thriving, healthy child, and it sounds like yours is too! Your doctor needs to go back to school.

Tiffany - posted on 08/26/2010

hey about the iron lacking in breast milk... it's true but as long as you are taking prenatal still (which is best) there is plenty of iron in your milk). If you're worried about the iron there are foods high in iron ... http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/nutrition/...
or try vitamin drops.
I'm sure that if your doc was in a malnurished society he wouldn't be telling his patients to stop breastfeeding. Keep up the good work.

Simone - posted on 08/26/2010

I had a similar issue with my daughter. The doctor told me to increase healthy fat and protein in her diet. Ex: olive oil. It took at least three visits to the doctor before signs of improvement was seen. Also, if you are stress that can also affect how they eat and gain weight. Her weight is not at the national average as of yet, however, she's a healthy vibrant toddler. I still breast feed, so please don't give up hope. Secondly, I was by Womens and Children that breastfed babies tend to be slimmer and taller than formula fed.

Angela - posted on 08/26/2010

I definitely agree that those "charts" are based on formula fed babies... My advice from momma to momma... Feed on demand whenever your babe would like a drink... and make sure you fill him up before his meals. For the first year of our babies lives food is for fun so as I have been told you have to make sure they fill up on the good stuff... (and I mean "booby juice, the liquid gold") then let them have fun with their food. You are doing great and trust your instincts Momma! If your gut is telling you that there is something not quite right about the advice you are receiving then you are probably right... go back to your family doc and get a referral to a pro breastfeeding pediatrician! Good luck Momma!

Danielle - posted on 08/26/2010

the other moms are right. the charts are based on formula fed babies.. just like the rules of "sids" is based on bottle fed babies. BF babies tend to be leaner and lighter in weight. If your baby is happy, full belly, growing fine, your milk is coming in then you are doing the right thing. I would check out another pediatrician that is more supportive of BF moms and you won't hear that again i'm sure!! Follow your instinct. YOU know your baby and what's right for them!!

Darby - posted on 08/26/2010

That's crazy! I have never heard such a thing as breastfeeding too much and not gaining enough weight from breastfeeding. Your breastmilk is specifically designed for your child. If your child is healthy, happy, and growing then you are doing it right. He may just be a slow grower...I have 2 of those. I have 2 healthy eaters and 2 not interested in eating. My first two children were really tiny and slow growing. My 2nd two children have healthy appetites and are growing 'normally'... 1st child stays in the 15-25th percentile range, 2nd child is in the 5th percentile, 3rd and 4th are in the 50th-75th...the first child was breastfed for the first 2 months and formula fed after (I had difficulty), the middle two were exclusively breastfed for the first year of life and I am currently breastfeeding my 5 month old. Keep breastfeeding if you so choose and ignore that doctor! You are Mommy and you know what is best! Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 08/26/2010

I would get a second opinion. Sounds to me like he just wants you to stop nursing and formula feed. Go with your gut! If you feel your baby is doing fine and looks healthy then keep doing what your doing. My doctor has always told me to nurse them first then feed baby foods. I'm nursing a 5 month old now and just recently started putting him on cereal and some baby food. ONLY because he acted like he wanted more after nursing. Good luck to you. Always go with your gut, you know your baby better than any doctor out there. :)

Brandy - posted on 08/26/2010

my sister breast fed her kids all time and they are healthy and im breast feedin mine and hes just fine

Carrie - posted on 08/26/2010

My little guy has always been at the low end of the weight and length charts, and at his year check-up he was below the chart weight-wise. Our doc wasn't concerned, as he was always small, and he said that as babies grow up they get more active and therefore burn more calories. Our little one eats 3 meals, a snack and still nurses 3 times while awake and once at night, so I think as long as he's happy and hitting milestones, he's fine! It's hard to handle pediatricians like yours, but there are so many doctors out there you can find one that you would be comfortable with. You shouldn't be doubting yourself because your doctor is uninformed!
And about the iron-our pediatrician's office did a blood test when he was 9 months old, and there were no signs of anemia. Our little guy doesn't get formula or cereal and was doing just fine with iron! He gets some from meat and veggies, and they still have a fair amount of the iron you gave them before they were born. Don't worry-you're doing great!