Annoyed at my son's GI doctor

[Krysta622]

Andrew is 5 months old, EBF. Went to the GI doctor today for his follow up and he is weighing in at a whopping 16 lbs 5 oz. He nurses every 3-5 hours during the day, sometimes more frequently at night, but is also known to sleep for 6-7 hours some nights. He's satisfied, he's gaining weight, he's got the proper amount of dirty diapers, but the GI was pushing solids on me. I told him we were going to start sometime next month, when he is 6 months old. He didn't seem thrilled with my answer and asked why. I said, isn't the current recommendation 6 months? He said no, that it was 4 months. And even though he's healthy, he needs texture. WTF, like if I don't shove rice cereal down my BABY'S throat pronto, he will NEVER eat solid food. I'm feeling pressured, but I still believe I am doing right by my child to wait. He does not sit unassisted, and still has some tounge thrust reflux, which I felt to cornered to mention to the doctor. Just venting...

[FunLuvinMommA]

Jan. 19, 2008 at 11:49 AM Screw him, you're doing what's best.  I'd wait 'til 7-8 months.... maybe longer if the baby isn't showing signs.  Stick to your gut!!  Yes 'em all to death.. You are the one feeding him, he'll continue to thrive and no one will know the difference!  Stay tough!!  I'm behind you 100%!

[pamperedmomi]

Jan. 19, 2008 at 4:55 PM

My pediatrician tried to tell me that my 3rd son was not getting enough food when he was around 6 months.. He was gaining weight, had the right amount of wet diapers too.  He wasn't sleeping through the night, but he had breathing issues that caused that...  I just smiled at the dr then said okay, he is content now and then I cram all that food you want in his little belly and then he won't sleep because he is uncomfortable.  Then when he is 2 you will tell me to put him on a diet because he eats too much.  I don't think so.  The drs have a chart that the gov (I beleive) regulates what the norms should be.  I'm sorry my child was uniquely hand crafted by God.  Why should I now try to put him on a chart and force him to follow the norm!!  I just kept doing what I wanted.  I exclusively bf until he was almost 8 months, then started with the rice cereal.  Now he is now a thriving almost 4 yr old.

I have to add that when he was a yr he had surgery on his airway..from the antibodics he got C_Diff (spl) and stopped growing.  I told my dr that something wasn't right and it took them 2 months to listen to me and figure out what the prob was.  I go to the ped ( I don't see the one that didn't listen to me) for the check ups, then I take the "advise" that they give and then my husband and I discuss what we would like to do with our children.  We know them best, not a text book.

 

If I were you, I would just do what you feel in your heart is right for your baby.

[Rushie12]

Jan. 22, 2008 at 1:10 PM You responded to my post in the Breastfeeding Group. I agree with you and applaud you for standing up to that 'specialist'. There is really no rush, and your son is doing great!!!

[LeanneC]

Jan. 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM

What an idiot!  I would print out the AAP's recommendations and fax them to his office, or drop them off.  You would seriously think that doctors who treat infants for gastro-intestinal issues would be up-to-date with the current information on the subject!

 David didn't start until almost 8 months because he wasn't sitting up until then and really just wasn't interested.  He has NO issues with texture, like many kids do and I attribute that to him never having pureed food.  Also, the longer you wait to introduce, the longer your babe can digest a good portion of the iron from your milk.  I remember Alex had iron issues, right?  Stick to your guns, you know what you're doing!  :)

[antivaccinemom]

Jan. 30, 2008 at 11:45 AM My son was 20 pounds at 6 months and was begging me for food. He was so interested in it and what I was eating, crying if he didn't get any. All kids are different. And even when I did start giving him food, it was tastes of food and I nursed him first before the meal so that the food would not replace the milk. He didn't start eating food 3x day really until he was about 10 mos. and he was thrilled to get it and stuff it in. That DR is an idiot and you are doing the right thing.

[NuMommie06]

Feb. 10, 2008 at 11:07 PM

Actually my daughter never ate cereal, she hated the stuff (can't blame her my milk tasted best by itself!!). I waited until she was sitting up and started trying to grab my food then started introducing food to her, as long as you do it in their time, everything will be fine.
I think it's the kids who are forced to stick to the charts that turn out to be picky eaters!