Pediatrician told me to stop nursing my 12 mo. old

[A_Magical_Childhood]

I'm glad you have a more BF-friendly doctor to choose from at the practice. Keep in mind that doctors are often 25% knowledge and 75% opinion, and you don't have to follow anybody else's opinions!

Even the American Pediatric Association says *at least* 12 months and after that as long as baby and mother desire, not to mention WHO recommending 2 years. The science, the medical community and all major health organizations are on your side.

~Alicia

[momma2two]

Alicia, Connorleesmom, and Naomi - so true.

I should maybe change the icon for this thread to a instead of because so many people are great lactivists!!!

[babymomma]

I am going through the same thing right now! I just took my son in for his 18 month checkup, and the pedi told me the same thing. "It's time to stop breastfeeding" and "it's time he sleeps in his own crib". My son is only nursing before naptime, bedtime, and nighttime. I am also trying a baby-led approach to nursing and sleeping. You know what? You know what's best for your baby. And yes, breastfeeding until 2 years is recommended by WHO. I might be in the process of finding a different pediatrician.

[apmommy]

Originally Posted by babymomma

I am going through the same thing right now! I just took my son in for his 18 month checkup, and the pedi told me the same thing. "It's time to stop breastfeeding" and "it's time he sleeps in his own crib". My son is only nursing before naptime, bedtime, and nighttime. I am also trying a baby-led approach to nursing and sleeping. You know what? You know what's best for your baby. And yes, breastfeeding until 2 years is recommended by WHO. I might be in the process of finding a different pediatrician.

I'm so glad to hear about so many committed mommies, and sad to hear of the misguided opinons of some pedis.

I had a similar situation when my DD was 10 months old, and I was pregnant w/my DS, but with an ob/gyn. The ob/gyn became alarmed, telling me that I would spontaneously miscarry, and I was wrecking the health of both me and my unborn child. I told the doc that I would sign whatever she wanted, absolving them of liability, but to never say that to me again. So, next visit she gave me the same speech. So, I went to the head of the practice to alert her that one of her staff was mis-informing patients. She thanked me for bringing it to her attention, asked me to stay with the practice, and I told her that if one of her staff was so mis-informed about one thing, they could be misinformed about others, and that I had no choice but to leave. I found another practice that asked me why I bothered to inform them that I was nursing why pregnant. I couldn't stop smiling! :>

Then I moved to another state. When the pedi discovered I was tandem nursing my 17 month old DD and newborn DS she told me that I was jeopardizing my health and the baby's. I said that both he & I gained weight after birth, so what was she basing this on? Needless to say, I left that practice, too.

GOOD FOR YOU for listening to your mama-instinct and questioning suggestions.

[SGarlock]

So glad to read you have another option/plan. I switched pediatricians, within the practice, due to the way I was treated about breastfeeding, weight gain and vaccination isses with my first child. Once I made the switch, even though it was uncomfortable at first to specifically request one doctor and not the others, it empowered me to feel in control over the care given to my family. With my first child, I felt more vulnerable to the supposed medical advice, more like opinions, given to me by the pediatrician. Once I dealt with this vulnerable feeling by switching, getting support through LLL, and family, I felt empowered. Now, I have no problems dealing with all the pediatricians about my own alternative health choices for my family. I come to the appointments with information in my purse, just in case I need to back up something they don't understand and have a couple times opened discussions with the pediatricians that I think is healthy for everyone involved. The practice now knows who I am, what I believe and they respect my decisions and I can now see any of them.

[JenM1023]

Originally Posted by PaxMamma

hmmm, it sounds like your pediatrician is ignorant of both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. the AAP recommends a MINIMUM of one year and the WHO a MINIMUM of 2 years. i'd print a copy of the guidelines for him and present them at your next visit.

continue to trust your mama instincts!

this is a great idea!

I'm so sorry you encountered a silly pediatrician. I have had my share as well, so I can relate!! We move around a bit due to my husband's job in the military, so finding a good pediatrician is always kind of a challenge.
At my DD's 18 month appt- (I was still breastfeeding on demand at the time) the Pediatrician looked at me like I was nuts and said "Ohhh you are one of THOSE parents.." and also said something about me being a "hippy".

I went to her superior and they did not take to her comments too well.

[connerleesmom]

Originally Posted by JenM1023

this is a great idea!

I'm so sorry you encountered a silly pediatrician. I have had my share as well, so I can relate!! We move around a bit due to my husband's job in the military, so finding a good pediatrician is always kind of a challenge.
At my DD's 18 month appt- (I was still breastfeeding on demand at the time) the Pediatrician looked at me like I was nuts and said "Ohhh you are one of THOSE parents.." and also said something about me being a "hippy".

I went to her superior and they did not take to her comments too well.

Wow, it's amazing what people will say even when they are a professional!

[APmomof4]

Originally Posted by momma2two

T

I don't think it is time to stop nursing her! She gets 3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day PLUS breastmilk. I don't nurse her right before she eats so that she is hungry for the solids. I let her feed herself until she is done. Then she nurses before her nap, sometimes one afternoon nurse, before bed, and then at night. I'm trying to follow the Baby Led Weaning philosophy and I think it is working.


Thank you,
Stephanie

actually, you should probably nurse her before she eats solids. bm is the most perfect food you can give her...solids are not going to be nutritionally superior in any way. im not saying that she WILL gain weight if you bf before meals, but she could. Her weight may simply be a factor of her genetics and nothing to do w/ what she is/is not eating. But offering bm prior to eating solids is what is actually recommended to get the most nutrition into our babies.