Should I be worried? BF frustration from Dr

[daisy24342]

Ok just came back from DD 2/3 week appt and I feel like shit.  Saw a different dr from her first appt and this lady knew how to bring on thr guilt.  She walks in and says " why is this a 3 week apt and not a 2 week apt"?  
Nice to meet you too!!  I was a bit stunned at her abruptness but explained I had to delay her apt due to my being on bed rest for two weeks after delivery ( backstory: back pain associates with epi complications).  

So DD is back to her birth weight exactly.  Was 7lbs 15 oz at birth, went down to 7, 6oz at last apt, and now is back to 7 15.  I thought she may gain more cause she was cluster feeding early this week but I guess not.  Dr was like " she needs to gain weight".  The way she said it and her questions after just deflated me......I felt way more confident this time round with BF her than my son, and was not stressing it.....but now I am!  We have a weight check next week to see how it goes, and it will take all that I have not to obsess all week about feeding her enough.  Should I be worried?  Should I supplement?  Everything in me says she is ok, and not to freak out yet, but I don't want to do her a disservice.  

On top of that, her hips are shallow and look like dysplasia like her bro, so she has an appt tomorrow with orthopedic specialist and wil probably end up in a Pavlik Harness for the next few months.  I am handling that ok I just hope it doesn't disrupt our BF routine.  

I left dr in tears.....PP hormones are so fun....

[Deleted]

That is a heinous doctor. Never see her again. Ask to never see her again.

Back to birth weight by 3 weeks is fine. It's not fast, but it's fine. Get the weight check in a week. Don't supplement, just keep feeding frequently. If you feel your baby is ok, you are likely right. You got this.

If you can, seek out a BF support group just to get your confidence back. You are doing a GREAT job.

[Deleted]

Nov 17, 2014 9:50:07 GMT -5 daisy24342 said:

 Should I be worried?  Should I supplement?  Everything in me says she is ok, and not to freak out yet, but I don't want to do her a disservice.  

Hugs.  I'm sorry the doctor had such bad bedside manner.  I don't think it sounds like you need to worry or supplement yet.  Trust your insticts and good luck at the weight check.

[water*drop]

I'm sorry the doctor was so short with you!! Did you have an IV during labor? I've heard that can artificially increase the baby's birth weight, but I don't know if that's true. Is there any chance you can do a weighed feeding sometime soon? My pediatrician office will let you do them if you call first so they can make sure the scale is free, but breastfeeding support groups usually do them, too. If your gut says that she's okay and she isn't acting like she's NOT okay, I'd probably try not to stress over it until your weight check next week.

[karinothing]

That Dr. is a jerk. She is gaining weight right? She is back to her birth weight, which means she weighed less before right?

I think I would just focus on feeding her frequently (even though I am sure you feel like you do this already!)

[pugz]

fuck that doctor, you are doing great

[tealblue]

It's so stressful to bf a baby.... So many unknowns and a lot of stress on the moms. I am so sure you are doing everything correctly. Just keep feeding on demand and go to the weight check. See if your hospital has a bf support group or if you can see the LC there and do a weighed feeding. The dr sounds like a huge bitch, so I'm sorry you had a bad time there.

[daisy24342]

Nov 17, 2014 9:57:31 GMT -5 water*drop said:

I'm sorry the doctor was so short with you!! Did you have an IV during labor? I've heard that can artificially increase the baby's birth weight, but I don't know if that's true. 

That's interesting.  I did have an IV, but never heard of this.  I will ask for a weighted feed next week!  Thanks for suggestion!

[Odonata]

Uh, I HATE doctors like that. I had a nasty run in with one while pregnant. Do they really think talking that way or having that mannerism helps at all? I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I would definitely make sure you don't have her again.

I have very little experience with BF but I agree that going to a local support group might make you feel better and calm your fears. Do you have an LC you can call and talk to for now? When I was trying to BF and had issues I found it made me feel better to be able to call someone and just talk it out.

[daisy24342]

Nov 17, 2014 10:02:26 GMT -5 karinothing said:

That Dr. is a jerk. She is gaining weight right? She is back to her birth weight, which means she weighed less before right?

I think I would just focus on feeding her frequently (even though I am sure you feel like you do this already!)

Yes! Yes!  I just ended some reassurance.  I do feel like I'm feeding a lot but I'm going to pay more attention to length of feeds.  

[shellbear09]

That doctor sounds like a jerk. And I would try not to worry and I don't see any reason you need to supplement either. The hormones are no joke and I'm sure I would feel the same. I agree that a bf support group could really help you right now.

[daisy24342]

Nov 17, 2014 9:54:22 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

That is a heinous doctor. Never see her again. Ask to never see her again.

Back to birth weight by 3 weeks is fine. It's not fast, but it's fine. Get the weight check in a week. Don't supplement, just keep feeding frequently. If you feel your baby is ok, you are likely right. You got this.

If you can, seek out a BF support group just to get your confidence back. You are doing a GREAT job.

Thanks for this.  I felt like this a lot with my son, but was feeling so much more confident this time round.  I may check out a BF group like you suggested to get my confidence back.  

[daisy24342]

Damn now I am wishing I got my baby scale back from my friend before we moved.

[Deleted]

Nov 17, 2014 10:10:49 GMT -5 daisy24342 said:

Nov 17, 2014 9:54:22 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

That is a heinous doctor. Never see her again. Ask to never see her again.

Back to birth weight by 3 weeks is fine. It's not fast, but it's fine. Get the weight check in a week. Don't supplement, just keep feeding frequently. If you feel your baby is ok, you are likely right. You got this.

If you can, seek out a BF support group just to get your confidence back. You are doing a GREAT job.

Thanks for this.  I felt like this a lot with my son, but was feeling so much more confident this time round.  I may check out a BF group like you suggested to get my confidence back.  

If leaving the house is too difficult, call La Leche League on the phone and let them give you an awesome pep talk. I don't love LLL for everything, but for encouraging you in a spot like this: they are the best. And free. And just a phone call away: 877-4-LALECHE (877-452-5324).

[daisy24342]

Nov 17, 2014 10:15:23 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Nov 17, 2014 10:10:49 GMT -5 daisy24342 said:

Thanks for this.  I felt like this a lot with my son, but was feeling so much more confident this time round.  I may check out a BF group like you suggested to get my confidence back.  

If leaving the house is too difficult, call La Leche League on the phone and let them give you an awesome pep talk. I don't love LLL for everything, but for encouraging you in a spot like this: they are the best. And free. And just a phone call away: 877-4-LALECHE (877-452-5324).

Awesome..I didn't realize they did this on the phone... May be easier than getting out to a meeting!  

[dulcemariamar]

I am sorry about the rough visit. I hope you can find another pedi.

[Ashley&Scott]

What an asshole doctor! Definitely seek out a BF support group or LLL. Check your local hospital for groups, usually they're free & often meet weekly or bi-weekly.

Hang in there, you're doing a great job!

[arch01]

You're doing a great job.

DS didn't reach his birth weight until 3 weeks, even with supplementing. Our pedi said the norm is up to 3 weeks. I had a ton of fluids during labor, so his weight was pretty inflated. I had supply issues, but still-3 weeks was fine.

Definitely do a weighted feed and surround yourself with people who can support you. Confidence is key!

[xojo1]

That doctor sucks. I agree. Never see her again.
Three weeks to birth weight is fine. If she is eating well and you feel she is doing fine, trust your gut.

[cmarie11]

Nov 17, 2014 10:13:37 GMT -5 daisy24342 said:

Damn now I am wishing I got my baby scale back from my friend before we moved.

Do you have a food scale? It works in a pinch 



Oh, and screw that doctor. 

[daisy24342]

Nov 17, 2014 10:24:51 GMT -5 arch01 said:

You're doing a great job.

DS didn't reach his birth weight until 3 weeks, even with supplementing. Our pedi said the norm is up to 3 weeks. I had a ton of fluids during labor, so his weight was pretty inflated. I had supply issues, but still-3 weeks was fine.

Definitely do a weighted feed and surround yourself with people who can support you. Confidence is key!

I never thought of that until this thread.  I also had lots of fluids.  My weight went down significantly a few days later after all thr fluid loss.  

[Ashley&Scott]

I would be tempted to call the office manager & complain about that doctor's bedside manner. I don't take kindly to jerks.

[Deleted]

I am so so sorry you had to go through this. I had an issue with a pedi like this. He YELLED at me for calling the after hours line when my DS was 6 days old and screaming in pain, arching his back and clawing my chest with his tiny razor blade fingernails after each feeding. He was pooping straight blood AND covered in rash.

I changed pedis that day and never looked back. He diagnosed my son with MSPI, and called me at home each night to see how I was doing. I would advise you to change pedis.

[narockshard]

I had low supply issues with my baby, but I will say that the BF support group I went to, and also the phone calls I made to LLL, were extremely reassuring and helpful. In fact, she was somewhat a slow gainer in the beginning as well and I actually knew deep down she was hungry still, but everyone kept telling me not to worry that much about the weight gain, so it was kind of the opposite of your crappy doctor. Bottom line is, if you feel like she's fine, then I'm sure she is, and the right, knowledgeable people will let you know that too.

[soozy87]

It sounds like you are doing great! We had to switch peds after our first appointment with her. Our first one was crazy but our second and current one is great! I hope you find someone that you can be happy with.

[arch01]

Nov 17, 2014 10:28:07 GMT -5 daisy24342 said:

Nov 17, 2014 10:24:51 GMT -5 arch01 said:

You're doing a great job.

DS didn't reach his birth weight until 3 weeks, even with supplementing. Our pedi said the norm is up to 3 weeks. I had a ton of fluids during labor, so his weight was pretty inflated. I had supply issues, but still-3 weeks was fine.

Definitely do a weighted feed and surround yourself with people who can support you. Confidence is key!

I never thought of that until this thread.  I also had lots of fluids.  My weight went down significantly a few days later after all thr fluid loss.  

It was definitely one thing I found out after the fact-the LC was the one who said something, not the pedis. I adored my LC.

[stacyb1983]

((hugs)) and screw that doctor. I am sorry you had to deal with that.

Do you have a lactation support group at your hospital? My hospital had one where you could do weighted feedings. I think LLL offers them too.

[AmyRI]

Tell your regular doc that this doctor was awful and be sure to make it clear to the office staff that you won't be seen by her again. If there's an office manager, be sure to tell that person as well. Bedside manner is so important in general, but especially when newborns are involved.

I agree to reach out as much as you can, to BFing support groups or LLL. Get a weighed feed done, either at the pedi's office or a BF support group, or call a private LC if you aren't up for leaving the house again. It doesn't sound like there's a problem, but it will certainly help you be more informed and have a helpful discussion with an LC/pedi if there is a problem.

Also, consider that your baby's weight changes throughout the day. Say you had just fed her (+3oz) and she had a wet diaper (+2 oz) and was about to poop (+2oz), and conpare that to her weight 2 hours later when she's hungry, dry, and already had a BM, and it looks like your 8# baby just lost 5% of their weight in 2 hours. I also had the great experience of uncalibrated scales in my pedi's office, and one room was low by 4 oz. That's a HUGE deal when you're talking newborn weights. I was told DS was starving and I needed to supplement, and when we had a weight check the next morning in a different room he was an entire pound larger... a lot of things factor into a weight growth curve.

Mostly I'd just KOKO, though, and do the weight check next week to see that she's gaining well now. She would be telling you if she was hungry, and you'd know if she wasn't having enough wet/dirty diapers.

[redpenmama]

Don't see that doctor again. I had a bad experience (not too different from yours -- I got lectured that I wasn't nursing DS long enough -- I said about 15 min per session every 1.5-2 hrs -- even though he had doubled his birth weight, and she complained that he cried during the exam) with a pedi in our practice as DS' two-month appointment, and I won't see her again.

Anyway, are there any signs of low supply? Does baby have enough wet/dirty diapers a day? Do you feel full/letdown? Does baby seem satisfied after nursing? Personally, I would not be concerned about that weight at 3 weeks absent of any other signs of low supply. If you do think it's a supply issue, talk to an LC or try Fenugreek or lactation cookies -- I have heard they work well for many. Obviously, it's perfectly fine to supplement, but if you don't want to do that yet, I would keep on nursing on demand until the next weight check, see another pedi in the practice, and go from there.

You're doing an awesome job! Don't let one bad pedi ruin your confidence!

[AmyRI]

Nov 17, 2014 10:27:39 GMT -5 cmarie11 said:

Nov 17, 2014 10:13:37 GMT -5 daisy24342 said:

Damn now I am wishing I got my baby scale back from my friend before we moved.

Do you have a food scale? It works in a pinch 



Oh, and screw that doctor. 

Yes! Do this. We bought the same nice kitchen scale for this reason. Ours goes up to 11 pounds, so between cookie sheet and blankets, we were able to use it until DS hit about 10 pounds.