I would be tempted to call the office manager & complain about that doctor's bedside manner. I don't take kindly to jerks.
I second this. They should know how she is with patients. Maybe she was having a bad morning and her horrendous bedside manner was a one time thing, but then there should be an apology. I work in healthcare and have very little patience for providers who are short/rude with patients. It is not difficult to have common courtesy with other people!
It sounds like you're doing a great job . I am by no means an expert, but if you're doing the minimum number of feedings, DD is gaining weight, and has enough wet and dirty diapers, then there's no reason to think she'll continue to gain weight. Find supportive people and keep in contact with them, whether it's a BF support group, posting here, mom friends, or an LC. Is there an LC with your pedi's office or the hospital you delivered at? I was able to email questions to our pedi's LC and get answers fairly quickly that way without having to go to an appointment.
I'm sorry you left the office upset, and agree you should consider switching doctors if you do not feel comfortable with who you saw today. Bedside manner is no joke. I have switched practices for less.
That said, I would try not to be offended. She's looking out for her patient (your kid). She wants to make sure that her patient is seen at appropriate intervals, and that her patient is gaining weight. Her delivery could have been better, but I can't fault her for wanting those two things for your kid.
If it were me, I would KOKO with the nursing and reassess the idea of supplementing if necessary after the next weight check. Hang in there, momma, you can do it!
Also is the 2 week appt normal? We saw our pedi at one week but won't see him again until 2 months unless there is an issue.
We were seen at 3 days old and then 2 weeks...for weight I guess. I didn't get her In until 3 weeks, but I didn't realize it was that big of a deal ( I guess I could have has my mom bring her).
I think it it was same for DS but it was a different practice...different state
I'm sorry you left the office upset, and agree you should consider switching doctors if you do not feel comfortable with who you saw today. Bedside manner is no joke. I have switched practices for less.
That said, I would try not to be offended. She's looking out for her patient (your kid). She wants to make sure that her patient is seen at appropriate intervals, and that her patient is gaining weight. Her delivery could have been better, but I can't fault her for wanting those two things for your kid.
If it were me, I would KOKO with the nursing and reassess the idea of supplementing if necessary after the next weight check. Hang in there, momma, you can do it!
You are right...I guess I just wanted a little more empathy and her presentation needed work . It took me by surprise and shook my confidence. But I now I'll be more aware of my feedings.
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!
Yes, it's true, my LC (who was a OB nurse previously) said that the IV fluids you receive during delivery inflate the baby's weight.
FWIW, it took DD a month to get back to her birth weight.
It's tough, but keep going. My dr had my feed DD, pump right after she ate, and then give her a bottle. DD was a "lazy eater" and would take forever. This helped her gain weight, and I never had to supplement.
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!
My lc confirmed this. So some of that weight gain wasn't really weight, but rather excess fluid.
You're doing a great job - sorry that dr was such a jerk to you. Her attitude is heinous to a pp mom.
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!
I think my supply is ok....I wet thru my shirt after a few hours if I don't wear a nursing pad. I never have felt letdown, never did with DS either but seem to "see milk" relatively quickly on her lips. She seems satisfied and has a large amount of wet/dirty diapers, hence my not feeling too concerned until today! I will watch what I'm eating ( enough fatty foods) to make sure she is getting good stuff.
Honestly, if there is an upwards curve on the weight gain, that's usually enough to placate the doctors…every baby gains differently…as long as the numbers are moving upwards it working as it should.
Post by gogadgetgo on Nov 17, 2014 12:40:39 GMT -5
Sorry you're dealing with this stress. Sounds like you're doing a great job to me. The LC at my hospital always told me they look for weight gain of .5-1 oz a day or 5-8 oz a week. Here's the Kelly mom article about it:
kellymom.com/bf/normal/weight-gain/
Tritto the bf support group and weighed feeds. Those saved my sanity when i had ds1. And if you want to see an additional LC, a lot of time the visit will be covered by insurance. I had to submit my super bill and I was good to go.
Post by chickens987 on Nov 17, 2014 12:51:21 GMT -5
Ditto everyone else to trust your gut. DD lost a lot of weight in the hospital but was having a ton of dirty and wet diapers so I resisted supplementing, fed her on a rigid 3/4 hour schedule and she gained it all back quickly.
You're in nova right? I've heard the innova and VHC bfing support groups are good. I went to the breastfeeding center in dc, it was great and the LCs do home visits too if you want to do a weighted feed and aren't up to going out yet.
I agree with the others. Do not tolerate that sort of treatment from a care provider. She is an idiot.
And you are doing great -- keep up the good work. Your baby is happy and healthy and eating just fine. The weight checks are a good gut check, but they all grow at different rates. As long as the scale goes up, you're good to go.
Anecdotal, but everyone I know who had a weight gain scare in the early months ended up having a monster older baby. My BFF had a very similar exp to yours a month in with a crappy pedi and her DD (8 months) is now the same size as DS (14.5 months)
Ditto everyone else to trust your gut. DD lost a lot of weight in the hospital but was having a ton of dirty and wet diapers so I resisted supplementing, fed her on a rigid 3/4 hour schedule and she gained it all back quickly.
You're in nova right? I've heard the innova and VHC bfing support groups are good. I went to the breastfeeding center in dc, it was great and the LCs do home visits too if you want to do a weighted feed and aren't up to going out yet.
Thank you.....yes we are in NoVa. I'm mad cause I didn't utilize the lactation specialists at VHC after delivery, cause she latched right away and seemed fine ( DS had latch issues) but I should have had someone just check. I will definitely check those out, thanks!
No it wasn't. Is this common there? ( we haven't had to use a military clinic during DHs active duty thankfully cause we lived far enough from post).
Oh no, not common at all in my experience! I was going to suggest a way to report it if it was. I have used military clincs for the last 8 years and have had overall great care. They get a bad rap but I haven't had any complaints other than pharmacy wait times.
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.
I couldn't have said it better. I totally agree with Token. That Dr is a total bitch, don't see her again. It sounds like you're doing GREAT! You sound totally on top of everything, and very in-tune with your baby. Keep up the good work!