what do you think i should do? - ds ped and I don't agree

kellibellisdillybear wrote: ok ladies-here's the scoop

went for ds 6month check up today, he's in the 85 percentile for height, 50th for weight. I think this is good, that means to me that he's working off his calories, he's very active, and healthy.He is getting solids, veggies and cereal so far. So the ped tells me that he needs to get out of our bed because that's causing him to eat too much at night, and not wanting to eat solids (because I told her I don't push them if he doesn't want to eat it) and that he should be eating about 5 jars of baby food a day and to start chicken and turkey this coming month. But he hasn't even had fruits yet. She also said I should start giving him whole juice, and not to dilute it. Everything I've read is that babies should be strictly bf for six months, and continue for a year, and it's more important than solids, and not to make it an issue if they don't want to eat solids. Why does she want him to gain weight so badly?? and we wonder why we're all obese?

Now, so you know, this is a new ped to us. We had a very young ped, she left for a new practice, now we have a very old one. She also told us last visit, when she first met Dylan that we can't use baby soap on him or he'll have derm problems later. she told us to use Dove for sensitive skin instead. She said Johnsons is the WORST thing to use for babies. Has anyone else ever heard this??

What do I do? Should I change peds all together, or just avoid doing what she says?? I'm so frustrated!

luvbug00 replied: I'd get a new one because there may be larger issues in the future and you need somone who will see eye to eye with you and know and understand the method you will be using to raise your child. No, I've not heard that. some kids have sensitive skin and any perfume may irritatate their "quacker beans".

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I see how frustrating that must be! I'm sorry. I feel that no ped should ever pass judgement on how you parent. I would expect them to argue if you were harming your child, but doesn't sound like you are one bit and sounds like your child is doing fine!

We used to have a ped that I LOVED because he would always ask me questions. He wanted to know my opinion. He never made me feel like "well I'm the doctor, I know better. This is how it is". He would tell me that parents know their own children best and that he couldn't do his job without the parents feeling comfortable telling him how they practiced things at home. I could never be with a ped that said co-sleeping is best, nor a ped that said it was wrong. I need someone to support me either way I choose.

I say go with your gut. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, so you're not going to get anywhere telling your ped that you disagree with him/her. I suggest find someone new that is more open to listening to your methods.

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: I would either swith peds or have a long talk with your current one about how you expect to be treated being a patient.

As for Johnsons...yes I have heard it is awful and that there are more chemicals in it than any other soap on the market but I still used it because i loved the smell

punkeemunkee'smom replied: I would get a new doctor!

mom2three replied: well, i am the Old Mommy here... just do what makes You feel good. that's Your baby. if the baby is hungry, the baby will let you know. go at your own pace. if you feel the doctor doesn't understand Your needs, by all means, change! noone said you have to stay! have fun, they are only young one time, and it's Short!!
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MyBrownEyedBoy replied:
I would switch peds too. You pay the doctor and you should be treated like a part of your child's care team. Logan has consistently been in the 50th for height and only the 5th for weight. But our ped says that so long as he follows his curve, no worries.
As for Johnson's, every time I use it on Logan, he breaks out. But we do use Aveeno's baby line.

A&A'smommy replied: I would DEFINITLY change ped!!

kit_kats_mom replied: I had the exact same thing happen and I found a new ped. Good luck. It can be hard to find one you love but maybe try a la leche league meeting and ask who they take their kids too. Just saying that because LLL members tend to lean towards AP parenting so if they love their ped, you may too. KWIM? If you can't find another ped then I'd just not divulge any info that isn't asked for. If they ask if the child is sleeping in a crib. Say "His bed is very safe" LOL
I"m assuming you've done your research and if you feel secure with your decisions, then don't let them try to change your mind.
Also, as for the food. Yes, most of a baby's calories should come from BM or formula for the first 6 mos. the AAP actually just upped the reccomended starting age for solids to 6 months.

ediep replied: I wpould change peds, hopef ully you can find one that you like soon!

as for the 5 jars a day...Jason NEVER ate that much even at 10 months.

NummyMommy replied: I would change Peds.....and good for you for sticking to your guns!!! You are totally right about the food issue....from what I have read (for another post) there is no way a baby "has" to be eatting 5 jars of baby food a day....and all the articles (written by Peds) I read said to judge how your baby reacts and go from there. Sounds like you got a Ped from the "old school" on feeding....which can be hard to get them to change. But the AAP recommends BM be the primary food for the first year of life. Besides 50% is right in the middle of the norm...how is that not perfect?? Since when is average bad??

amymom replied: I agree with what most are saying. Be comfortable with your doctor. If need be change to another.

Good Luck,

amynicole21 replied: If he is maintaining the same growth curve, he's doing great. And I agree with Edie - Sophia never ate 5 jars of baby food a day but she nursed until she was over 2 years old.

I've heard that about Johnson's, but we use it anyway

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I wouldn`t necessarily change peds - only because in my area, they`re had to find.

I would, though, tell this ped that you are going to do what you think is right - and that the research you`ve done (read, whatever) says that.... a, b, and c should be done this way - what are his/her arguments, suggestions, opinions.

I always 'listen' to what my kids`s doctors had to say.... but I didn`t necessarily heed their advice. The relationship between medical staff and patients is more and more being axed towards a patient self care program - as in, the patient is more and more in control of their treatments etc... because more and more patients are rising up tot he challenge of finding out everything and anything about a topic before going to the doctors for medical advice, less and less people are blindly following their doc`s advice, because doctors are not gods, and they`re not always right.

No matter which doctor / ped you go to - there will ALWAYS be some things you don`t agree on - and I figure as long as it`s really not harmful to the child - do what you think is best. If you don`t think your baby is ready for meat - then don`t give it. Whether you`re breastefeeding or bottle feeding formula or EBM, your baby has all or most of it`s nutrition from that anyways, so WHAT if you retard giving other foods?

Just remember that you need to be honest with your ped - and your ped can`t 'turn you in' for not giving your child meat... Be comfortable with your ped - ask lots of questions, and dobn`t be shy to question what they say. I used to question my kids` doctor all the time - he`d be pleased that I bothered to do some research on things - like vaccines, food, growth... whatever. It showed my kids`doctor that I was interested in what was going on and that I wasn`t going to be 'brainwashed' into doing whatever he said.

One ped`s advice is usually unique - every ped will have a different opinion - you just have to pick and choose from that opinion what suits your needs.... and what makes you feel comfortable.

Marie_S replied: 5 jars of food a day seems like way too much food for a six month old. My little guy is almost 7 months is a little over 18 pounds and is in the 95percentile for height and he eats not even half that. Your little one would probably get a sore tummy if he ate that much food. Not forgetting all the breastmilk or formula that is still taken through the day. Sounds kind of strange to me. Might be a good idea to get a second opinion.

CantWait replied: I would switch. Sounds like a load of hockabaloo. Anthony never ate that much baby food in a day, and his weight pretty much dropped off the charts at one point, he was always gaining length pretty much, just not the pounds (or even oz). As long as your little one is learning and doing most of the things that other babies his age doing physically, I wouldn't worry about it.

As for the Johnson's, Anthony is 2 and I've been using it since he 1 day old. I'm sure for babies with sensitive skin it's no good because of the perfume, but if your's isn't having any reaction, wash away.

As for he's sleeping with because you don't feed him enough, that's the first time I've heard that one. I'd say what I really think, but then my post would be deleted LOL

Go with your gutt.

kimberley replied: i agree, you should have a ped who you are comfortable with. none of my kids ate that much at that age (Jade was ebf for 11mos) and didn't know what juice was til over a year. actually, my ped says juice is a total waste of calories and avoid it all together.

DansMom replied: I have an older ped who is wrong about stuff like that. I just don't do what he says, while looking for a ped who is more suited to my philosophy. Cosleeping, night nursing, getting nutrition from breastmilk at this age is all good. Your child's growth curve is great. The pediatrician can't make you do anything, and if you know better, follow your own philosophy. There is a LOT of knowledge out there that supports your approach.

My2Beauties replied: My daughter was always in the 90-95 percentile for weight and she never so much as ate that many jars of baby good a day, maybe 2-3 at the most! She was just a big baby! 50 percent is average and is perfect if you ask me. That is great! I would switch peds if you feel uncomfortable about his advice! Believe me it will save your sanity in the long run! I still can't get over 5 jars of baby food a day and to start the meat this young, my DD didn't eat the meat jars of food until she was almost 1!!!!! My ped told me to start her on cereal first for 2 months when she was 4 months old and then to start jar food when she was 6 mos old. She was constipated from cereal so I just stopped giving it to her, she took to fruits and veggies really well! Listen to your childs cues - some children aren't ready for jar food at 6 months or even 8 months!!! But 5 jars - I'm still shaking my head over that!

julesmom replied: I'd find a new one, definitely. You are going to dread going to the ped. if you don't.

I second what everyone said about the baby food and bf exclusively for 6mths.
My ped. says no more then 4oz of juice a day. (mine got more, but I don't tell)

maestra replied: Giselle is 7 months now, and her ped goes with the AAP and said wait until 6 months to try solids, and even then only twice a day. Wait until 9 months before introducing meat.

Sometimes Giselle wants solids, sometimes she doesn't. We don't push it. We offer it to her- and sometimes she is very eager, other times, she doesn't want it at all.

If you can find another ped in your area, I would definately switch. I know that I want to feel like my ped is going to offer support that goes along with my style of parenting. But I also know that even different peds within one practice can be very different. Is there another ped in the practice that you could try out?

Good luck!

NummyMommy replied:
You know....thats so true.....most people think they have to do whatever the doctor says but you don't. Even if my child were sick I'd do some research or get a second opinion (as long as it wasn't an emergency) if my heart told me the doctor was wrong.

mommyx3 replied: Our Dr recomended breastmilk or formula until after 6 months. It sounds as if what you have been doing is right for your baby- each child is different and I think some people think that the more rolls on a baby the healthier they are. Although those fat rolls sure look cute it doesn't make them any healthier than a thiner baby, and 50th percentile sounds just right! Maybe your Dr has some old fashioned views and doesn't like to change. I would go with what your baby tells you and not push solids. From what I have read you should watch how much juice your baby is getting too- if your baby doesn't mind the diluted juice why not keep offering it. As far as Johnsons baby products I used them on my 2 older children and 4 month old and have not had any problems yet. I would look into a new ped and find one whose views match your own. Good luck.

3_call_me_mama replied: Question for you?
Did they say five jars or five servings?
Five servings is 2 1/2 jars stage 2 food a day, not unrealistic for a 6 month old. But 5 jars that's 10 servings of fruits adn veggies a day

I'm not sure i would switch either. I would make it clear what i fel is best for my child, and hear their advice, but do what I felt was right. As far a jarred meat, vegetarian children never eat it, so there is no rule saying when to have it.
OUr ped said to try meats around 8 months if we wanted, but yogurt and cottage cheese adn tofu adn other protein of that type anywhere from 7-8 months if we wanted and there were no know allergies in our family. As far as co-sleeping adn night nursing, that is your decision, if the DR. isn't getting up at night with the kid, they should have no say in that matter:)
Good luck to you! Hope the next visit goes better:)