Wow.. it's been a long time!

[keepholdingon]

I haven't posted on here much since my LO was born. I can't believe he's 7 months today!

We've been doing really well. He's an awesome baby, sleeps well, laughs, plays etc. The only struggle we've had was with breastfeeding at first. I doubted myself and supplemented with formula for a week when LO was a week old and it completely diminished my milk supply and I had to build myself back up to where I am today =) It took a lot of dedication (pumping every 2 hours, and even at night), transitions from only formula to breastmilk and formula and then to only breastfeeding! Woohoo!

Anyway, LO has always been a bit slow to gain weight, but was meeting all milestones etc. I'm 5'1 and 125 lbs and hubby is 6'4ish and 230 lbs, so it's no wonder that my son is thin but tall.

Well, because of his weight "issues", we've been going back to the doctor every month for a general, quick weight check and exam to make sure everything is good. He had his 7 month checkup today and he's up to 16 pounds (was 8 at birth). He was 15 lbs 3 ounces a month ago

My usual doctor was not in today so I had to see someone else. I just wanted to get some clarity cause I left feeling super confused

He told me that after 6 months, breast milk is not enough and that I need to be giving my son formula and solids. I told him he's been eating solids 2-3 times a day for about 2 months now, and he goes "no, that's not solids, you need to give him mashed up banana first for a week and then go on to something else". I said to him, he's been eating banana already... we started solids when he was a little over 5 months. And then he explained to me that I can continue breastfeeding him if I want but I definitely need to give him formula after 6 months.

I guess I'm a little confused, because he's never been unhealthy, just a little slow to gain weight (but is on his growth curve). He's meeting all milestones, is happy, poops and pees regularly, sleeps well, etc.

He wasn't saying it like, "I think you need to supplement because he's too underweight", he was basically telling me to put LO onto only formula and solids only because he's past 6 months old.

I know WHO and CDC here in the US recommend breastfeeding until 1 so I'm super stumped??? Am I interpreting this wrong? I thought this meant I could breastfeed and provide solids as a compliment to BF'ing. I nurse 6-8 times a day and he eats 3-4 ounces of solids 2 to 3 times a day.

Am I supposed to be breastfeeding and formula feeding and solid feeding?

 

[hopingforit]

As long as your baby is gaining weight properly now, there is no need to give formula. If he is losing weight/not gaining enough, I would think the solids should help with that or maybe try to breastfeed more often or longer so he gets more milk.

 

[keepholdingon]

As long as your baby is gaining weight properly now, there is no need to give formula. If he is losing weight/not gaining enough, I would think the solids should help with that or maybe try to breastfeed more often or longer so he gets more milk.

Nope, hasn't lost any weight. He has never had a weight gain issue, it was just that he was in the 15% for weight and I think they wanted him to be closer to 50%, but it was my understanding that as long as he follows his own growth curve then he's fine (plus meeting all developmental milestones).

 

[Millnsy]

Unbelievable advice! I'm no healthcare professional but as far as I know there is no reason to stop breast feeding and switch to formula at any stage. Breast milk has all the calories and vitamins that your baby needs. Food before 1 is for fun and they should still be getting most of their calories from milk, be that formula or breast. The advice about introducing 1 food at a time is something to do with allerg prevention but I think it's not current advice. After 6 months they can eat whatever we have as log as its not processed salty rubbish!

Keep going, you've done we'll to overcome supply issues to get this far. Don't lose confidence now. The only reason either of mine had any formula after 10 month was a couple of bottles on nursery days but if it hadnt been for that they would have stayed on boogie milk exclusively.

 

[hopingforit]

As long as your baby is gaining weight properly now, there is no need to give formula. If he is losing weight/not gaining enough, I would think the solids should help with that or maybe try to breastfeed more often or longer so he gets more milk.

Nope, hasn't lost any weight. He has never had a weight gain issue, it was just that he was in the 15% for weight and I think they wanted him to be closer to 50%, but it was my understanding that as long as he follows his own growth curve then he's fine (plus meeting all developmental milestones).

My babies were a month early and DS is 5% for weight and DD 10% but I've been told as long as they are gaining on their own growth curve, just like you, that it is fine.

 

[jessicaR4bbit]

That doctor is an idiot. Offence intended. And what's with the advice about mashed up banana? Lol!

Ignore this fool, you're doing wonderfully, just keep at it.