BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

My friend just had a baby and has been calling me for nursing advice.
She said her ped told her, after every nursing session to give the baby 1/2 oz of formula so he gets Vitamin D.
I'm not a ped obviously but if I were my friend I'd be switching doctors b/c I have never heard such a little and it doesn't sound very pro-BF to me. Or did I miss something?

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

That seems crazy to me! I known they prescribe those vitamins which I am also skeptical about

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

I'm nursing my 3rd child and I've never heard of it?

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

OR Mom could take some vitamin D which will then be excreted in her BM, or baby can take some polyvisol...sounds like a crazy Dr

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

Because I EBF my DS, my pediatrician recommended I give him a Vitamin D supplement (she recommended Tri Vi Sol which has Vitamins A, D, and C) but she NEVER said anything about giving DS formula. I haven't heard anything like that from my BF friends either.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

the babies do need vitamin d but they can get it through tri vi sol or poly vi sol vitamins. perhaps they suggested the formula bc sometimes getting the baby to eat the vitamin is hard. they are disgusting!

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

wow - talk about screwing with your supply

if he is that concerned..why would he just prescribe vitamins...

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

Thats insane! Her ped is obviously not versed in breastfeeding. I recommend she finds ped who is more knowledgeable! Ughhh...

All she needs to do is make sure the baby gets some sun everyday. My ped suggested stripping baby down to a diaper, putting her in a warm room near a window to get sunlight. She didn't recommend any supplements or artificial means since most are put out by formula companies.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

My ped did tell me to do that in the beginning because DS was a bit jaundice. Other than that, I see no reason to do it.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

Message edited 4/15/2011 11:12:02 AM.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

Half an ounce of formula would NOT give the baby enough vitamin D to make a difference! It takes an entire day's worth of formula to get the daily recommended amount of vitamin D! My ped had said to give vitamin D drops if I was BF since it was the winter and we couldn't really be outside at the time. That sounds very wrong what the doctor said to her. Unless he said to mix some vitamin D drops in with a half ounce of BM and give that to the baby or something very strange.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

very weird- we just do the vitamin drops!

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

Never heard of that. This is my second DC and ped always said as long as they are gaining weight and nursing no need for formula, they just suggested the vitamin drops

Message edited 4/15/2011 11:35:01 AM.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

I didn't want to upset my friend but told her I have NEVER heard such advice and if she really wants to nurse she should find a pediatrician who is supportive and knowledgeable.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

Odd and not necessary! I give DD those Carlson's Vit D baby drops--just one drop a day.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

My doctor told me to get liquid Vitamin D to give DS. I would switch Dr's if I were her, he doesn't sound too supportive of BFing!

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

1/2 an oz is nothing. I BF and supplemented.

It's that or the trivisol drops (which contain vitamins that are not excreted into breastmilk).

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

That sounds very crazy to me, the pediatrician is basically discouraging exclusive bfing with that advice. I'd switch docs.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

When DS was 3 months my ped suggested I start giving him Poly Vi Sol for the Vitamin D.

If her ped is telling her to supplement I'd say (s)he is not very pro bfing and would find a new doctor asap.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

I've seen so much reasearch about BM and how its different than formula in the infants gut. Once you introduce formula you basically morph the infant digestive system with regards to flora in the gut .. and peds who are up to date would know this do not recommend it. If you have to give vitamin drops.

But why can't you just bundle up the baby and take them out for some fresh air, even just outside your home? Make it a habit to get outside, vitamin D is good for mommies too! And sunlight helps to regulate sleep.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

Maybe im misunderstanding but it does not seem like the ped is telling her to supplement with formula. Only to add formula AFTER her complete nursing session is done. So the baby is still getting all the full milk, nutrients and antibodies from breastmilk but just adding some formula for vitamin D, similarly as you would just give vitamins afterwards.

Not that I agree, I would just go with vitamin drops but im just saying it doesnt sound to me like the doctor is telling her to supplement and thus this would not affect her supply at all. I understand its a different story if the mom is against giving formula at all, but it doesnt sound like formula is being recommended as a replacement for breastmilk.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

Um, a resounding NO here!

That is why there are vitamin d drops.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?

What?? That's nuts. She can give vitamin D drops if she wants.

That is terrible advice. I agree, I would switch doctors, too.

Re: BF moms - have you ever heard such a thing?