Hi All and Lori,

Lori, first of all, how is the relationship between you and your daughter?
If it is a good one and she listens to your information and guidance, then
gently (and tactfully) explain to her that her Ped really doesn't know what
he is talking about.

If she is a typical teenager and not prone to listening to mom, then I would
give her some books to read that will reassure her that she is doing great
and that her Ped is the one who ought to feel insecure with his knowledge
level, and I would make myself, available to answer questions or explain
things that she does not understand.

This Dr is giving out the stuff he learned in med school (probably) that we
now know is not accurate.  Even the need for vitamins in a fully BF baby is
not neccessary.   Next step I would take, as a mother, would be to call the
Dr or write a letter expressing my concern for the information that the Ped
gave, and telling him that your once confident daughter is now insecure with
her parenting skills.  In this day and age it is a wonderful thing when a
teenage mother can do such a great job with her baby.

As snotty as I can be sometimes, I would even be thinking about changing
Peds...but then I get tired of having to put up with stupid misinformation
from HCPs who ought to know better, or at least ought to have the humility
to say "You know, BF is not my area of specialty...Let me refer you to XYZ,
IBCLC,"  which is why we just changed Peds...

It is sad that a Dr has the "power"  to not only cause a new teenage mom to
feel insecure, but also to cause an experienced mother to feel insecure.
Look at what we all go through every day to try help our clients/moms feel
empowered about their choices.  Just to have it dashed because some HCP
(with NO BF EDUCATION!!) gives out advice that is often simply wrong or
outdated, or worse yet - harmful.

Lori, if your daughter wants to "talk" to someone who is not mom, tell her
to feel free to e-mail me anytime.  Have I been a teenage mom?  You bet ya.
Was it hard?  You bet ya.  Was it worth it?  You better believe it!

Good luck!

Jay
Jay Simpson, CLE
Sacramento (State Capital), California, West Coast, USA
"No Miracles performed here, just a lot of love and hard work."