My seven year old was in the 5th percentile throughout his first and second
years (weighed 18 lbs at one year and 22 lbs at 2 yrs), but always very
healthy (and still is).  I had been with his pediatrician since he was nine
months old.   She knew that I came to her practice interested in a
pediatrician that felt comfortable with children nursing at his age.  She
told me OF COURSE.  (The previous pediatrician was overly concerned about
his delayed interest in solids.)

At the two year check-up, with a clean bill of health, but still 5th
percentile, she gave me 2 sample six-packs of of toddler milk and told me to
offer him one per day just to make sure he gets everything he needs.  I was
shocked and told her that there couldn't possibly be anything in those
containers that was healthier than my breast milk, which she knew he was
still receiving.

Her response was that it was just a way to make sure that he wasn't missing
anything.  I responded, "But you just told me how healthy he is."  She said
that in case he got sick he had very little weight to lose and that could be
a problem.  I restated my doubts and said that lots of things in the
ingredients even looked unhealthy.  Her response was "They use it at Texas
Children's Hospital, I'm sure it's just fine."

And we talk about the influence of formula samples on mothers!!

Gina Nigro, LLL Madrid

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