WWYD RE Health Visitor

Nicki

OP

You might find this article from the Australian breastfeeding association helpful

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/common-concerns%E2%80%93baby/baby-weight-gains

It might explain why the HV raised it as an issue and definitely gives some good ideas on how to continue exclusively breastfeeding if that is what you want to do, whilst making sure your baby is thriving.

neneromanova

Just heard back from the HV, her being worried and ringing the pediatrician straight away was nothing to worry about apparently. the ped is happy not to see us straight away and to just see how things go with a top up.

I've looked into that fenugreek stuff and I'm going to try some of that and see if that helps. Can't hurt can it

Tropez wrote: »

I admit I may be making some assumptions (but being both a man and childless I've never dealt with health visitors) but I will assume that your health visitor did a little more than turn up at an interview saying "Oh I know a lot about kids, me. Had six of them, and wouldja believe I'm a grandma at 29? Our Charlie's a right clever'un ya know."

So she likely has some qualifications and has told you what she has for a reason. Therefore, if you have reason to question what she has said or want clarification on why she has said it, I would be talking to her about it or seeking medical advice and to be honest, this thread is dangerously close to seeking medical advice.

You would be really surprised to be honest about some of the HV's out there. I've had a few on their own agenda and when I've spoken to my GP about it they've poo poo'd what the HV said as scaremongering so you really have to take them with a pinch of salt sometimes

Gillyx

Good to hear you've heard back fenugreek is good stuff, but the fact he is so content doesn't indicate supply issues. If you are concerned yourself I'd go to the GP.

My LO had a severe intolerance, and would scream for the majority of the day. My HV told me to stick a picture into his crib while he was screaming as sometimes they 'get a wee bit bored' (he was 2 weeks old) I also had another HV ask me if I was giving my milk intolerant son, yogurt. I'm sure they're not all bad but I seemed to meet some weird ones, but it's why now and from day dot I've gone to my GP with any concerns

Hope it will be sorted for you, if you're pumping I highly recommend the Medela swing

foolofbeans

Tropez wrote: »

I will assume that your health visitor did a little more than turn up at an interview saying "Oh I know a lot about kids, me. Had six of them, and wouldja believe I'm a grandma at 29? Our Charlie's a right clever'un ya know."
So she likely has some qualifications and has told you what she has for a reason. Therefore, if you have reason to question what she has said or want clarification on why she has said it, I would be talking to her about it or seeking medical advice and to be honest, this thread is dangerously close to seeking medical advice.

Unfortunately I don't think having a qualification in reading textbooks prepares you to be a mother and can mean over reliance on statistics. In order to get an average there must be below average and above average babies no?

There have been threads on here about unprofessional HV's - they are after all as human as the rest of us and therefore not quite Mary Poppins perfect.
I would say the HV was quite unprofessional in suggesting top up feeds using formula milk. If it is your choice then that is fine but it can have a huge impact on breastmilk supply. It is quite common for a baby to have sudden increases in the amount of feeds they want and so it would be good to be prepared for this and not lacking in supply. Formula top-ups can become a vicious circle where you top-up then you do not make as much breastmilk so you need to top-up.....
As others have suggested perhaps get a second opinion if you are now concerned and I would suggest going to a breastfeeding cafe or group such as La Leche League. There is usually a HV on hand there and lots of knowledgeable mums. Or ask for a second opinion from another HV or your GP. After all their 2 minutes of looking at you baby is worth so much more than your instinct and intimate knowledge of whether your baby is doing ok :rotfl:

foolofbeans

I second the fenugreek - I really do think it made a difference to my supply.
Pumping is very useful and you can freeze milk for the times you may need extra and don't want to resort to formula milk. Have you seen what it costs nowadays?! Breast feeding is definitely money saving although can be very hard work.
Good luck with your new baby x

aridjis

Health visitors are renowned for being little Hitlers, unfortunately. They often worry the mother for no reason at all, and more often than not have had no children of their own, so only have text-book knowledge.

If you're concerned, OP, take him to the dr, but otherwise just ignore the woman, or ask to see a different HV (or don't see one at all!!)

claire16c

I've had 4 friends have babies in the past year and they all Breast fed and they were all told their babies didn't weigh enough to match their charts.

Some had more helpful HV than others.

But one of my friends got a lot more help from the local breast feeding supper group. Her HV was useless.

Another friends baby had a tongue tie so there was a problem.

So I'd get a second opinion if you don't agree with them on things.

Nicki

panagia wrote: »

Health visitors are renowned for being little Hitlers, unfortunately. They often worry the mother for no reason at all, and more often than not have had no children of their own, so only have text-book knowledge.

If you're concerned, OP, take him to the dr, but otherwise just ignore the woman, or ask to see a different HV (or don't see one at all!!)

Should she also ignore the fact that the paediatrician has also said that she should try to top the baby up (either with a bottle of expressed or formula, or by feeding more frequently) and that he will see the baby if that doesn't make a difference to the weight gain?

thunderbird

If you are unsure that her advice is right then get a second opinion.

Tropez

neneromanova wrote: »

You would be really surprised to be honest about some of the HV's out there. I've had a few on their own agenda and when I've spoken to my GP about it they've poo poo'd what the HV said as scaremongering so you really have to take them with a pinch of salt sometimes

There's incompetence and agenda-pushing in nigh on every profession which is why if you have concerns you should raise them with the HV herself and/or a medical professional such as your GP.