I took Rudy in for his 15 month well check this morning. Bleh. I'm not a fan of his doctor. I've been trying to stick with him, 'cause he's within walking distance from my house (a plus since the car is busy getting Jason around town most of the time), but I think I'm gonna have to jump ship and find myself some greener seaweed.
Rudy's doctor is old, old school, an uninterested. Remember how Rudy fractured his skull? Well, when I mentioned it to his dr., and asked how he thought the healing was going, the dr. was all surprised and asked how did that happen? I briefly explained and told him that we'd been in on one of his off days. Oh, he said, and that was all. Didn't even ask me when it happened. Brushed his hand over Rudy's head, and moved on to the next step of the well check. Unimpressive.
He's been insinuating that I should have Rudy weaned from nursing since his nine month check. (I think he might actually still believe that formula is the cure all to infant woes and I'm cheating my son out of the great benefits of a scientifically formulated diet!) Grrr. It almost makes me want to join Le Leche League. Almost.
If ever Rudy is an "outlier" on the growth charts, this guy makes statements about impending death or disability, while at the same time doing nothing and telling me we'll just keep an eye on things. Last time it was his head size. The dude's had me eyeing my little man's noggin' for 3 months, wondering if everything is ok. In our check today, he didn't even follow up about his head size concern from last time. I had to bring it up. "Oh- looks fine" is all he said. Now he's "watching" for autism or hearing disability 'cause Rudy's only word so far is 'wawa' for water. Never mind that he communicates with signs, follows directions, and is a social butterfly at any playgroup. Arrrgh!
But here's the salty lemon juice on the papercut that drove me to grasshoppers today: Rudy isn't growing. At his 12 month appointment, he wieghed 23.1 lbs. Today he weighed in at 22.84 lbs. In 3 months, he's actually lost a few ounces. He's exactly the same height as three months ago-30.5 inches. Maybe the dr. is just needlessly freaking me out again, but that sounds a bit concerning to me. The dr. says I need to nurse less (big surprise) and give more cow's milk. My WIC nutritionist said last week that I need to cut back on dairy and give more meat. Le Leche League says screw the world and nurse your five year old topless on the subway. I wish there was a toddler nutrition section in the Doctrine and Covenants! ;)
I think what's bothering me so much about this news is that nutrition is such a fundamental need. If I can't properly provide for my child's nutrition, even after reading toddler nutrition books, being enrolled in a government sponsored child nutrition program, and following my own good sense, I must be a lost cause! It strikes at the core of my parental competence. Ugh! I've been feverishly trying not to get freaked out about Rudy's eating the rest of the day, but I kept finding myself trying to sneak a few extra calories into him. I even bought him a brand new insulated straw sippy cup with construction trucks on it to be his special milk cup. I drank milk (and served it to Rudy) with lunch and dinner, making a big deal out of how tasty milk is and how lucky we are to get to drink it. Ridiculous. Maybe someday my parental self esteem will be made of steel and I'll be able to get through these kind of minor issues without grasshoppers, but today I am very glad we bought some for a treat last week. I even served a few to Rudy, telling myself, "Apparently his nutrition can't get any worse, so what the heck, I'll serve chocolate covered cookies to the kid I normally don't even serve juice to because it's sugar content is so high." Bleh. I gotta get a grip. Maybe that yoga session will help me find my center again. In the mean time, there are only 9 cookies left. I think I'll save them for later. :)
My poor little malnurished child, filling his cheeks with empty calories. Doesn't he look miserable? :)
4 comments:
You definitely need a new doctor!!!! What a jerk. He made me mad just reading about it, and Rudy is not even my baby. I think Rudy sounds well nourished, well adjusted, and very very smart!!
Thanks, Sam. You're the friend every woman needs after hard day at the dr.'s. :)
Sad! You were holding it in very well when you told me just about Rudy not growing. I agree with the change of doctor idea. It's so frustrating to me when I think something's a big deal and the doctor doesn't (even if the doctor is right which was the case in a situation I'm thinking of with Amy.) And the pushing you to wean Rudy? Totally rediculous. I agree that it's confusing and difficult with all the differing views out there. I also think Rudy is nourished, well adjusted, and very very smart. And cute. But it isn't your fault if he WON'T drink milk. Just keep doing your best - because you're a great mom!
GET A NEW DOCTOR!! And try not to worry about what "professionals" say. Just because they spent a gazillion years in formal education doesn't mean they know what their talking about...right? (think about hypnobirthing) But seriously, Rudy is going to turn out fine. Do what you feel right about in your gut.
Way back when we were pregnant and we were talking to Jen Avrey about immunizations, she said something that has always stuck with me...YOU'RE THE MOMMY!!
Whenever I get all worried about Sunshine not growing (she's been in the 20th percentile or under since shortly after birth), or not eating, or not eating "right", or not sitting up soon enough, or rolling over, or walking, or.....
I just think, "I'M THE MOMMY!!!" I spend all day with her, and I KNOW what she needs. (and sometimes I think, "if a child raised in the ghetto, or a mom high on crack can raise a child that turns out reasonably well, then SURELY Sunshing will be okay!!" maybe it's not the best thought, but it DOES bring me some comfort.)
ANYWAY! whew, You're doing great.
See you at playgroup tomorrow!
Post a Comment