Life’s a Dance

One more pediatrician on my “never-see-again” list was added today. Elizabeth’s already erratic sleep schedule has gotten worse over the last two weeks and she is now up appx. every hour. Over the weekend it got worse, she was crabby and pulled on her ear. I decided to go get it checked just to be sure that we weren’t dealing with an ear infection. Her ears are fine. The doctor then asked if I wanted help with her sleep. I said “Sure, as long as you aren’t going to tell me to let her cry.” She proceeded to ask several questions about when I nurse her, how I put her down, etc. She began to lecture me for letting E fall asleep at the breast. I asked her if she ever BF. Nope. That explains why she thinks it’s easy to NOT let them fall asleep at the breast. She tried to tell me to let her cry saying that my only options were, and I quote, “let her cry or be an all-night dairy barn.” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Under normal circumstances I probably would have thanked her and made a quick exit. But she had a med student in with her. A male one at that. He’ll NEVER understand fully about BFing. So I spoke my mind and quickly left. (I grabbed a comment card on the way out!!) Now I have so many more things I wish I had said to her.

Grain of truth to it or not, that is NOT an appropriate comment to say to a mother, especially one who was as obviously sleep-deprived & emotional as I was. I’ve been quite lucky with the peds I’ve seen but I do have a few who, as long as I can help it, will NOT see my daughter again.

Amy–Sorry you had such a miserable experience with the pediatrician. I honestly can say I have never been called an all night dairy barn by mine and would be just as mad as you if I did. Glad Elizabeth does not have an ear infection. Personally I would guess that her sleeping habits are out of wack due to your husband’s recent visit. (Did she bother to ask if there have been any changes in your life recently? Doesn’t she work on a military base?!?!? Sorry I am mad at her too.) I hope that there are restful nights in your future. Hang in there!