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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think that all baby clinic staff are bonkers

23 replies

ManchesterMummy · 16/05/2008 09:33

Took dd (7mo) to baby clinic for the first time in a while and because dh was keen to know how much she weighed. she's a big baby both in terms of weight and length. Plopped her on the scales to which weighing-woman cooed at her "oooh, have you been eating lots of Macdonalds?". Now, fwiw I have no problem with fast food as a treat if the rest of one's diet is healthy. But i have certainly never, ever given my 7 month old a Big Mac and fries. I know it was a joke, but there are healthy eating posters everywhere in the baby clinic room. Asked the hv if the weight gain was okay and she said dd needed more exercise and fruit and veg.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dd has just learnt how to commando crawl backwards and, imho, eats very healthily. And wiggles all the time! I was also told to reduce milk by offering yoghurt instead. (she has 3/4x 6/7oz bottles in a 24 hour period which I do not think is excessive. In fact she used to get a load of breast milk as well as that so she is cutting down).

Why??????????????? Why are these people allowed to do these jobs???????????????

AIBU to feel a bit peeved?

OP posts:
meep · 16/05/2008 09:38

good grief!! YANBU
at reducing milk for a 7mo!
I have seen friends babies go from adorably plump to adorably not plump once the crawling starts.
She's been watching too much tv and all that stuff about overweight toddlers - but for a 7mo - how exactly do you make them exercise - she is a baby ffs!

TotalChaos · 16/05/2008 09:39

More exercise for a 7 month old. She is insane.

ManchesterMummy · 16/05/2008 09:40

lol at watching too much tv. I thought that's what the parents were supposed to do!

OP posts:
meep · 16/05/2008 09:42

some doctor is recommending tummy stapling surgery for toddlers - that'll be her next suggestion

cory · 16/05/2008 09:43

They're not all like this one, honestly they're not. The youghurt thing sounds weird. I'd report her.

Miggsie · 16/05/2008 09:44

Was she too dim to become a hairdresser then?

SpecialOffer · 16/05/2008 09:52

Hey my son is on the 98th for height and 91st for weight, and I had some weird comments when he was 7mo (he also drank that much milk easily!!).

He crawled at 8.5 months and did lose some baby chubbyness and not weight IYSWIM?

YANBU

I would report her.

FioFio · 16/05/2008 09:56

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wonderstuff · 16/05/2008 09:57

YANBU They are clueless at our local clinic too. I weigh baby and leave now.

FioFio · 16/05/2008 09:59

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nickytwotimes · 16/05/2008 10:00

Silly woman!
Milk is the main source of nutrition for the first year! My nearly 2 yr old still drinks a pint or more a day.

MagicMuffin · 16/05/2008 10:21

YANBU but you were being precious about the McDonald's comment. It was a joke ffs.

ManchesterMummy · 16/05/2008 10:36

I know it was a joke, but they are always trying to promote healthy eating and there are posters everywhere. I was just a bit about that! Perhaps she could have thought of a less contentious, fattening foodstuff, chocolate cake/doughnuts or something...

OP posts:
greenlawn · 16/05/2008 11:30

Sometimes I think they just have their set little jokes they trot out; they're not funny sadly but as long as you know your dd is healthy I would just ignore it. FWIW ds1 was (and is) a terrible feeder, born premature and still at the age of 5 is underweight despite my best efforts - and ds2 born just a year later is now taller and heavier than him and never stops eating! For me having ds2 being so fond of his milk/food was an absolute joy after the occasional snidy comment I got from people about ds1 ("do you remember to feed him?" etc) - so just ENJOY having a baby who likes to eat!

greenlawn · 16/05/2008 11:33

Oh and ps don't forget that they are meant to have regard to the centiles when assessing weight and height - so in other words if your dd started out on a particular centile, they should only really be expressing concern if she is crossing centiles either upwards or downwards at an alarming rate.

mrsgboring · 16/05/2008 11:40

A large Mothercare which sells carseats will have a good set of scales. Go there if you're wondering what your baby weighs.

I agree that the McDonald's comment is a bit off. So what if it's supposed to be a joke.

Highlander · 16/05/2008 11:52

I took DS2 to the baby clinic once, when he was 8 weeks old. Never again

VictorianSqualor · 16/05/2008 12:05

I was pleasantly surprised at my first clinic visit this week.
Whilst I was shown what to fil out for self-weighing I overheard another HV discussing a child of about 4months whose weight was going down tell the mother the best thing to do was try offering the breast more often and increase her milk intake. Woohoo, result!!

Tommy · 16/05/2008 12:09

I really think we need a "rolling eyes" emoticon....

At this stage, my DS2 was having 6 x 8oz bottles a day and rolling round like normal babies. He is 6 now - as tall as an 8 year old but skinny as a rake.

Baby needs more exercise? What are you supposed to do - make her join a gym? work out daily? jogging?

This is why I have never taken DS3 to baby clinic

TheHedgeWitch · 16/05/2008 12:14

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chegirl · 16/05/2008 12:21

I think they just feel they have to say SOMETHING. They cant just be quiet and get on with things. After 4 I have learnt to pretty much ignore the more inane comments. My kids are mixed race and those bloody charts are based on europeann non disabled children and are pretty old now (unless they have been updated while I wasnt looking).

My kids have always been off the scale because that is just the way they are. I do object to a 12 year old clinic worker giving me advice on how to feed my kids. I am very happy to ask for help if I need it. I would probably ask a midwife or health visitor though. I would expect them to be slightly better qualified than a auxillary.
That McDonalds thing was just stupid. If someone said that to me I wouldnt be sure how to take it - I can look and sound a bit chavvy on occasion!

thelittlestbadger · 16/05/2008 12:22

YANBU. It is terrifying how many seriously stupid babyclinic staff there are... I was told to stop BF and just ff because healthy babies are on the 50th centile not above or below. Given DD was born on the 9th centile that is also dangerous IMHO. Definitely report the woman

HensMum · 16/05/2008 13:08

I'm in the same situation as you. My 7month old boy has risen from between the 50th and 75th centile to the 91st since starting on solids. He doesn't crawl yet (or even roll, he's a lazy little so and so!) and he loves his food - has 3 solid meals a day plus 4 7oz bottles.
I spoke to the HV about it and she said that as long as I'm not stuffing him full of junk food (I'm not, I make all his food myself) she wouldn't worry as he'll lose it once he gets mobile. Further proof, if any were needed, that if you ask 2 HVs the same question you'll get 2 entirely different answers!
How can you make a 7 month old do exerise?! I give my son lots of floor time so he has opportunity to roll and crawl but I can't make him do it.
Nod, smile politely and ignore it.

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