Blood sample for my 19 mo DS - does it hurt ?

[nanneh]

I have a 19 month old DS. We went to see a consultant last week because my DH is worried about our DS slightly bow-shaped legs. DH thinks it might be calcium deficency. I am not that worried and nor was the consultant. She said that babies can have bow shaped legs until they are 3 years old. Also in our case it may be hereditary, because my mother and sister have slightly bow-shaped legs as adults !!

My DH has always been very pro-breastfeeding, but thinks that perhaps DS has not had enough calcium due to the fact that I have NEVER given DS any formula milk and I refuse to force him now to like cow's milk. I give him 2 pots of yoghurt per day, which I am told together with bf 4 - 5 times a day should provide him with enough calcium.

In order to have absolute peace of mind, the consultant has suggested a blood test (this coming Monday). I am very reluctant as I don't like the idea of having a needle stuck into my baby. Also DH and I are both very poor blood-givers as in it usually takes 2 tries with a big needle dug deep into our veins to get a proper sample. I think we have deep veins (or were vampires in a previous life ??) If DS has the same problem it will be difficult to get much blood out of his little arms. I was given a cream to put on his hands at least 1 hour before to numb the area I suppose.

Sorry for the long story, but I am convinced the blood test is unneceassy because he is a very healthy looking, very active, very bubbly, breastfed toddler, but DH think it is better to be safe than sorry !!

My question is do you have a child who has had to give a blood sample this young ? If so, did it cause alot of pain and discomfort ?

"buckle", I meant!

let us know how it goes if you decide to go ahead with it ! Will be thinking of you...

tissy - thanks so much for that !

As you say, not really worried about rickets as it's so rare.

DS is quite skinny (10 kilos at nearly 19 months) and quite short and started to walk properly at around 13 months. He is between 2nd and 9th centile for height and weight, but then my DH is quite skinny too and we are both shortish, so can't expect DS to be a giant !!

So DS will never become a basketball player .. he would do well as a jockey though what with his height and bow-legs

But seriously, I agree with those of you who have said bow legs are normal. I think my DH is a bit paranoid about DS never receiving any kind of cow's milk (apart from yoghurt). I have tried to reassure him and myself by reading up on bf babies and all the experts seem to agree that calcium deficincy is rare in a bf baby, unless the parents are non-Caucasian and say live in Finland or North Canada.

In situations were the parents are not Caucasion and live in cold countries where there is not much sun, Vit. D supplementation is recommended. Apparently its given out rountinely to bf babies (with non-Caucasian parents) in Cananda after the first six months.

I think DH got worried because he has a friend who is a surgeon and he said he had injected both his bf son's with Vit. D when they were babies because they were living in a very cold country at the time where it was impossible to expose his children to natural sun light.

I am far less worried because, as you say, DH and I are white and and I have always made sure DS gets plenty of direct sunshine in the park, etc, to get his dose of natural Vit. D

binker - thanks so much - will post again when I have decided what to do !

They are worried about calcium deficiancy?? Goodness, I hope not as by ds (nearly 19 months) is still breastfed and get NO other sourse of calcium from dairy foods as he is dairy allergic. The only calcium he gets is from me and the veg that has it in. I have never had anyone suggest that they are worried about his calcium intake at all, and he is under many dr's/consultants.

Interesting read though about colder climates, non caucasion parents and vit D.

heartmum - I am sure your DS and my DS are fine - interesting that you have an almost identical situation to me !

I have discussed the calcium thing with a lade at LLL and she says there is absolutely nothing to worry about as my DS breastfeeds 4 - 5 times per day and gets calicium through his yoghurt and other foods and from natural sunshine (when it shines in London !!)

I reckon I have a paranoid (overly concerned ?) DH - only yesterday he said we should be taking DS for an eye test because DH had a lazy eye when he was very young and we both wear glasses for reading and for the computer - I said "how many 19 mo have an eye test FGS" - and how would they do it any way with a child that won't sit still and can't speak yet ??

sorry - rubbish typing for "lade at LLL" please substitute "lady at LLL" !!

actually, nanneh, if you think ds might have a squint, your ds can and should have an eye test. My dd had surgery for squints when she was about 2 and had had a series of eye tests before then!

tissy - thanks for the tip. DS doesn'r look like he has a squint. His eyes move around normally, etc. How would I be able to tell ? Also do the NHS do such a test or do I have to see a specialist ?