Two pediatricians / Two different opionion?

[liljava]

On my sons 4 month check up (june 13th) my son was weighed and was 13 lb 9 1/2 oz 26 inches long he is very healthy and not a chubby baby but i dont feel hes skinny. well i told my ped that i wanted to exclusivley breastfeed for 6 months because of the benefits and that i would watch signs for my son needing it sooner. So far none. Hes totally content inbetween feedings i feel is growing and happy healthy baby.At his 2 month visit he was 11lbs 9 1/2 oz 23inches long. He was in the 75 % for both length and weight. This visit he was 85th % for Length and only 40% for weight. He still agreed that it was ok to wait to start solids unless he show otherwise.

Well today My son had a cough and was tugging on ear so i brought him in, well his doc was out and had to see another one. she checked him and said he didnt have ear infection and just a cold, well she also looked at his chart and said that because of the decrease in his weight percentage that i should start solids. i told her i really wanted to wait unless it was very neccesary and she said ya you need to start cereal.

so im really irritated that i have two very different opinions and because of it, its making second question both of them! Of course i want to do whats in my sons best interest but i dont know whos advice i should take? What would you do? Do you think the percentage thing is really that big of deal? My son is very tall for his age, I think hes just balancing out?
Im a first time mom and dont want to not start him if hes ready but also start him to soon  if not totaly neccesay!
would love some advice.

[Samuel's mum]

I would personally go with the doctor who knows him best. He will have seen his progress over a longer period of time and will know your situation. The other doctor knows a lot less about him. You are right to look out for the signs yourself and you say you are not seeing any 'readiness'. Go with your instincts.
I'm not sure what charts the doctor was using but the % thing is sometimes called into question anyway as charts have historically been based on non-breastfed babies. It sounds as though you are aware of the recommendation to hang on until nearer 6 months if you are exclusively breastfeeding. In some special cir!@!stances doctors do recommend otherwise but I don't feel you should start solids based on today's conversation alone.
You could always wait until you have spoken to your regular doctor. They may be interested to know how their colleagues are advising.

[tylersmommy]

We used to have the same problem when Tyler saw different doctors. We got all kinds of different opinions on things, so in the end, I just weighed it all and went with instinct. With your DS, you know him best...weight and percentiles are only one of many factors to consider in the decision to start solids. And babies can be all over the charts from visit to visit without it meaning a thing. Tyler's always been above 100% on height and started out 80% for weight. Since about 4 mo, his height's stayed the same but his weight has been around 50%. And it's no surprise...DH and I are both built that way. So it's very possible that your DS is just balancing out. And even if his weight "loss" was a concern, starting solids isn't necessarily the answer. Ounce for ounce, breastmilk has far more calories than any solid food.

In the end, I'd say go with your instinct!

[liljava]

Thanks so much ladies! I knew my what my decision was all along just as a first time needed a liittle reassurance! My Ds has consistanly gained weight its just his curve has slowed I am not concerned! I am very happy to be able to exclusive bf till 6 months unless he shows me he needs it sooner, but i dont think hes needs it now!

misty