help finding a vaccine conservative pediatrician

[JeepsterGirl]

I am currently 8 months pregnant with my first child and I am finding it difficult to find a pediatrician that is supportive of delaying vaccinations. Does anyone know of one, preferably a good one, in or near the Atlanta area? Or at least one who will not try to intimidate or patronize me.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by JeepsterGirl

I am currently 8 months pregnant with my first child and I am finding it difficult to find a pediatrician that is supportive of delaying vaccinations. Does anyone know of one, preferably a good one, in or near the Atlanta area? Or at least one who will not try to intimidate or patronize me.

Contact your local la leche leader (if you haven't already) and ask her if she can suggest a vaccine-friendly ped. Chances are she's encountered this question already and can give you some advice.

If that doesn't work for you, call around to some local chiropractors and/or natural doctors, and ask them.

Also, you may want to consider using a family practitioner rather than a pediatrician. Family doctors usually do not push vaccines in the same way that pediatricians do.

Pediatricians, for the most part, are trained to push vaccines. If you decide to get a pediatrician and do the well baby checks, be prepared to get a lot of pressure/flack over your decision to delay vaccines (or not vaccinate.) And don't expect much help in formulating a delayed/selective vaccine schedule.

[Salgal]

I, too, have found difficulty finding a pediatrician who will take my decision to delay vaccines easily. My child just had his 4-month well check yesterday, and I had to sit through a long speech, which while it was peppered with the phrase "I respect your choices," it was obvious the doc did not. My advice to you is to keep looking, but in the meantime, just be prepared to stick to your guns, and expect to be spoken harshly to. In the end, it is your decision, don't get shamed or bullied into anything you are uncomfortable with. Also, no point in trying to get into a debate with the doc, just do what you are going to do - don't try to convince him/her of anything.

[tayndrewsmama]

My best advice on this would be to post in Finding Your Tribe under your state. You will have a much better chance of getting the info you are looking for there. Good luck!