Looking to convince SIL to not always run to the Dr.

[2sweetboysmom]

I am frustrated. My SIL constantly, for every fever cough and sniffle, takes her little ones to the Dr, just whichever dr will see them that day, and 9 times out of 10 the dr gives the kids ABX. I am concerned for their ongoing health as I am seeing their immune systems thrashed by receiving a round of abx a month.

Please point me to some good books, webpages, anything that I can gently recommend to her, to help change her perspective/raise her education level on the subject. Preferably from a more 'mainstream' source. She is very mainstreem and sees me as bit of a "treehuger/earth fairy type"

[sbgrace]

http://www.drgreene.com/qa/antibiotic-overuse
I really doubt this is going to go over well unfortunately. If you can try to present it in a way that doesn't make it sound like she's being criticized/puts her on the defensive maybe she'd listen. Her doctor is the problem here. Maybe send it to him/her instead!

[EFmom]

I agree with the pp. She's not going to be convinced by anything you give her.

[MeepyCat]

I think that, in terms of seeking advice on our children's health, we all have to do what makes us most comfortable. For your SIL, that's running to the doc with every fever and sniffle. And that may not be ideal, but it is the way that she feels comfortable as a parent.

I'd let this one go, because I don't think your sister-in-law is doing anything wrong in seeking and following medical advice (I wish they weren't recommending abx so much, but that's a doctor problem), and because I don't think you can really have much impact here.

[2sweetboysmom]

sbgrace Thank you for the link. It is well worded and just what I was looking for. I sent it to my brother and SIL with a gently worded e-mail regarding my concerns.
The problem is because she is so intent on having her kids seen the very hour they show any symptoms, she is rarely taking them to the same Dr twice, just whoever is available right then. I think these Drs, though well intentioned and perhaps not inclined to over-prescribe in general, may be thinking "Oh, one round of ABX can't hurt and mom will feel better so I'll write a script for amoxocillin." I am hoping that a little bit more information on the matter will help her to at least wait things out a day or two or so before getting so concerned.

[MaryMarg]

Just wanted to offer two books as resources as well--"Healthy Child, Whole Child: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Alternative Medicine to Keep your Kids Healthy" is by Stuart Ditchek and Russell Greenfield. It's a great book that covers alternative treatments (herbal, homeopathic, etc.) while also noting when using an allopathic physician is warranted. Note that these authors are pro-vaccine and use some slightly more aggressive medications than I'd consider, but this may be great for someone who is used to conventional medicine; the information won't seem to far out there. Also, Kathi J. Kemper's book The Holistic Pediatrician is a great starting point for considering alternatives. She is a well-known pediatrician who also recommends traditional medicine along with holistic therapies. A very useful resource.

Both of these authors specify when your child should be seen by a physician, which may be encouraging to your SIL.

[zinemama]

I'd stay out of it unless you want to be considered a buttinski as well as a tree hugger and earth fairy.

[2sweetboysmom]

FWIW-----the note and link for Dr Green's site were well received. She was feeling like abx once a month WAS excessive for healthy children, but had no idea when to get worried or not. Old habits are hard to break, so time will tell if she takes any of it to heart, but, it was taken in the spirit it was sent, love and genuine concern not butt-in-ness.
Thanks MaryMarg I will pass those titles on to her when/if she asks me for more info.