please help me find a pediatrician!

[artteacher]

I am still very much on the lookout for a pediatrician who is:

-holistically minded, but is a medical professional

-is respectful and understanding of an alternative vaccination schedule

-available and committed to helping new parents take care of their little on

-of course supportive of breastfeeding, but also of my home birth

-ideally does a home visit, but this is NOT a deal breaker at all!

-somewhere in the greater boston area.....we are in needham

-takes most insurances- hphc is ours!

THANK YOU!

[show&tell]

I'm completely geographically-challenged when it comes to the greater Boston area. But, if you are near Arlington, Dr. Landis is wonderful. She is at Arlington Pediatrics. The reception staff is rather lukewarm -- but if you can see past that Dr. Landis is a great pedi. I'm not uber-AP, so she might not be the right choice for an AP enthusiast. I'd recommend checking her out, though.

[DaughterOfKali]

The only pediatrician that I know who best fits your criteria (except for home visits) is in Framingham.  Let me know if you'd like the info.

[popbaby]

Check out Dr. Levatin in Brookline. http://www.janetlevatin.com/

[PingPong'sMom]

My pedi fits some of your criteria, not all. He's in Braintree.

He is not holistically minded, but I don't discuss this with him; I will consult with other NDs, etc. He is an MD and able to prescribe meds should I/we choose them.

We don't vaccinate at all right now (I call it Selectively Delayed), he is 100% fine with that. We keep an open dialogue, I will inquire as to what he'd recommend at the time, he is fine if I leave w/out getting that shot. His nurses support his patients in this. (he did say that if we come in for a sick visit and see his younger colleagues, they may push the vaccination issue with me. We've never experienced this b/c we've never been sick enough to visit the office for a sick visit.)

He is an older doc, prior to all the crazy pharma push, he allows the parents to parent, understands that he's a partner in parenting and health, not the All Knowing. I feel I can ask him anything, although I haven't needed to, as I feel comfortable with a few ND, chiropractors, etc. that I can consult with (and reading this whole forum).

Was supportive of my bfing until well past 2 yo; I tried for a homebirth, I think he'd be fine with it, even though admittedly, he wasn't our pedi when I first gave birth.

I don't think he'd do a home visit, doesn't seem like the kind of office.... but I could be wrong.

He's in Braintree, near the big T station at the 93/Rt3/128 intersection. Free, easy parking.

Accepts our BCBS insurance.

Also, he's great with kids: when he walks into the room, he begins the exam from across the room, checking out eyes, nose (who knows what else) while comfortably carrying on a conversation with me, getting the kid comfortable. Which is nice b/c we see him maybe once a year; we're never sick, we don't do well-baby/shot visits. He's just a comfortable guy.

PM me if any of the above works for you; if not, no problem! Cheers!
 

Originally Posted by artteacher 

I am still very much on the lookout for a pediatrician who is:

-holistically minded, but is a medical professional

-is respectful and understanding of an alternative vaccination schedule

-available and committed to helping new parents take care of their little on

-of course supportive of breastfeeding, but also of my home birth

-ideally does a home visit, but this is NOT a deal breaker at all!

-somewhere in the greater boston area.....we are in needham

-takes most insurances- hphc is ours!

THANK YOU!

[xmasbaby7]

This is a great list.

Edited by xmasbaby7 - 1/16/12 at 8:32pm

[TouchAByeBaby]

I am seeking pretty much the same, with the exception of home visits, we're cool with office visit.  But we are selective delayers and BFers and will be moving to the Acton/Westford area in a few short weeks, leaving behind our AMAZING pediatrician (seriously, if anyone here is planning a move to Northern Jersey I'll give you her info, I wish we could take her with us!)  Anyone know of anything a bit closer to our area?  Thanks so much!

[MAMom]

Dr. Coffey in Somerville is supposed to be wonderful, though I have no personal experience with him.  He self-lists on the Dr. Sears website as being "vaccine-friendly". 

Michael Coffey, M.D.
Family Medicine at Ball Square
645 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02145
[phone]
www.FamilyMedicineAtBallSquare.org

[Cheryl33]

Dr Levitin will not do home visits. We recently switched to Dr Lindeman in Framingham. He is not holistic but very open minded and is welcoming of parents that do their own research and participate in their child's care. I love him, and best of all, my now 3 year old does. She wouldn't let our previous Dr touch her at all. He is very playful and engaging. Love him.

He does believe in vaccines but will do as you wish.

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by Cheryl33 

Dr Levitin will not do home visits. We recently switched to Dr Lindeman in Framingham. 

Did you research him online?  There's a lot of history there.  (that's all I'm saying so that I don't violate the User Agreement here.)

[Friday13th]

Originally Posted by TouchAByeBaby 

I am seeking pretty much the same, with the exception of home visits, we're cool with office visit.  But we are selective delayers and BFers and will be moving to the Acton/Westford area in a few short weeks, leaving behind our AMAZING pediatrician (seriously, if anyone here is planning a move to Northern Jersey I'll give you her info, I wish we could take her with us!)  Anyone know of anything a bit closer to our area?  Thanks so much!

Check out Dr. Cooper in Acton, he's AMAZING!  Pro-BFing, we are very delayed and very selective vaxers and he's totally cool with it.  He's really laid back and fabulous.

[TouchAByeBaby]

Thanks, will definitely check him out since he's so close! :-)

[Cheryl33]

oh gosh, I will PM you.

[jessjgh1]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

Originally Posted by Cheryl33 

Dr Levitin will not do home visits. We recently switched to Dr Lindeman in Framingham. 

Did you research him online?  There's a lot of history there.  (that's all I'm saying so that I don't violate the User Agreement here.)

Was that in response to Dr Levitin or Dr Lindeman???

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by jessjgh1 

Was that in response to Dr Levitin or Dr Lindeman???

Lindeman (aka Flea).

[vknezevic]

Dr andonian in Lexington. Not against vaccines, but respects parents opinion. My both kids love him and can't wait to go see him. And of course we love him too. He has an office by himself. You will always see him no matter what. No nurses. When the kids are sick we gt an appointment within and hour. Not holistic. But understands that we use homeopathy ans other holistic medicine. He is an older doctor who really listens and loves kids.

[sosurreal09]

Originally Posted by popbaby 

Check out Dr. Levatin in Brookline. http://www.janetlevatin.com/

She left and is in Ohio now! She couldn't deal with MA and all the crap she had to put up with for a low vax rate.

[pjsmom30]

Lindeman is a great doctor. He has been our pedi for 7.5 years, and we couldn't be happier. People make mistakes, we must allow for people to be human. I travel 45 minutes to see him.

[DaughterOfKali]

I know this is an OLD thread but, in case anyone else in the area is looking, All of the pediatricians at Harvard Vanguard Wellesley are pretty open minded.  Just make sure you see a doctor, not the nurse or nurse practitioner.

[TouchAByeBaby]

We love Dr. Cooper and all the other doctors at Acton Medical! Thanks for the tip! He is exactly what you say. We also especially love Dr. pollakowski. Unfortunately we've moved again and are considering finding someone closer to Chelmsford. Anybody know anything about Harvard Vanguard pediatrics in Chelmsford?