Well baby visit rant!

[MSWmama]

I took DS to his 6-month well baby visit today (we fully vaccinate so we do all the well-baby checkups). We loved our previous pediatrician but he basically moved to a location farther away from our house, so we made an appointment with a different doc this time. Basically, it was a total disaster and I'm really upset about it. 

First, she gave me this big lecture about cosleeping (DS has always been a poor sleeper, even with cosleeping, so this is an issue I'm particularly sensitive about). She did all the usual yammering about how we're setting him up for problems later, etc etc. I said that we're OK with the situation and that we are working on crib sleep for naps and for the first part of the night, and then she basically told me that she's sure my husband isn't OK with cosleeping (for the record, he's fine with it) and that as soon as I'm ready, we should move DS out of the bed. I had no idea that she was so intimately acquainted with my husband's thoughts and feelings! 

THEN she started giving me all this bizarre advice about starting solids that even contradicted the handout her own office gave us at DS's last visit. I actually think that when it comes to starting solids where we're pretty mainstream ... we're not doing BLW, we're doing pureed or mushed up "real food" with some things like rice and couscous offered on his tray for him to self feed. Not too far outside the norm, but apparently he isn't getting enough protein because we're vegetarians?? Like I said, it was just weird and most of what she said was different from what the booklet they gave us at his 4-month visit said anyway. 

THEN she did the actual physical exam and almost retracted DS! I've seen several doctors in that practice and never had anyone touch his foreskin before! I was so shocked that I didn't even say anything (it happened in just a quick second).  He didn't cry or look distressed at all, and his penis looks fine now (not red or swollen or painful looking, etc) so I don't think she retracted it as much as I thought at first. But I just about died! 

I've already posted on my local tribe to try and find someone better, and I do plan to talk to an intact-friendly doc (once I find one) about the retraction thing, but for now I'm so upset that I had to go through all that just to get him weighed, measured, and a couple of shots. 

Thanks for letting me vent, mamas! 

[Marissamom]

I'm sorry. I know a good pedi can be hard to find (we went through several). I learned to word myself pretty carefully when it comes to sleep. I don't mention that we're cosleeping, and when they ask how the baby is sleeping I just say they're sleeping plenty (not mentioning how often they're waking up), if you seem positive about sleep, they usually don't inquire further, if you seem stressed they feel like it's there job to solve it (even though they're medical professionals, not parenting experts). 

[whozeyermamma]

Holy crap! That's so annoying!

Good for you that you're going to find someone else ... The thing that I hate when things like that happen to me (not my ped - who is awesome, but other health care providers) is that I worry about the next person who is going to listen to these jackholes and believe what they say.

[jcregan]

Are you located anywhere near Eagan?  I have a good ped. that I love. 

At DSs 2 month appointment I told her we are cosleeping and she basically just gently said to make sure to follow the safety guidelines etc.  She knows me from DD (who is now 5) and so I think knows I am responsible and she would not change my mind anyway =)

She in definitely intact friendly, BFing friendly, and although maybe not encouraging of cosleeping she didn't bug me about it much.

DS had an umbilical granuloma (extra growth in the belly button area).  They usually treat it with silver nitrate but that can cause accidental damage to surrounding tissue.  I had done some research and found information on treating it was salt and she was very supportive of me trying that and was impressed with the results.  She says she will start suggesting that as an alternative to other parents.

I also vaccinate but I had previously mentioned the possibility of spacing them out and she was fine with that as a option as well.

PM if you want her information.

[CallMeMommy]

Irritating.  Exactly why I try to limit any unnecessary doctor's visits for my kids (we don't vax, so most of the WBV are unnecessary for us!)  Try a family practice doc, they tend to be a little bit more laid-back than pediatricians.  All 5 of us have the same primary care doc, he's awesome.

[JudiAU]

Just find another ped. It is normal to not click with someone on a first visit and some peds are just like that. If you can't find someone else, just let her flat out that you are here for a medical check up and not parenting advice.

[MoonWillow]

I hate to say it but it sounds pretty common. We went through 4 peds before settling on a DO. I'd MOVE for this guy if he up and left. The searching was so well worth it. You may do well to find one because they practice medicine yet still tend towards the holistic. In my experience working with one has been the best of "both worlds" so to speak because while we may not instantly see eye to eye on something, he listens and respects what I have to say, and the care he gives my family is based on that discussion. Vaccines for instance, he gives them but doesn't push them. He asks questions about my feelings and we have open, non judgmental conversation which honestly (after everything we went through to GET to this guy) rocks. A family practice doc would be a great way to go as well (as mentioned). 

I'm sorry you had a bad experience  Good luck in your searches!

[annettemarie]

Honestly, this is a big reason we see a family doc rather than a pediatrician. I've never met a ped who wasn't cocky and annoying. I'm sure they exist, but I've never met one.