How is it going with your pediatrician? « Back to Group Discussions

[kathrineg]

I like mine, but might switch to someone a bit more breast-feeding positive/knowledgeable. My primary doctor there is good but I saw one of her backup doctors last night and he was old school about breastfeeding. They also wouldn't "let" me nurse during some blood draws, which is against AAP guidelines.

How is everyone else liking their docs (or other providers)?

[NDFanatik]

Not sure.  Little man is 3wks and won't go in til he's 2mths (when we do the 1st shot) unless he gets sick before then.  He had mentioned doing the hep b when I was talking to him and was pregnant (took son in for physical) and I was like "No... we delay."  He's cool with me delaying, but I have to be firm.  He wants hep b in a newborn and we delay to around 2yrs.  (follow sears schedule)  He's cool with bfing and for the most part respects my "alternative" parenting, so we'll see since I've never been to him with a newbie. 

[Dlynn918]

Originally Posted by kathrineg 

I like mine, but might switch to someone a bit more breast-feeding positive/knowledgeable. My primary doctor there is good but I saw one of her backup doctors last night and he was old school about breastfeeding. They also wouldn't "let" me nurse during some blood draws, which is against AAP guidelines.
How is everyone else liking their docs (or other providers)?

The wouldnt "let" you? wtf? They literally told you to stop when you started? That's nothing short of obnoxious! Time for a new doctor!

Well my pedi experience started off pretty bad. Ive been with the same practice for 10 years and for some reason when the lead pedi was not available, I took the apt with the nurse practitioner, obviously I wasnt thinking because Im aware she can be a "nazi" but she never really bothered me about anything so I scheduled it anyway. Chloe was born on a friday and they wanted to have her weighed the following week. I thought it was odd how neurotic everyone was at the hospital about me getting in to see them right away. I must have been asked 5x if I made an apt yet. Then when I finally got in on tuesday they were thrilled cause she had only lost 6oz and asked to see her again in two days. Looking back I should have said no, her one month will be just fine. But I did it anyway and when we came back and she lost 3 more...a total of 9 ounces in 6 days (apx 10% of her body weight, a perfect average) and they flipped out. Started with the formula bull shit and breathing down my neck. Granted she was a pokey eater and would sleep through an earthquake but I wasnt worried. Then they asked to see her AGAIN in two days and I was getting irritated. But I figured she would gain and Id get her off my back. Well, she gained an ounce but she was still down my neck (babies shouldnt be gaining more than an ounce a day anyway...idiot) and I was getting more upset by the day. I called the LC and we worked out the best plan to keep her awake for feedings, getting hind milk etc and I put off the next weigh in for a week. In that time this obnoxious NP called me twice leaving me obnoxious messages about weigh ins! By the time I got in to the next visit with the real pedi I was so upset that I could barely speak. Thank goodness DH was with me who explained how little we needed the harrassment over a 9 ounce weight loss on an 8.6lb baby. It really killed my happy-baby-bliss-bubble! Maybe Chloe did need a little help getting over the hump, but her attitude and comments like...formula is okay, really...she sounded like a drug dealer!!! The Dr was not happy. Its his practice and he is very pro-BFing. He has always been nothing but supportive of my family and our choices for ten years. I did not expect this!!! Its been 4 weeks, she has gained 2lbs and 2 inches and she is gorgeous and this biotch can bite me. ;-) I had a wonderful visit with the pedi yesterday and everything is pretty smoothed over. No one gave me a hard time about delaying the hep B vax either.

So thats my story about our start with the pedi office!!!

[Mommel]

We are actually doing midwifery care until three months and then are going to a pediatric naturopath in December, so I'll check back here after our first visit. Just wanted to sub this thread! 

[bignerpie]

I feel very fortunate to have found our current doctor. She is an MD, but very much into natural remedies. When she came out to do the newborn exam on my daughter, she gave me her home phone number and said, "Babies don't only get sick between 9-5. This phone rings beside my bed, and you call me anytime you need me."

This is very different from the first two peds I used with my son. The first one told me that breastfeeding past one year was pointless and treated me like an idiot. The second one was better, but the whole medical group refuses to see patients that are not vaccinated on schedule. I am undecided about vaccinations, and I refuse to be bullied into getting them.

My daughter won't go back until 3 months, and I'm taking my son for an appointment at the same time. He hasn't been to the doctor since he was, umm... 9 months. 

[mamareba]

So far so good for us.  I asked around for a no vax friendly ped or family doc, and was recommended someone who was in our insurance network.  all preventative care is free and there is no co pay for doc visits... so we're stoked.  It took a little persuading because she was already 3 weeks (receiving mw care) when I called to get an appt, and they like to see them within a week... but, they made an "exception" and let us in.  The doc was very nice.  He brought up vaccines at the end of the appt.  but he was like "I have to bring this up, but Im not that bad about it " His strongest recommendation was for DTaP, and maybe HIB?  I feel like we won't get either, but Im interested in other mamas opinions about these two? We are overall very happy with the doc and the office and my partner has already signed up for a physical with him... he will be our family doc from now on... (we never had one before :) 

oh and he also mentioned , like pp said, they have 24 on call service... one of the 3 docs is always on call ... I like that too! 

[mamareba]

one thing I heard about DTaP (a little off subject.. maybe we need a vaccine thread?) was that the lo isn't fully vaccinated for pertussis until the 3rd shot and by then they are already six months and their immunity is much higher and they are not as at risk anyway.  Has anyone else heard this? It makes it seem kind of pointless to put them through three shots.  

[emmy526]

Originally Posted by mamareba 

one thing I heard about DTaP (a little off subject.. maybe we need a vaccine thread?) was that the lo isn't fully vaccinated for pertussis until the 3rd shot and by then they are already six months and their immunity is much higher and they are not as at risk anyway.  Has anyone else heard this? It makes it seem kind of pointless to put them through three shots.  

it IS pointless to put them thru 3 shots that do not protect anyway, and stress out their immature immune system. 

[Earthylady]

So far my little lady has been seeing our mw, but I'm taking her next week to see the DO family doc my other girls go to just to have service established. She already knows we don't vax, so no biggie there. In another three months though my mw will have her licensure to orovide family care to all ages and if she takes my hubby's new insurance we'll be transferring back to her for the long haul.

[mamareba]

Originally Posted by Earthylady 
 In another three months though my mw will have her licensure to orovide family care to all ages and if she takes my hubby's new insurance we'll be transferring back to her for the long haul.

awesome, how cool is that!

[Gracecody]

Ditto, that is awesome that your midwife will be providing care, I sure wish we could continue to see mine!  Luke's 6 week appt with her is scheduled for this coming tues, a bit late due to her being out of the country. This will be our last appt with her but we'll still see her at her monthly "birth lodge" where current and past clients bring food and hang out, it's very fun.

I finally found a care provider I'm pretty happy with, she's very supportive of all of our decisions. She is actually a nurse practitioner at the practice we've been going to for a few years now. So that is a relief, I didn't much like the ped we were seeing because although she was fine with my decision to delay/not vacc, she had such a cold manner. This nurse is so warm and energetic and truly interested in the kids, something that is hard to find. Luke will be going in for his 2 mo check but not for vacc, just for a weight and overall check as he had some legit weight gain issues and I want to make sure he is really on the right track now with his weight gain.

[Mandy613]

I have an amazing family doctor who has been mine since about 14 and she is also both my children pedi's. 

I am a 100% strict formula feeder and my doctor has been nothing but great to me. I never feel judged or forced to do anything I dont feel comfortable doing. 

My hubby and I are a pro vax family, So it's never been an issue. Working in the hospital I see too many sick kids with old germs that we really shouldnt see anymore. It's very important to have a doctor who supports you as it is important to have an open mind to new ideas. 

hope everyone has a good experience!