Westchester NY Mamas! - Page 2

[D'sMama]

Hi ladies!
I recently moved to New Rochelle, close to Eastchester. I'm expecting our first baby any day now and having trouble finding a ped. Does anyone have recommendations for peds who are pro-BF, pro-AP, and hopefully okay with selective/delayed vax? Ideally, not too far north of White Plains?

I went to an open house at Riverside Peds b/c several mamas on here recommended them... while Baskind seemed okay at first (and I like that he's into homeopathy and doesn't throw abx at everything), he really annoyed me when talking about breastfeeding. He made a pretty tacky joke about "putting the girls away" when babies start teething, said to start solids at 4 months, said that the baby will not learn to chew if you wait more than 6 months, said to give whole cow's milk at 9 months and completely dodged a question about what the AMA recommends. It was a real turn-off and very surprising!

Anyway, PLEASE help out a FTM who's new to Westchester and post or PM me about your peds if you like them! I'm 37 weeks now and desperately need to find someone ASAP! Thank you!

[bluehairedwoman]

hi rachel, congratulations! we are in NR too but closer to the south shore.

i'm not thrilled with our ped but they are pro BF (although they are starting to pressure me to start solids- not so bad considering DD is 6 months old now). we are selectively vac and so far it has not been a problem but if you are considering delayed or no vac i'm not sure if they'd be on board. i recommend making an appt for an interview.

Pediatric Associates of Southern Westchester
145 Huguenot St suite 200
235-1400

I've seen Dr. Meisler and Schulwolf (i like shulwolf better- she takes more time with us and my many questions).

[Chavelamomela]

If you're looking for someone pro-BF, pro AP and willing to discuss delayed vax (not crazy about it, but willing to have the conversation) then Dr. Erin Kelleher is excellent. She's in Tuckahoe, which is very close to you (off the BRP and near the tuckahoe RR station)

She recently became a certified LC, which is great. She doesn't question about things that are not medical issues but parenting ones, like co-sleeping, sleep issues, etc. She's always said to me "keep doing what you're doing" when it came to BFing, parenting, etc.

Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

[santosha]

I have never ever had a problem with Dr Baskind and breastfeeding...but then again, I never looked for affirmation from my ped. that how/when/why/etc I breastfed was ok. Larry is a jokester, which I (and my kids) really like, but to each his own. You might find Dr Cowan more to your liking.

I really feel like no one ped. is going to be your end all be all- it's most important to me that they don't push medicine, and support the vax issue. Seriously, I don't know anyone who is a delayed/ non-vaxer in Westchester who doesn't use Riverside.

Pediatricians generally don't get great training re:breastfeeding. I just preferred to get my info and support from LLL or books or a LC.

Maybe I just can't hear anyone slam Larry B.! He's awesome- for example, one time I had a question about school districts (we were considering moving where he had his kids enrolled) and he (a very busy dr) called me to talk about it and give me an honest inside scoop. I never thought I'd have **loving*** feeling for our pediatrics practice, but what do you know, I do!

Anyway, welcome to new mom-hood!

[ravens_mum]

Originally Posted by Anna xox

Hello to everybody, I am new here
I live in Eastchester and I am getting crazy looking for a
PEDIATRICIAN that supports delayed vax (for my 2 years old daughter)

I also would love to find a holistic pediatrician. I need one especially for my 7 years old daughter who suffers from asthma. She is getting sick every other week and I'd like to try some alternative medicine.

Grazie.
Anna

I just joined the group as well as this thread so you've probably gotten tons of recommendations by now...if you're still looking though, Westchester Medical group has offices in Rye, White Plains, Yonkers and Scarsdale. Their doctors are excellent, their offices and service are excellent and best of all its their policy to show support and respect to parents that choose delayed vax (only a couple of their doctors will take no vax patients tho). We use Dr Wendy Proskin at the Rye office. She's young, kinda crunchy and she has a preschooler and a toddler.

[nancy11]

Anyone know of any at MKMG? I'm up north, in Yorktown. >.<

[COOP4]

Hello and Happy Holidays to everyone!  I just recently relocated to Westchester and I was wondering has anyone Heard of Bambini Pediatrics Wholesome Care For Kids?  They are located in Poughkeepsie NY and are an Integrative Medical Practice who according to their website are supportive of delayed vax.  It is a 45 min. drive for us but if anyone has any input on this place please let me know.  I cannot find any Pediatrician in Lower Westchester like this who takes insurance and are supportive of delayed vax.  Thank you and nice to meet everyone!-COOP4 

[Chavelamomela]

My pediatrician is not "supportive" per se of delayed vax, but she is tolerant of my difference of opinion, and she respects my intelligence.   I chose her because she came highly recommended as pro-BFing and doesn't push antibiotics too much.  I stick with her and recommend her to others because she is respectful of me as a parent, knows that I am the primary decision maker, and can discuss issues intelligently and respectfully.   She is a partner in that care, but doesn't use ultimatums or scare-tactics.  She is also very friendly.  When I had #2 at home, she chattily remarked "you're getting more crunchy in your old age ;)"  I like her as a doctor and as a person. 

Our pediatrician is Dr. Erin Kelleher in Tuckahoe, right off the Bronx River Parkway.  The practice is called "bronxeville Pediatrics" and the head doctor is Dr. Mark Rabuse.   FYI, the other doctors in the practice are more mainstream - we stick with Dr. Kelleher.

[Baby Giggles]

Dr. Stuart Tashman is a pediatrician located in Wurtsboro, NY (may also work out of another location but not sure).  He is amazing!  He listens, understands and offers options.  Although he is not against vaccinations, he will offer suggestions.  He also is available around the clock & makes house calls even!  Which is pretty amazing!  Believe he may now have a Face Book page, so take a look : )

[kristenpie]

I just have to say that we just met with Dr Cowan today and he is AWFUL. He was totally not supportive of me still night nursing my 15 month old. He told me that it wasn't natural, that hunter and gatherers night wean their babies when they grow teeth and get them on to solid foods, that night nursing prevents language development, that night nursing is bad for your digestive system. I asked him how nursing at night is different than nursing in the day in regards to your stomach. He asked me how I'd like to eat while I slept. I said that I wouldn't really like to eat solid food while I slept... (uhh, waiting for you to make your point Dr Cowan) and then he told me I probably wouldn't really like it if he tube fed me liquid food down my throat while I slept. (???) I challenged him about his statement that hunter and gatherers wouldn't feed their babies on demand, and asked him why the WHO recommends nursing until age 2. He was like "The WHO...?" And he was just like "no, natural weaning occurs when their teeth come in." 

He was dismissive about my concerns about possible tooth enamel defect on my son's molar and he first told me that I was projecting it on to him and he didn't see it, and then he saw it and blamed in on the nursing (even though it's only on his 2 top molars in the back that only came in 2 months ago). I really hated him. I don't like to use that word, but I think we will be looking for someone else soon. He was truly horrible. I hope this prevents someone from seeing him who was considering it. 

[kristenpie]

Oh I forgot to add that when I tried to defend myself by stating that I wanted to feed him on demand since he still doesn't drink from a sippy cup, he said that as long as he is having one wet diaper every 8 hours, he is fine. That didn't sit well with me either. 

[Christina Conte]

Dr. Penelope Gay Sheely is excellent.  She is a holistic pediatrician in Dobbs Ferry and does not vaccinate.  We love her! 

[drtash]

Hi this is Dr. Tashman.   I only have one location of service.   Wurtsboro, New York.   I am only 12 minutes from Middletown, located right on route 209.  It is true that I am on Facebook.  You can join my fan page if you would like.  Dr Stuart Tashman. 

Thanks Babygiggles for the kind words.

Dr. T

[Katielady]

Hello Westchester Mamas!

I'm looking for a general doctor for myself-- internist, family practice, etc. I'm hoping for a female doctor somewhere close to Tarrytown. Hawthorne, Pleasantville, White Plains, any of the rivertowns, Nyack would all work. Mostly I just want to find someone at least moderately crunchy who will have a dialogue with me and not rush me out of her office.

Thanks,

Katie

[saraem]

I did not have a good experience at Riverside Peds either. I took my 11 month old in because he was vomiting, but only solid food. By the start of the 2nd day, my stepfather and I (was staying with my parents at the time) were pretty sure he had a blockage. The doctor was very dismissive of that idea and believed that it was in fact behavioral. He recommended "calling his bluff" and not feeding him any smooth purees/liquid/breastmilk (the only things he could keep down) as one possible tactic. That truly appalled me. We were sent home. A day later I called back to press for a referral to a ped gastro as I was convinced something else was going on, DS was losing weight and waking hourly at night. When I called the ped gastro to make the appt they made it for 6 days later. I asked if they thought he should be seen sooner and they responded, "he (the doctor) didn't."

My son had a penny stuck in his esophagus for 12 days. I do not think I can in good faith continue at this practice.