[caitplove]

First off, I'd like to say "Hi!" to everyone, as this is my first ever post!

Now to the business. . . I am going to be moving from Northboro back to the Pioneer Valley, in or near Northampton sometime in July or August. Anyone have a great ped they'd like to recommend? We are currently leaving a terrrible doctor that tried to forcefully retract my son's foreskin at his 4 month check-up and also became hostile when we informed her that we are delaying/ not vaccinating. We want to get the right fit this time around.

 

[Mindi22]

Dr. David Slack is in Easthampton, not far from Northampton, and worth the trip. He's great, willing to work with you on vaccination schedule, and he's great with the kids. Our son is not circumsized, either, and we've not had any problems with him.

We reccommend him highly!

Mindi

 

[lexbeach]

I've heard that Dr. Feinland (sp?), who I believe is Dr. Slack's partner (could be wrong), is also great. All of his kids were born at home and a lot of his patients do no vax/delayed vax.

We go to Northampton Area Pediatrics, and see Dr. Steele there. I wouldn't say that it's very supportive of AP, but they haven't given us a hard time either. Dr. Steele has a great bedside manner with the boys (he always plays with them for a couple of minutes before he starts examining them, my boys LOVE him) and is totally cool with breastfeeding through appointments, the fact that we cosleep (we don't really anymore, but I don't know if Dr. Steele knows that), and the fact that we haven't vaxed yet. He said at the two-year check-up that he would like for us to start vaxing at some point, but hasn't mentioned it since. . . no pressure or anything like that. No one ever seemed taken aback by the boys' cloth diapers or the fact that our son is sometimes wearing a dress. Our REAL reason for sticking with NAP is that it is open 7 days a week. You can call and get an appointment within an hour. There is a sick waiting room and a healthy waiting room. I'm not entirely psyched about the practice (and there are some doctors there who I actively disklike), but I just can't imagine switching to a place that's only open 5 days a week and that only takes sick visits for an hour every morning.

If you want a doctor who you can go to for parenting advice, I would not recommend Dr. Steele or NAP. But if you're looking for a friendly guy and an easy-access place, then I would highly recommend it.

HTH!

Lex

 

[Parthenia]

We go to Amherst Pediatrics. It sounds a lot like NAP. They aren't open 7 days/week, but have urgent care appt's on Saturday, and it's easy to get an appt. They see you quickly, too. We see Dr. Wang and Norma Hallock. We've seen 2 other dr's, but I can't remember their names. I liked them both. They are bf, cd, home birth, and delayed vax friendly. I don't know about no vax, we just delay and space, I've found Dr. Wang at least to be very respectful of my decisions, although she gives her opinion. I never feel pressured to consent to any course of treatment.
I started going there because a good friend from nursing school was an LPN there. She's now a NICU RN at Baystate.

 

[sunshinemama]

We use Amherst Pediatrics too, and don't vac at all.

 

[Lexysmom]

We are new parents with a 6 week old and so far our experince with Dr. David Slack is in Easthampton has been very good. The other members of the practice are aslo very good. He seems very willing to work with us on the vaccine schedule.

 

[caitplove]

I'd like to thank everyone for all the great ped advice! It's great to know I have several options. We are in the process of moving to Easthampton, so we are going to check out Drs. Slack and Feinland (sp?) first. I'm really looking forward to meeting with a ped that doesn't look completely puzzled at a cloth diaper!

 

[avivaelona]

We see Dr. Wang at Amherst pediatrics too. I mostly like her but they do recommend CIO/no co-sleeping. No serious pressure about it though and have respected that I said it wasn't an option we were going to consider at this time.

Aviva

 

[Britt]

We go to Northampton Area pediatrics as well, we see Dr. Kenny, though I may like Dr. Steele a little better even than Dr. Kenny. Both of those two have excellent bedside manner, they were supportive of extended breastfeeding, and they didn't blink at our parenting style/choices. We love that they're open seven days a week, with drop in times as well as quick appointments.