[dakotamidnight]

I'm interviewing a potiential pediatrician on wendesday {INS says baby must have a ped. chosen prior to birth}

What should I ask?

 

[Piper's mama]

Depends on what you are looking for really. I have been kicked out of a Gyno practice before for just asking to think about a treatment, and wanting to try herbs to treat my conditon, so when we interviewed our ped. I told him I would be treating my children with herbs & homeopathy, and was he supportive of that. If you aren't going to vaccinate you should definently ask them how they feel about that. My ped. has people from every mindset on the subject and is fine with parents that choose not to vax. Basically I guess you should find someone who will be supportive of how you choose to raise your child, and not trying to convince you to do things differently. I love our ped., I have been known to call him once a month with some "crisis" or another

:, and he makes home visits for new babies, which is so awesome!

 

[LeosMama]

You want to know their stand on circumcision and how they recommend you care for an intact penis (yes, I know you're expecting a girl, but what if you have a boy later?). You should know that no retraction is recommended by the AAP and circumcision is considered cosmetic, not medically necessary at all.

You should ask about what vaxes they recommend at what ages and how they feel about you choosing your own vax schedule and selectively vaxing (or not at all).

Ask about how he treats otitis media (simple OT shouldn't be treated with antibiotics).

Ask about how long he thinks it is beneficial to breastfeed and what his recommendations are for b/fing. How does he feel about extended b/fing?

Is he available by phone after hours?

 

[jadzia's_mommy]

Find out how the dr. handles after hour emergencies. And like the others said, if there are issues that are important to you, be sure to bring them up. We're vegan, so I asked ours how he feels about a vegan diet for children. I didn't want to get lectured about meat and dairy once my baby hit 6 months. I even talked to him about co-sleeping and BF. He's a pretty AP ped, so I felt super comfortable with him right away. Oh, I also asked about antibiotics. I didn't want a dr. who was going to be pushing antibiotics every time DD had a sniffle. I think you don't have to have someone who is going to necessarily agree with you about everything, but they have to respect your judgment as the parent. For example, we've refused a couple vax, and while our ped is in favor of vax on schedule, he's never given us a hard time about our decision.

 

[_betsy_]

We just interviewed our Family Physician PCP as our ped, and I guess the first thing I should have asked over the phone, before bothering with an interevie, is if he interested in seeing newborns. Because, he really, really seemed disinterested in newborn/infant care. Which confused us. He even recommended a mainstream ped office to us. Which we don't want, we want a family phyisican style atmosphere...

Anyways, I did a Google search for Pediatrician Interview, and compiled my own list based on about 4 or 5 different lists I found online.

Coverage when he's out of the office, emergency care and refereals, does he answer patient email, philosophy questions like his stance on BFing, vaxing/delaying/refusing and circumcision were all answers I was curious about.

 

[dakotamidnight]

well - thankfully the potiental ped I interviewed tomorrow will work - he's at least open minded!

Very pro-BF, the formula bags are in a locked cupboard and only he has the key!

He's pro-Vac, but doesn't have a problem with me delaying/not vaccing as long as I will sign paperwork. It's a compromise, but I understand needing me to sign since baby will be on medicaid.