Would you switch Pediatricians?

Hello there,

I'm looking for some advice about my pediatrician; my husband and I are both vegetarians and since before my DS was born, our pediatrician has seemed to have a problem with our diet. We chose her because out of the few we saw, her office was the cleanest and we liked everything else about her. Now that my DS is eating solids, she's giving me a bit of an attitude and telling me it'll be very hard to give him protein. I feel very strongly about raising him a vegetarian, and I have a vegetarian baby book and I've done research on the internet, and I know what I need to feed him in order for him to be healthy. If you were in my position, would you switch to a new pediatrician? I do like her, but I'd be more comfortable seeing someone who gave more advice on what he can be eating, rather than (i feel) chastising me.

Thanks.

Would you switch Pediatricians?

imo- yes, switch. I am actually looking to switch for reasons similiar to yours. I would find someone who values your parenting style and even if they do not agree, they guide you in the same direction. good luck!

eta- maybe try to find a holistic dr.

Message edited 9/10/2012 4:18:23 PM.

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

Thank you, good suggestion!

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

I would definitely switch. You need someone who is willingly to help you and give you suggestions on what to eat. There are plenty of vegetarian options for a baby...which I am sure you already know. Maybe you could find a local board of moms who have similar parenting views as you and ask for suggestions on pediatricians. I think it is VERY important for your ped to be on your side in your parenting style - you need guidance, not judgement!

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

I'm a vegetarian and raising my DD as a vegetarian and our ped was totally fine and supportive of it.

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

Thank you for the responses to this. :)

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

I'd switch - you need to trust and value your ped's opinions on the everyday things so that when your child has a health concern/issue, you'll be able to trust the ped to guide your decisions for their care.

Please know there are peds on LI who support "alternative" practices. I'm using quotes because I wouldn't deem vegetarianism to be "alternative" but some peds might think it is, or some peds might not be OK with delaying vaccines, not circumcising, etc.

Also, in your OP, it says you found your current ped to have one of the cleanest offices of the ones you spoke to. I know this is very important, but my ped's office waiting room is quite crude/blah - no toys, no fancy wallpaper or carpet and I've seen ants in a corner of the room one time. It's just a room with some chairs and a bullleting board -- but I love my ped and his office staff. He always calls me back the same morning/afternoon when I call him, I am seen the same day as I call, he has sick visits and well visits at different times, and I was most impressed one morning when I called with a question and -gasp- the ped answered the phone himself!! He's awesome. If I had judged his practice based on cleanliness, I wouldn't have gotten past the waiting room.

Would you switch Pediatricians?

I would switch, you need a dr. you can count on for support and suggestions, not someone who is going to judge you.

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

I'm sure there are vegetarian pediatricians.

In addition, I'm sure most experienced pediatricians have vegetarian patients.

Would you switch Pediatricians?

I would switch too, couldn't agree more with what the others have already said here... I would ask her at a well visit what exactly her concerns are about raising your DS vegetarian... so you can clear it up for HER!

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

yes if I were you I would... I can't go to a doc who doesn't agreed with my decisions...especially if they are ones I feel are 100% informed and educated

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

yes, I would switch if you don't feel comfortable about their advice or their "stand" on an issue.

I switched peds very early. The ped that came to see me and the baby at the hospital told me to some things that I kind of raised my eyebrows at including giving my only day old baby water or sugar water to help her fill up between nursing and to give her a pacifier instead of letting her nurse for comfort or "i'll become a walking pacifier."

Dh and I went to their office and met with a diff ped for DD's first appt when she was less than a week old. He also told us the same thing about the water AND said for us to try to stretch out her nursing to every 3-5 hrs and not the 1 1/2 -2 hrs she was currently doing!!!! I mean she was only a few days old (albeit chunky :) )and I was not going to deny her when she's hungry or try to train her.


anyway, i knew I would always second guess ANY advice they gave me in the future if we didn't agree on something small as how to feed her so I got a ped rec from a nicu nurse I know (who couldn't believe the ped said to give her water) and can't be happier with our current practice.

sorry so long!


eta: my dd is 5 months and eating every 3-4 hrs. babies will naturally start spacing out their feedings and I don't regret following HER lead and I have and will let her nurse for comfort and am hardly a walking pacifier.

Message edited 9/11/2012 3:24:23 PM.

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

I would absolutely switch. I am a vegetarian as well as my 2 year old son and I have never even gotten blinked at the wrong way because of it at my pediatrician. I see Dr. George in West Islip. They are very supportive of our choice.

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

Thank you all, I was worried maybe I was overreacting but I think it's important to find a new Dr. I really appreciate it. :)

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

I am also a veggie - my ped is supportive. I use Dr. Rubin in Mineola

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

You have to like your ped! SO I say yes switch! Whatever decision we make for our children, whether they like it or not they should respect it!

Re: Would you switch Pediatricians?

yes!