*Sigh* 4-month check-up.

Maggie, I totally didn't think you were insinuating the rudeness from me. I was just saying that I wouldn't be rude to them, even through the horrible comments they sometimes make.
ABE, I don't think I could handle that. Yes, I do have the helpful ladies here at the forums, and I do have a motherly sense, but I also have a medical card that gets my daughter free healthcare and it makes me feel better knowing that they may catch something I don't. Like, with Alexis' RSV, I just assumed she had a common cold and was giving her Infant Tylenol plus Cold, which was doing next to nil for her. It may have gotten worse and I'd be sorry I didn't take her to the pediatrician. Yes, they are asses sometimes, but they can also help when things get beyond mommy control.

 

THAT is when doctors are needed. When a person is really sick and isn't getting better on their own. IMO, that is the only thing doctors are for (and I have freinds who are doctors who disagree with me on this ) they are not your Lifestyle Consultants, they are not your car seat consultants, they are not your Lactation Consultants, They are not you "Get Your Baby to Sleep" Consultants, they are not your Nutritionists. They are there for SICK people. And Sick people, only. I am glad they were able to come through for you on this. She was sick, she needed a doctor.

IMO, the less contact with peds the better, if they are reasonably well. Sage once went 18 months without seeing a Ped. Some of my other kids have gone longer than that. No "well baby" checks as a toddler (she was well, why see a doctor?) no check ups, she was well, and didn't need to see a doctor until she got something that didn't resolve itself.

But, if a mama is going to use a Ped for anything other than sick children, I think she should have a good relationship with them, and actually like them. (I like my Ped, and only use her for sick children, though.) Often new mamas, with their first child, do need the "OK" that everything is "OK" with the baby, and that's fine. But, I do feel the doctor giving those OKs should agree with your parenting strategies, should like children (you'd be surprised) should be fine with saying "This will go away on it's own" and not be afraid to let a patient go out the door without a prescription and the parents should like and trust the doctor AND the doctor should know where his expertise ends (f'rinstance, Lactation, Nutrition, Sleeping ect are NOT his forte, unless he or she is specially trained after Medical School in these areas, because otherwise you are just getting Opinion, and that isn't any different than asking a freind.) Good doctors know when to refer to a Lactation Consultant, when to refer to a Nutrtionist, when to refer to an Occupational Therapist or a Psychologist. And, when to say, "I don't know."

A baby who has any respiratory symptoms or other troubling medical symptoms that don't respond to supportive home treatment or gets worse should get medical care. "Well" babies don't need doctors, IMO. I've never had a baby with RSV, but we've been through other things.

I'm glad she is feeling better. Hugs for Baby.

 

Thanks, Maggie.
The last time I was with the pediatrician, he told me to put her on a schedule for everything and that she'd be a better baby and not so bothersome. I was like....(). I don't want her on a schedule. So, I didn't follow that. He gave me papers and everything about how scheduling is so much better for babies and it gets them on a pattern and are easier to train for different things. I've never heard that.
I only take the advice if Alexis is sick. That's usually when I call him. I go to regular check ups for now. Just until I know that things are ok....I guess it's a new mom thing. But, I'm confident in the way I'm raising her, so I won't let him tell me what to do with her. I'll just cry about him trying to boss me around until I find a ped I'm happy with.

 

Good for you for doing what you know is right. Keep looking for a better Ped, and for now, just use this guy for definate medical stuff. After all, doctors don't come home with you, and you are under no obligation to follow their NONmedical "advice.

OMG. You can see where his thinking is. He thinks babies should be stifled and not "bother" adults. Jeez. I hope he isn't a parent. The sad thing, when I see a doctor like this, is all the moms who DON'T have the brains and instinct you do, and follow his non-medical advice and neglect thier babies, to the detriment of the child. This is just pathetic. There is a doctor at a hospital near me who has one baby after an other with Failure to Thrive, due to his strict adherence to "scheduling" and insisting his patients do this. He's even been reported to the AMA, but, doctors protect their own, so nothing is being done, and the babies in his "care" continue to suffer.

I am so glad you have the where-with-all to do what you KNOW is best for Alexis.

 

Oh, yea, he's a parent. To 4 babies. I can imagine what home life is like for them. I bet he raises them and not their mommy. It's sad.