I have a question! Pediatricians? When do you start looking for one and what is that even like? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of setting an appointment to interview one.
I have a question! Pediatricians? When do you start looking for one and what is that even like? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of setting an appointment to interview one.
We did not do this ahead of time with DD. We lived in a really small town and there was only one pediatric center so after just told H to pick anyone after she was born. The doctor he picked ended up being one of my triathlon club mates and we adored her.
Then we moved and the options were endless. I was overwhelmed and just randomly picked one. We've been a few times and don't really care for the doctor or the practice so I'm going to put H back on the hunt. Honestly, we won't interview anyone. And a couple just built a house on our street; she's a pediatrician and he's a pediatric surgeon, so if I see them I might ask for their opinion. I don't really want to use her thoygh, being neighbors and all I'm not sure how I feel about it. But we really need to get on the hunt for a new one...
therealbug I honestly wouldn't sweat looking for a pedi too much. Call around and ask questions about the practice. Do they have sick visit hours daily? Same day appointments for sickness? Dr's on call? Weekend hours or open on Saturday for sick visits? Those are super important questions. As for the Dr I called and asked the front desk person to assign me to someone for L and S. I told her I preferred a female because L is usually more comfortable with them and then when there were several choices after that I asked for her recommendations and she assigned me the one we see.
IMO pediatricians are there for when your child is sick and to make sure they are growing and developing appropriately. I don't accept parenting advice from them because that's not their job.
If you find that you don't like your pedi then it's really no big deal to switch to another practice or even to another pedi in the same practice.
therealbug we didn't really research pediatricians too much and we didn't interview either. We just found out who did rounds at the hospital we delivered at and picked the practice that was closest to our house. Some people prefer to choose pediatricians that are closer to their work.
Post by luciddreamer on Apr 9, 2017 11:16:57 GMT -5
I asked friends and my OB for recommendations, I heard a few of the names over and over, so just picked one. We didn't do interviews and really liked him. Then we moved and I just picked someone. I didn't really like him, so we picked a new one and she's great.
Post by madameovary on Apr 9, 2017 12:43:40 GMT -5
I looked at who was available on our insurance, then went to their websites. My husband is very picky about doctors so we usually go with MD from the best schools. After we moved I just went by websites and saw most of the FAQ about waiting areas, vaccine philosophy, hours, etc on there . I never interviewed.
I have one. When was the absolute soonest you felt like you could leave the baby for a few hours? I'm going to be in my last semester of grad school when baby comes. Luckily my due date is over my 3 week summer break and they've already said they won't let me go past my due date, but if I make it to 40 weeks I'll be schedule to go back to school the next week after delivery. It's only for 3 hours once a week. Is that doable one week after delivery (assuming all goes ok and I have an uncomplicated vaginal delivery)? I do plan on BFing.
For anyone who had c/s, what is that recovery time like?
therealbug we picked our pedi based on insurance (linked to my hospital plan) and how close it was to our house. It also is in the same area as daycare so that's nice. We like them bc we can always get a same day sick visit and they have evening hours. Generally we like them. I take their parenting advice (when to feed, what to feed, etc) with a grain of salt.
cali one week PP might be a lot. With my first c section I wasn't moving well until 2 weeks. My second I was moving faster. I wasn't cleared to drive until 2 weeks.
I have one. When was the absolute soonest you felt like you could leave the baby for a few hours? I'm going to be in my last semester of grad school when baby comes. Luckily my due date is over my 3 week summer break and they've already said they won't let me go past my due date, but if I make it to 40 weeks I'll be schedule to go back to school the next week after delivery. It's only for 3 hours once a week. Is that doable one week after delivery (assuming all goes ok and I have an uncomplicated vaginal delivery)? I do plan on BFing.
For anyone who had c/s, what is that recovery time like?
I think it's doable, but I wouldn't want to. We were supplementing feeds at that point so she was able to take a bottle, and at night I would go to bed and let h do the last feed. So that's not really too different than me leaving her for a few hours.
I had a c section and was in the hospital for 6 days. By the time I was released recovery wasn't too bad, but moving was still painful. Not so much that it kept me from anything, though. Just bothersome.
therealbug, We first looked at insurance. Next we looked online for good reviews. Set up an interview and really liked her. Also the ER near the pedi is linked with her office and so he would get the same care there as he would at the pedi office. After he was born she came and checked him out in the hospital. We were there for a second day and she also checked him out again the second day.
cali that would be hard but if you absolutely had to you might be able to do it. But I would see if you can get your professor to let you do some of the work online or make up some somehow/do extra readings. One of my best friends had her first during our last semester of grad school with 4 weeks left in the semester. They just let her do some makeup work from home. You have to factor in travel time as well as the three hour course, so depending on how often baby is eating you'll want to pump in the middle of class anyway.
Here's one: How did you decide what infant carrier to get? I'm thinking a wrap not an ergo type thing where you have to spend even more money on an infant insert bc I honestly don't know how much I'll be carrying. Maybe just in the grocery store type thing. I also have a hx of bad back and chronic back/neck pain where I used to take a muscle relaxant every day (it's better after a lot of PT & massages more often than not), so idk if carrying will happen a lot or if it can, if I get a really good carrier. I like the wraps but idk if it will work with my back/neck issues?
Here's one: How did you decide what infant carrier to get? I'm thinking a wrap not an ergo type thing where you have to spend even more money on an infant insert bc I honestly don't know how much I'll be carrying. Maybe just in the grocery store type thing. I also have a hx of bad back and chronic back/neck pain where I used to take a muscle relaxant every day (it's better after a lot of PT & massages more often than not), so idk if carrying will happen a lot or if it can, if I get a really good carrier. I like the wraps but idk if it will work with my back/neck issues?
I didn't know what kind I liked with my first. But I didn't really baby wear so not a big deal. With my second I baby wore more and realized I hated the ones that I had. I found a wrap didn't offer enough support. So with your back/neck issues it may not work. I had a cheaper carrier and felt it offered no support. I asked friends which ones they liked and why when I decided to buy an expensive carrier since I was using it more often. I got a Tula carrier. I love it. So basically see if you can borrow from a friend or buy second hand until you decide that works.
cali that would be hard but if you absolutely had to you might be able to do it. But I would see if you can get your professor to let you do some of the work online or make up some somehow/do extra readings. One of my best friends had her first during our last semester of grad school with 4 weeks left in the semester. They just let her do some makeup work from home. You have to factor in travel time as well as the three hour course, so depending on how often baby is eating you'll want to pump in the middle of class anyway.
If class is discussion based I think this kind of arrangement is ideal. Skype in maybe? Conference call a friend in the class? I would think that they've encountered this type of thing before. I'd say 3 weeks? C section might have you on some narcotics.
Here's one: How did you decide what infant carrier to get? I'm thinking a wrap not an ergo type thing where you have to spend even more money on an infant insert bc I honestly don't know how much I'll be carrying. Maybe just in the grocery store type thing. I also have a hx of bad back and chronic back/neck pain where I used to take a muscle relaxant every day (it's better after a lot of PT & massages more often than not), so idk if carrying will happen a lot or if it can, if I get a really good carrier. I like the wraps but idk if it will work with my back/neck issues?
I don't baby wear too much anymore because I have a lot of chronic pain and she's heavy. But I do still use my ring sling and woven wrap for short trips. When she was tiny I liked the stretchy wraps for around the house. If I was going out for walks or anywhere that she would be in the wrap very long I really liked woven wraps. If you do it right they will give you the most support. I also liked the k'tan for quick trips when she was little. It's just so easy to get hey in and out of, but it's not great on the shoulders so I never wore it more than half hour or so at a time.
I don't have a soft structured carrier, but if that's what you want I've heard toy can just use a rolled up towel/blanket under them instead of the insert. I'm looking at getting one and have been asking a bunch of places and it's between a kinderpack or a tula. Those are the two that I have heard are the most comfortable and supportive.
If you can get to a babywearing meeting that's a good place to try out carriers before deciding on what to buy.
Eta- the stretchy wrap and k'tan where h's favorites. He doesn't like woven wraps because the learning curve is much higher.
addymac I have a k'tan I registered for based on multiple friend's recommendations and the fact that I wouldn't have to figure out the wrapping part myself.
addymac I have a k'tan I registered for based on multiple friend's recommendations and the fact that I wouldn't have to figure out the wrapping part myself.
this is what I have - I love it, and I use it all the time. My dude is still little, but I can comfortably wear him in it for hours.
I K'tan my one month old. My husband didn't like wearing it, he said it made his back hurt. He didn't mind the ergo though.
I have one. When was the absolute soonest you felt like you could leave the baby for a few hours? I'm going to be in my last semester of grad school when baby comes. Luckily my due date is over my 3 week summer break and they've already said they won't let me go past my due date, but if I make it to 40 weeks I'll be schedule to go back to school the next week after delivery. It's only for 3 hours once a week. Is that doable one week after delivery (assuming all goes ok and I have an uncomplicated vaginal delivery)? I do plan on BFing.
For anyone who had c/s, what is that recovery time like?
This would depend on so many factors. I left DS1 with H while I went to college a couple hours a day when he was about 5 weeks old. It was hard and I was sore after my vaginal delivery. I would not want to leave my baby sooner than 5-6 weeks TBH, especially if I was trying to establish a BFing relationship. All newborns want to do those first few weeks is non stop nursing. Then they poop, sleep, and nurse some more.
Post by sarcaztic10 on Apr 9, 2017 20:42:16 GMT -5
addymac I am addicted to buying wraps and carriers. If I were to have to choose only one for NB stage it would be a size 6 woven. I do like the stretchy wraps like the Moby too. They provide great back support and a well broken in woven is cuddly and tight enough for NB carrying. I would suggest getting a used woven from a BST group that way it's already soft and broken in because breaking it in yourself just before birth or after is a PITA.
For older babies (5-6 months) I like the Wrap Tai by Lenny Lamb because it is quick and easy to put like a a traditional buckle carrier but has wide wrap tails that go across your back for better support.
Post by AmazingTulip on Apr 10, 2017 7:36:31 GMT -5
therealbug, I didn't do a lot of pediatrician research. I knew there were a couple practices that would visit our hospital, so I picked one of them. I think there's a few things to consider - do you want a small practice or a large practice? What kind of hours are important to you? My pediatrician is open 7 days a week and they have evening hours, so as a working mom, it is hugely beneficial to me. I can also get a sick appointment any day at anytime.
cali, One week after birth would have been tough for me. I couldn't really sit comfortable for about 3 weeks thanks to stitches. That being said, I don't think 3 hours once a week would have been impossible, just not pleasant.
addymac, I had a moby and an ergo with my first. I wasn't a big fan of the Moby. It felt really hot and I sweated profusely in it (even with a fall baby). The ergo worked well for me but I didn't use it until later. I'm going to try the k'tan and a ring sling this time.
or we have other local FB based babywearing groups
for newborns I like a linen ring sling, but the one shoulder may not be good for your back...the stretchy wraps (moby K'tan) didn't last that long for me as baby got bigger, but I much preferred the K'tan to the moby...I didn't really like the soft structured carriers (ergo,etc) when you need an insert....Tula and Kinderpack both make an infant size carrier that you can adjust the width to accommodate smaller babies and should last through 8-30+ lbs
a woven in your base size (most people are a 6) would give you the most flexibility, but usually have a higher learning curve....I like a front wrap cross carry for newborn stage. there are a ton of YouTube tutorials out there....
therealbug, we picked our first pediatrician at about week 30 I think, and went to the info sessions at various offices to pick the one we liked best. We liked that our old office was small, walking distance from our apartment, and that they required vaccinations. When we moved, I went with recommendations and we've been very happy with our office so far.
cali, I had a c-section and I had a pretty comfortable/easy recovery. I was moving well within a few days - I remember taking a cab to my daughter's first peds visit (1 mile away) and then walking home, which was slow, but manageable (though 1 mile was the outer limit). As far as emotionally leaving her, I found that much harder and I'm not sure if I could have done it the first week if I weren't leaving her with her father/my mother.
addymac, I got mine in a "gift bag" from The Biggest Baby Shower Ever (sponsored by Big City Moms). It's a Beco Soleil and I LOVED it. Very comfortable for both my husband and I to wear. I was never comfortable with the wraps because I wasn't confident in my own skills. We used it with the insert when she was very small, and it was fine, but it did seem like a lot of carrier for such a small baby. I may get a (Beco) Gemini for new baby.
Post by shandorfml2 on Apr 11, 2017 7:50:39 GMT -5
cali, that would be hard, honestly. With angel DD I had a vaginal delivery and was still bleeding rather heavily at 1 week PP. You will be sore and if trying to breast feed you will be sore in the boobs as well. Someone would need to bottle feed the baby when you are gone. With rainbow 1 I had a c-section, and was still on pain medication and not allowed to drive until 2 weeks post surgery. I'd avoid going if I could until at least 2-3 weeks PP for pain/bleeding/BF issues
BFP# 1 7/7/12 Beautiful DD born still at 36 weeks 5 days on 3/2/13 BFP #2 8/7/14 Rainbow DS born 4/2/15 Started adoption process July 2016 BF#3 8/29/16 DD2 born 4/21/17
therealbug, with regard to the pediatrician question, you don't necessarily need to pick one that does rounds at the hospital you are going to deliver in. Mine didn't and I just called them when I got out of the hospital and they got me in the next day. I picked my pediatrician by asking around and taking the highest recommended.
addymac the moby was a life saver in the beginning, as well as my ring sling. Now I mostly wear in the ergo, but ds is a year old. I baby wore in the grocery store, everywhere. I refused to carry that infant carrier because heavy.
Post by peaseblossom55 on Apr 11, 2017 11:20:39 GMT -5
cali, I had a section and because E was in the NICU I went back to work about 2 1/2 weeks later. It was fine, the biggest issue was my maternity clothes were big and my regular clothes were too small. Although I just have a desk job.
Ask a grad? Apr 11, 2017 11:24:14 GMT -5via mobile
Post by cali on Apr 11, 2017 11:24:14 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice and sharing your experiences. I think it wouldn't be a big deal to miss the first week of class, so hopefully I can stretch to 2 weeks PP before I have to leave her. When I do go she will be with MH (or if for some reason he can't be home she'll be with one of her grandmas) so hopefully that will make it easier.
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