Why do so many people see a Pediatrician w/ LO?

indy_chic · November 2011

We only saw the specialist 1 wk after the baby's birth ever since then we only see GP.

MommaA117 · November 2011

I am not sure I undertand your question?

We go to the pedi for shots and her check ups.

Matt Dvorak · November 2011

because it's a doctor who sees kids?? A GP is fine too, that's who my siblings and I saw as kids. We are going to a pediatrician because we found one that we like and I do like seeing someone who specializes in kids.

Snow1010 · November 2011

I don't think I understand your question either.

Some people see a family practitioner, but others see a pediatrician.

If we had a family doc that we loved, we probably would have taken LO to that doctor. But DH and I both have "primary" physicians that don't really see babies so we decided to choose a pediatrician.

jmo866 · November 2011

I think every city/ town health unit is probably set up differently. The city I grew up is only about 45 mins from where I live now and they hook you up with a pedi when you give birth. It happened when I was born, and same now for my friends. Where I live now, they only send you to a pedi if there is an issue, otherwise, you have to see your family's GP. If you don't have one.. well not so sure.

suzyqjmu · November 2011

It's the norm around here to see a pedi. There are plenty of them in the area, and it is not considered seeing a specialist at all. Maybe it's different depending on where you live. I personally had never heard of any children not seeing a pedi until going on TB.

MommaA117 · November 2011

Oh okay so you view a pedi as a specialist? No, here that is her "regular Dr"

I guess we could go to a family doc but I prefer her going to someone who sees kids exclusively. I did as a child too.

Karma01 · November 2011

The norm here is to see a pedi. My doctor is an internist and does not see children.

chelwig89 · November 2011

idk about other places, but around here especially, the GP don't seem to know the details about young children's development, so many things are overlooked, such as physical development delays, etc.

law&order · November 2011

I take LO to my family practice doctor, but only because I love her AND she specializes in maternal/child health, did a fellowship in this specialty, and cares for many young babies and children. Otherwise, we'd take him to the pedi too.

I like the "full family care" style, personally, but I'm also confident in her training and experience with babies.

IlliniQT · November 2011

A pedi isn't really considered a specialist around here, it's the norm for LO's here to see pediatricians since it's their area of expertise.

JoyfulW&M · November 2011

I wanted a family practitioner because I wanted all of us to go to the same doctor and not to have to change doctors in the future...I had the same doctor from infancy until we moved last year...and I miss him. I had a great doctor/patient relationship with him and I want that for my kids, and for them not to have to start again as an 'adult'. But I couldn't find one that wasn't overly full, we couldn't even get a sick visit within 2 days, and when my baby had jaundice at 4 days and needed to be checked she told me to find a different doctor because she didn't have the room for a new patient who would need as much attention as a newborn potentially needs. I'm glad she told me instead of trying and failing to do a good job, but it was disappointing as we have the same parenting philosophy and we got along so well.

It took me a while but I finally found a pediatrician who could see my baby the day after accepting him as a patient, and doesn't throw a fit about us delaying vaccines. Not only do they fully support breastfeeding, one of his doctors told me he is such a healthy baby growing so well that he would like to see him exclusively breast fed until he is 9 months or past if he doesn't show signs of hunger after nursing and keeps gaining well!!! I'm so excited and don't plan on changing any time soon.

indytara · November 2011

LadyXaverian · November 2011

Are you in Canada, by any chance? I'm from Canada and back home pediatricians are specialists for sick children, so kids just go to the GP for their appointments. But where I live in the U.S., pediatricians are GPs for kids.

jessicaclare · November 2011

My kids see a GP because I absolutely adore him. He actually sees almost everyone in my family from my Grandma on down. If I had an internist that didn't see kids, I would have used a pediatrician, but because we love our GP so much, we're sticking with him.

BabyBoyNYC · November 2011

the same women that delivered DS are the same ones I go to for shots, etc its awesome

indy_chic · November 2011

That all makes perfects sense

Sorry - I should have been more clear. Yes...I'm from Canada. Typically, babies (children) will only see a Pedi (baby doctor) if there is a specific concern, illness, something that a general practitioner may not be able to diagnose. Otherwise we (babies too) are seen by family doctor who has been trained in all aspects of medicine (family).

Have you had bad experiences with GP's? I suppose if I didn't like our doctor and she didn't at least have children of her own and exhibit the knowledge that she does have, I likely would exercise the option to see a Pedi too.

Didn't know if I was missing out on something, that's all

laurakaz13 · November 2011

I was confused by this question as well. A pedi is a doctor who specializes in the care of children. That's why I take my baby to one.

damabo80 · November 2011

I've never had a gp see anyone under 18. 0-18 goes to the pedi, 18+ goes to a gp. I thought this was the norm.

indy_chic · November 2011

Sounds like it is for the US.

vstevens · November 2011

indy_chic:
That all makes perfects sense
Sorry - I should have been more clear. Yes...I'm from Canada. Typically, babies (children) will only see a Pedi (baby doctor) if there is a specific concern, illness, something that a general practitioner may not be able to diagnose. Otherwise we (babies too) are seen by family doctor who has been trained in all aspects of medicine (family).
Have you had bad experiences with GP's? I suppose if I didn't like our doctor and she didn't at least have children of her own and exhibit the knowledge that she does have, I likely would exercise the option to see a Pedi too.
Didn't know if I was missing out on something, that's all

I'm Canadian, and my sisters and I all went to a pediatrician when we were little - none of us had anything wrong or specific need to see one, that was just what was done. It was fully covered by provincial insurance. Not sure where you're from? We were in Toronto. My friends who have kids back in Toronto all take their kids to pediatricians, not GPs...weird.

AmandaP678 · November 2011

From what I understand, pedis are geographical. I'm dead tired so I'm going to try and formulate sentences here. So if you live in the middle of no where youre more likely to see a GP other wise its a pedi unless you have a personal reason, like you like youre gp or somthing.

darmca · November 2011

I'm Canadian as well (SW Ontario- small city) and I saw a Family Doctor growing up and my son and I see a Nurse Practitioner now (my husband sees the Family Doctor he saw as a teen etc).

I was unhappy with my family doctor and found the NP takes more time with us to go over my concerns, monitor my LO, asks more questions etc. He is in less of a hurry than my Family Doctor was (he actually said "I am going to shoot and run") and is far more knowledgeable about breastfeeding, and even shots (the Family Doc gave LO one of his 2 month shots in his knee- ow!).

Some people in my city see Pediatricians but I wanted to be able to talk about my own health concerns at the same appointment (ie. LO isn't gaining weight, I have supply issues, give me a domperidone prescription, BTW I need to get back on birth control etc).

I think it comes down to personal choice. My NP taught one of the prenatal classes I took, he has 4 young kids of his own, he also CDs them. His info is current and he loves kids. Would I have picked an NP who had no kids? Maybe, I guess I'd have to meet them (my midwife was a really young girl (mid 20's?) with no kids).

indy_chic · November 2011

vstevens:
indy_chic:
That all makes perfects sense
Sorry - I should have been more clear. Yes...I'm from Canada. Typically, babies (children) will only see a Pedi (baby doctor) if there is a specific concern, illness, something that a general practitioner may not be able to diagnose. Otherwise we (babies too) are seen by family doctor who has been trained in all aspects of medicine (family).
Have you had bad experiences with GP's? I suppose if I didn't like our doctor and she didn't at least have children of her own and exhibit the knowledge that she does have, I likely would exercise the option to see a Pedi too.
Didn't know if I was missing out on something, that's all
I'm Canadian, and my sisters and I all went to a pediatrician when we were little - none of us had anything wrong or specific need to see one, that was just what was done. It was fully covered by provincial insurance. Not sure where you're from? We were in Toronto. My friends who have kids back in Toronto all take their kids to pediatricians, not GPs...weird.

It sounds mostly like it's a choice thing for most people.

I am from Toronto (however I do not currently reside there). I have 4 other siblings and we all saw a GP. To be honest, none of my family or friends/ that I can think of) see a Pediatrician either. But as I said, if I didn't like my GP and didn't trust her sound opinion and medical advice, I would be asking for a referral

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