Male or Female Pediatrician for boy?

erin234 · June 2012

We're having a boy and it's our first, so this is my first time finding a pediatrician. I want to find a female doctor for him since I feel like I could connect better with a doctor who has had her own kids and could give me advice from mom to mom. However, a friend suggested a pick a male so he can stay with the same doctor until he graduates high school (since a teenage boy would probably not want a female doctor).

Thoughts? I could always change down the road, right?

mindymaske · June 2012

I just attended a family planning confrence for work and one of the lectures was about teenage male clients. Ironically studies show that teenage males prefer female clinicians. I was suprised by it

babyike · June 2012

We currently use a female pedi for both DD and DS. But if DS ever wants to switch to a male pedi, there's one already in the practice we go to if needed.

Yes, you can always change a few years down the road. Go with the pedi that has similar goals/focus/priorities as you and your DH. For example, breastfeeding was/is my biggest goal and priority, so we picked our pedi's office because that is also their top agenda with newborns (next to overall health of course).

HTH and GL!

noah-bear · June 2012

DS's last one was a woman and he's only seen a woman at the one out here. I don't really care either way as long as DH and I are comfortable with them.

I'm sure when DS gets to a certain age/maturity he'll want to see a man which is fine by me.

mamahawk12 · June 2012

We picked a young female pediatrician for the reasons you mentioned. It has worked out wonderfully and my son absolutely loves her. I'm not too worried about what may or may not happen 10-15 years from now. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Nikko Blue · June 2012

I don't think it really matters. If all he knows is a female doctor, that will be normal for him. If he ends up being uncomfortable down the road, you can always switch. I think it's more important to pick a doctor you are on the same page with.

babypaloozyvan · June 2012

Mine is a male, but just because we loved him, nothing to do with his gender. LO is a boy BTW...

rp-chicago-mom · June 2012

Here is my question: what if you have another child and it's a girl? Will you have two pediatritians? If they both get strep, will you drive one to one ad the other to the other? I've had great and horrible doctors and it has had nothing o do with their sex.

PaisleyRuth · June 2012

We see a male pedi for DS, just because I really, really liked him when I visited the practice and met several of the doctors. He is relatively young and has 2 boys himself, who are just a couple years older than DS. So it's been really helpful to have him say "we did X with our boys," etc. and also have that male perspective. I plan to take DD to him when she's born though, too. If either of them wants to switch down the road, then fine, but early on I think it is more important to go with someone YOU connect with, like, trust, etc.

irer · June 2012

Scout2005:
I pick on qualifications and my own personal feel about the doctor as a professional.
I had a male pedi growing up. It was never an issue. I have no idea why having a female doctor would be a problem for my son.

Ditto...I just don't think it is an issue. If he would prefer a different doctor when he is older, then that is his choice but at this stage, no biggie.

pixieprincss · June 2012

I would go with someone you connect with no matter their sex. Your son can give his opinion when he actually has one. As for mom advice, personally I don't ever invite our doctor to weigh in on anything other than medical information. In terms of parenting choices, a doctor is no more or less qualified as a parent than any other person. Even among doctors, views on parenting choices like where baby sleeps, discipline, solids methods, breastfeeding duration, etc. vary WIDELY.

Personally, DS and I both see the same male family practice doctor who I have been going to for 5 years.

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