Anybody using a general family practitioner as a pediatrician?

Pinksundrops · August 2014

Was so not looking forward to finding a pediatrician for LO so when I ran into my family doctor while I was pregnant, I asked who she recommended. She said their office does baby visits, too. Since I LOVE them - no wait, easy appointments, they spend tons of time during the appointment, recommend more than just the normal go to doctor items, and more, I'm going with them. With the first appointment on Friday, though, I'm realizing I'm getting nervous wondering if family practitioners see enough babies to realize all the ins and outs! Anybody have any experience, advice, or thoughts on using a family practitioner as a pediatrician one way or the other?

susanskowera · August 2014

I'm using a family practice Dr for ours. We've been in this area for about 2 years, but I've never had the need for a doctor, so I basically just chose this guy because he was conveniently located. Bonus that he is actually a nice and capable seeming guy! (We met with him a week ago for our wellbeing check). I was seen by a family Dr when I was little, and if we still lived close to my hometown, I would most likely go to that same guy. I, personally, would go with someone you know, trust and already have agood rrelationship with.

JuniperGaze · August 2014

Our DD sees the same doc that we do. She is a family practitioner, but also sees lots of children. She is wonderful and we love her. There are actually 2 docs in the group that see children and they are both great. It makes it pretty convenient that the doc knows both of our histories. I like the family practitioner-type relationship we all have.

lindslalala · August 2014

My kids see my MW as she is a nurse practitioner too. We have a great relationship, and I trust her. We only have one pediatric group in town- the waits are a nightmare, you get whatever doc is available and it's very impersonal. Do what your gut tells you, you can always change if you aren't satisfied.

Hilee18 · August 2014

I see a family medicine doctor, I work with him and see him also. About half our doctors at our clinic are internal med/peds or family practice. They do know all about kids, some see more kids than others, but they all know what they are doing at my clinic.

AMcLaws · August 2014

We have a pediatrician, but our family PCP does also do pediatrics. I didn't know this until DD1 had already established a "relationship" (for lack of a better term) with our ped. She adores him, and I didn't want to switch it up.

iris427 · August 2014

I've taken my kids to a family practice for about 3 years now. They've been just as good for regular pediatric care as a peds practice. And I like being able to use the same doctor for the whole family.

I switched to family practice after my daughter and I both caught strep throat from another child, and I realized we'd either have to go to two separate doctors to get antibiotics, because her pediatrician wouldn't treat me, or go to urgent care.

kmawb · August 2014

We're using our family doctor (family practitioner) for DS. He sees the whole family (DH, myself, DD and now DS) and is fantastic! If he comes across something in which he is not well versed or is out of his knowledge/practice base he refers us to a specialist. We encountered this with DD already when she had a blister type rash on her scalp that he wasn't able to diagnose so he referred us to a paediatrician and then a paediatric dermatologist who diagnosed it as psoriasis and helped us clear it up.

shamyfowler · August 2014

We were using our family doctor. I've known her my whole life and our town has never had a pediatrician until just recently. When I called to mae an appointment with our doctor for DD2, they referred us to the pediatrician until she's at least two months? I did like the pediatrician, but I would like to go back to our family doctor as soon as I can.

MississippiCatfish · August 2014

We all go to the same family medicine doctor. He's delivered both of my boys and now cares for them. I'm very happy with him!

bewilderingstar · August 2014

Logan's doc is a family practioner. He is in integrative medicines too so its a win win. I had to beg to have L seen though because he won't accept new patients. Thankfully he said he will let my husband, mother and I become patients since he took on L's care.

Eta fixed a word

1982Babies · August 2014

Yup, I am using the same doctor who delivered me (I started seeing him at 32 weeks, since my nurse practitioner can't deliver babies). He's awesome.

Pinksundrops · August 2014

Thanks ladies for the encouragement!! We went this morning feeling great going thanks to you all. Turns out the doctor we saw who I love is a pediatrician/internal medicine by degree, which is even better! Still love her, the doctor, and LO is doing great - up two pounds already which was my guess. Thanks for all the thoughts!

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