Another New Doctor?

I previously mentioned that I was forced to find a new doctor for myself.  We also recently found ourselves in search of a new pediatrician.  The difference being that we weren’t searching for a new doctor for the boys because of insurance issues, we just weren’t happy with our current doctor.

We have had the same pediatrician since Jack was born and we were always quite pleased with the care that Jack received.  We went to a large practice, but for well visits, so one particular doctor.  He was fairly conservative and as first time parents, we liked that.  We didn’t really question it when he sent us the Magee when Jack was 6 days old for a follow up jaundice test even though he had little indication of needing the test.  When Jack’s iron levels came back within normal ranges but lower than average, we didn’t bat an eye at the doctor’s order to take him to have blood drawn at a lab.  In both cases, everything was normal.

In September when Xander arrived, we dutifully called our pediatrician the day we were discharged.  Appointments were scheduled and all was well.  Until Xander’s one month appointment.  First I began to notice the comments about not leaving Jack alone with X.  Then there was the recommendation to supplement because X’s weight gain wasn’t quite what he expected.  I declined on that recommendation.

At Xander’s two month appointment, I was pretty shocked to see that Xander’s weight gain was at the very bottom of normal, so much so that it was just a smidge inside the normal range.  Now, my husband may tell  you differently, but at this appointment, I basically felt bullied into supplementing.  I don’t remember much from the appointment (I left in tears), but I do remember that the only developmental question the doctor asked was if X was rolling.  Um, no, he is two months old.  The rest of his questions focused yet again on how we supervised Jack around Xander.

The next 6 weeks were followed with weight check after weight check.  Each appointment was worse than the next.  At one appointment, the doctor actually asked if I offered X another bottle is he was still hungry after a nursing and a 3 oz bottle.  It was like he was accusing me of starving my kid.  And when X finally started refusing to nurse and was 100% on formula, the doctor had absolutely no sympathy even though as I told him, my voice cracked and I was doing my best not to cry.  His response “It’s probably for the best.”

At this point I knew that I wanted a new doctor.  I began asking for recommendations but before I could make an appointment for well-visits, Xander had a cold.  A cold that lasted almost two weeks.  My husband and I discussed calling the doctor and I actually said that I didn’t want to call because I was worried that the doctor would over-react and we would wind up in the hospital ER unnecessarily.  At that moment I KNEW that we had to find a new doctor.  I no longer trusted this doctor to care for my boys.

A friend recommended her doctor.  I made appointments for well visits.  We were there for Xander’s 6 month visit a few weeks ago.  And yesterday we were there for a sick visit.  I can’t even begin to explain how happy we are with the new practice.  The doctors are great and the staff is so friendly.  Even calling for a sick visit was a much more pleasant experience.  I think we are going to be quite happy with the new practice.

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