Pediatrician?

[brewso.livejournal.com]

I apologize if this has been discussed before, but I am apparently not very adept at searching the archives.

I am 20 weeks pregnant, and my doctor recommended today that I start thinking about a pediatrician. It seems early to me, but I guess it's never too early to research. So, does anyone have a local doctor that they love? I am pretty crunchy as mamas go, and really want someone who will respect the following: delayed vaccing, exclusive breastfeeding, co-sleeping (in a bassinet or co-sleeper, not directly in the bed). I'm not big into medicine, either, (although I do respect its necessity with big illnesses) so someone who at least entertains alternative remedies and doesn't just immediately grab the prescription pen would be great.

Thanks! 

Comments

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I second the recommendation for the SomervilleMoms group. Although there are plenty of parents on the Davis Square LJ community, you'll get a lot more comprehensive info from a group that's dedicated to parenting discussion.

I also can't resist putting in a plug for Dr. Deborah Bershel of Davis Square Family Practice. She's actually a family doctor, not a pediatrician per se, but she is great with my kids. I switched to her when I finally got tired of our old doctor blaming everything under the sun on extended breastfeeding. I'm on my second child nursing past the age of 2 and I have to say it's great to go to an appointment and not have to feel like I'm immediately on the defensive. Dr. Bershel also fits your other qualifications as well. Feel free to email me offline for more info if you want.

[ckd]

I'll second the recommendation for Davis Square Family Practice; I've been going there for many many years. (No kids yet, so I can't specifically speak to the pediatric care, but I see no reason it would be lacking.)

[genevra-mcneil.livejournal.com]

I third the rec for Dr. Bershel. She's been our ped for three years and is very laid-back, very reassuring. We did extended breastfeeding (2.5 years), co-sleeping in the bed, etc. I'm pretty strongly pro vaccines, so I don't know her opinion on the vaccine thing, but she's often suggested alternative therapies.

What's more, on our first visit, she wrote down her cell number and handed it to us and said, "If it's the middle of the night and you can't get ahold of the on-call doctor or if you're worried about something, call me. Any time. If I wanted to sleep, I wouldn't be a pediatrician."

She is the best.

I'll also second the Somerville Moms list on Yahoo. It's a great resource and a nice mix of opinions.

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

We're being very selective with the vaccines we give our almost-2-year-old, and she's okay with that. Not entirely happy - she'd rather have us doing the standard program. But she let us know that, made sure we had thought the issue through, and that's pretty much that. Our daughter was born at home, co-sleeps in the bed, still breastfeeding, it's all good. Oh, and Dr. Bershel offered homeopathic remedies when our daughter had an ear infection. (Thanks, but I'd rather go straight to the antibiotics for that one.)