Long gone are the days where you are part of a practice that was built on relationships and customer service. In today’s world, you are just a number. As a Mom, finding a pediatrician you love is painful. I can’t tell you how many we have been through. Unfortunately, I’m not sure the search ever ends.
As a parent I want someone that can relate and empathize when things get tough. Understand that not every child is the same and a textbook isn’t always right. Most importantly, I yearn for someone that isn’t going to send me on a guilt trip with every visit. After all, their job is to help guide us as a parent. Provide us with expertise so we can make educated decisions about our children, right?
I’ve started to wonder if this elusive pediatrician even exists. It seems whenever I leave the office, it’s usually with my tail tucked between my legs. That feeling that I’m a horrible mother. So to maintain my own sanity (and confidence in knowing my children best) I have realized there are certain things that I’m just not telling my pediatrician. These things are just best kept a secret.
Here are my confessions:
- My recently turned 1-year old is still taking a bottle. I know you told me she should be drinking from a sippy cup, but she just hasn’t developed that skill yet. I promise you, we are trying. However, I’m really just not that concerned this transition still hasn’t taken place. When she’s ready, we will make the switch.
- I know she should also be drinking milk and exclusively eating table food at this point. Unfortunately, we aren’t there yet either. Due to some sensory/texture issues she is working on related to food, she is just not ready to be at that stage. The formula she is drinking (from her bottle) will continue to flow until I feel confident she is able to eat enough table food to gain the nutrients she needs.
- No, I did not stop using that teething necklace you lectured me about. I understand your concerns. However, after considering your reasons, I have chosen to continue using it.
- Both of my girls are still sleeping in my room! I know the baby should have transitioned months ago. I also know the 5-year old should be in her own space. However, this is one of the ways we cope since my son died (in case you forgot). They do sleep in their own “beds”. With everyone in the same room we actually get more sleep than we ever did with kids sleeping on their own (and this is with a baby that still wakes up 4+ times a night for whatever reason). It just works for us right now.
- On mornings where I am just too exhausted to function (did you hear I have a 1-year old that still wakes 4+ times a night?), I put my 5-year old in front of the TV for a little screen time while I take a nap. The baby is beside me safely playing in her crib. We really don’t manage screen time much anymore. Honestly, it’s one of the things I just don’t find that important anymore. I know she will still be a well-adjusted child.
I know I can’t be alone. What secrets are you keeping from your pediatrician?
6 Comments on “Confession Time – What I’m Not Telling Our Pediatrician”
You are 100% correct Emily! Each child is different and you…you…not the doctor knows your child’s normal. so when you take the child to the doctor because something is wrong….and they think your crazy…again…it’s because you know how your child is normally …and when something is off…they don’t!
I agree completely!! I thought about this a lot that last night when I first took Cameron to the ER. I kept saying his behavior was so off. They didn’t take me seriously, but I know it was because they didn’t know his baseline to see just how right I was.
Emily, I admire you so much for continuing to write your blog and your courage. For letting us in to read about your life. I am glad you brought up this subject. Just took my 5 year old to the doctor today. She is not great at bedside manner, just doing job, in-out as quick as possible. My daughter weighs 44 lbs. She is the pickiest eater I have ever seen. Doc said we should keep her in this weight bracket for the next year like she has weight issue. Getting her to eat what she does is a job in itself. Not every child will weigh “textbook average” at same time along with everything else. Thanks from Lisa Bromley 🙂
Thanks, Lisa! Sorry to hear you’re not having great luck with your doctor either. That seems crazy that she would be concerned about her weight. Anymore I feel like a doctor visit is just to check the box. Get something we need (medicine/vaccines) and that’s about it. Thanks for continuing to read. 🙂
My 2 year old is 37 lbs.. my doctor says he is growing beautifully. My other son is small (30%) and one of the doctors has always said this is because I brestfed. Everything he ever had “wrong” with him (constipation, didn’t gain weight in the first week of life, his shortness) because of breastfeeding. She even told me she isn’t for the more “natural things”… needless to say I will not ever see her again, unless my child is sick and needs a quick visit and she is the only one available… but I love the other 2 doctors too much to leave…
It is so important to have a doctor you love and trust! Especially one that supports you. How crazy to have a doctor put you down for breastfeeding! For everyone else it would be the opposite. I would do the same thing. That doctor is only for emergency situations.