Seeking Great Pediatrician in West LA (Santa Monica, Bev Hills, Westwood)

I am not sure if these pediatrician offices accept that specific insurance, but here are some reputable options:

* LaPeer Pediatric group

* Beverly Hills Pediatrics

* Peter Waldstein

* Jay Gordon

Best of luck,
J.
www.drjessicazucker.com

Not sure about the insurance, but I like Dr. Sharon Kaminker a lot. She's very thorough, knowedgeable, and not an alarmist. She's also great with the kids (and she looks exactly like Peppermint Patty, but that's neither here nor there.) The only drawback is that there might be a wait when you go because I don't think she limits how many clients she takes. However, she is really, really great about calling you back (will always do so the same day) and one time they even put her on the phone right when I called. I love that she actually loves questions, and I have a LOT, but I never feel like she's judging me or is in a hurry to get off the phone, no matter how "silly" and unurgent my questions might be. She also tells new parents what the next milestones are and does not assume you know everything a new parent should know (ie, tummy time, lying down their head on opposite sides when they sleep, etc). She is very western in her approach, so if you want a holistic approach you might have to go elsewhere. But, unlike some doctors, although she believes strongly in getting all the vaccines, she will let you space them our or skip them the way you want. A friend of mine had a recommendation to a pediatrician and then she asked for mine too - turns out her other friend had recommended (very highly) Kaminker too. She's in Santa Monica. Good luck!

Aviva Biederman, MD, 8635 West 3rd Street, 2nd Floor, LA, CA 90048 (Cedars-Sinai Towers) ###-###-####. Her partners are also terrific, Dr. Miller and Dr. Ouchi.

Let them know C. Turkell referred you.

From what I have heard/learned, the really good pediatricians take Blue Cross PPO or out of network (POS) but not HMO. However, I think Dr. Sharon Kaminker (at UCLA) takes HMO and she is our baby's ped. We like her but it depends what you're looking for - are you going to do staggered vaccinations or regular, do you want breastfeeding support? Are you into attachment parenting or would you prefer your child learn to sleep alone (sleep training) etc. I find Dr. Kaminker to be supportive of whatever parenting style you have but I think there are peds. who are MORE supportive of attachment parenting than she is. She has advised us to put our daughter in her own room and let her cry (not for hours & hours) but has helped with breastfeeding issues. So, I guess you need to tell everyone on Mamasource what your philosophy is if you have one yet and that will help other mamas advise you on which ped. to meet. You can go interview peds. and talk about what their philosophies are. Good luck to you & best wishes for your little girl!!!

PS If you're REALLY into attachment parenting you can get appts. with Dr. Sears in Dana Point. It's an AWESOME office but it's a long drive and if you're going back to work it's probably not feasible.

I have the same insurance (PPO) and I have Dr. Aviva Biederman at Cedars - great!! Great office too - just this morning they fit me in for an emergency visit.

Dr. Anita Sabeti is my Pediatrician. She takes Anthem and is located in Beverly Hills Near West L.A.

I would suggest you ask you OB/GYN what doctors from your list of providers she/he recommends. That is what I did and we have been very pleased in the past 2.5 years with our choice. We go to the practice of Dr. Lilliana Sloninsky. We have been pleased with the care received from Dr. Sloninsky and all the doctors in her practice. I don't know if she takes your insurance which is why I suggest taking your list of providers to your current OB/GYN. I believe doctors really do have a sense of which doctors are quality professionals. Good luck with your search and decision.