Seeking Pediatrician That Supports Attachment Parenting

I belong to the AP south facebook page. I know several moms have made recommendations on the page. My doc is in Oak Park, I bit of a drive from Orland, but I really like Dr. Hutton.

Pediatricians are medical Doctors.
They don't check up on your "parenting style." They check the medical health & well being of a child.
There are SO many kinds of parents, that go to a Pediatrician.

When you check out a Pediatrician, do you just talk about 'parenting' or are you concerned about their medical background and reputation and their approach to handling MEDICAL issues?
It is not about, asking a Doctor, if they like or dislike your parenting.
That is not their role.

Talk to other Moms... in any school or play group that you go to.
Word of mouth, that way, to find one.

You are looking for a Pediatrician.
They are MEDICAL, experts.
They are not in your home being a parent to your child.
They have an office to go to, for medical problems or issues or concerns dealing with, children.

We have never had a Pediatrician that dictated parenting, to us.
Nor did they ask what "style" of parenting we do.

What S.H. said. I am not sure what the issue is you are having with the doctors you have seen, but they are medical doctors, concerned with medical issues. They may ask about feedings and the like in regards to the child's health, they may even make recommendations, but doctors don't dictate parenting styles, they just talk about matters of health. The only way they would even know you "attachment parent" is if you tell them and bring up the issue.

Talk with other parents in the area, since "attachment parenting" is the norm right now for most parents (or at least some part of it) I am sure you can find a whole list of doctors who will be fine even if you do decide to bring it up.

Generally, when people hear "attachment parenting" they think "helicopter parenting" over the top connection. So don't label yourself right off because labels shut down communications in some cases. What you call attachment parenting may be, in the doctor's mind, completely appropriate. I bf'd my son till he was 2.5, and because he was healthy, my ped didn't have an issue.

Relax. Keep it to the facts medically. Don't label yourself. Ask for medical reasons if something doesn't match up with how you think. Docs don't know everything about parenting, but parents don't know everything about medicine.

Good luck in your search!

I wouldn't worry about it. I am an AP parent and I really hate when people don't understand what it is. It is not "helicopter" or indulgent parenting. My doctor (who is not AP) encourages immunizations and was not happy that I was nursing before bed and not wiping my son's teeth. He was not really happy that I was nursing several times a day at 18 months either. But he doesn't put me down or refuse to treat us. As long as they are approaching you in a respectful way, you need to be secure in your parenting. But I get it. My ped wanted me to supplement with formula and I have heard other peds push sleep training. There are holistic pediatricians and you can join your local chapter of Holistic Moms Network or La Leche Legue to get reccomendations. The issue of pediatrician value system becomes less important as the child gets older.

Try to ask at your local la leche league or breast feeding agency. Here in Los Angeles it's called The Pump Station. They sell books, etc supporting breast feeding. Pediatricians who support extended breast feeding will most likely be supportive of AP. Good luck! AP is the way to go!!!

I am completely unfamiliar with your area, but I wonder how you're addressing this with them. I mean, the label itself might be a turn-off if you're using it with them. People have different ideas about what all it entails. And those of us who favor that style might tend to come across as superior, because the very foundation of the label states that it's best.

My pediatrician hasn't tried to push anything. I haven't used any labels. I just let her know what I'm doing and what I want for him, and she gives me her thoughts on how to make that happen and keep us both happy. Maybe your approach is influencing the outcome.

Maybe you should make a list of what's important to you in a pedi and what's important to you as a parent and have THAT conversation.

If you like the doctor otherwise, you should just stay. I find that sometimes it's easier to "play the game" and just nod and pretend to agree with what they're saying if it contradicts your own philosophies on parenting styles etc...

totally agree with other posters.. talk to your ped about ear infections diaper rash... fevers.. you don't have to discuss attachment parenting.. whether the baby still sleeps in your bed.. or lengthof time you are nursing..

I would ask my drs opinion on some parenting issues.. but he is speaking as a father of 3 boys. not as a medical expert on parenting. so I take his advice as such.. I listen to him and do what works for my family.

Sorry but I have to diagree with some of the other responses. Yes your pediatrician is for medical issues but that doesn't mean they don't have an opinon on how you parent your child. A lot of people also look to pediatricians for parental opinions and decisions that are not medical. I am somewhat AP and my ped has put in her own two cents one too many times and has questioned what I do on numerous occassions. Now I like her a lot, she is a good doctor for medical stuff but she knows nothing about extended breastfeeding, thinks cry it out is ok, wearing my baby too much will spoil them and that cosleeping is dangerous. Things I greatly diagree with. I had a discussion with her that I pay her for medical information not dictating her parental style to me. We now have a very professional relationship. I have found a new doctor that has a much different view and am very happy with.
I think you are doing the right thing by looking for a doctor that shares your views. I found my new doctor at my local LaLeche group. If there isn't a group near you you could try finding a local AP group threw facebook or meetup.com.

I don't practice attatchment parenting, and I'm not sure what your specific issues with the doctors are, but I would recommend seeing a nurse practitioner. They can do almost everything a doctor can except for surgery and I find that they spend more time with patients, are more up to date on latest nutrition and health news, and more open minded. I'm sure there are many doctors who are the same way, I've just had much better experiences with nurse practitioners. I used them throughout my pregnancy and childbirth and my son sees one now. He really likes her as well. Good luck!

My good friend does AP and even home births. Her family is cared for by Home First in the Western suburbs. I am not sure exactly which suburb, but she lives in Naperville, so I am guessing it is around there.