Brady's pediatrician

Yesterday was Brady's 2 month appointment with the pediatrician. Brady received 4 big shots in his thigh muscles. Ugh. Brady did well, but obviously he felt sore and tender for the rest of the day. Bryan took good care of him and figured out that Brady was most soothed in his swing. Whenever we picked him up, until the evening, he cried in pain. Poor guy. At 8 pm, he ate 6 oz and went to sleep. When Bryan tried to feed him at 11 pm for his regular last feeding, Brady was not interested. He slept through the night, from 8 pm to 6 am.

I am thinking about switching doctors. It's not that this doctor and his staff are bad, it's just that I don't feel so comfortable when we leave. Here's what I don't like:

* Dr. G doesn't want to discuss, even briefly, what vaccines are all about - you know, like side effects. And personally, I am also interested in the history of vaccines, the purpose (protecting the herd/protecting the individual), the side effects, the benefits, the whole autism thing (what is this all about any way? who decided to put themerisol, a known neurotoxin, in vaccines? I don't care if that is a reason for the increased cases of autism or not, it just does not make any sense to put a toxin in something that is for young children.) I want to know about that! And I want to know what MY health care professional thinks about it. I personally have chosen to vaccinate my child, but I still want to know more about this - and not just from what I read on the internet, etc.

* When I first met with Dr. G before Brady was born he said, "The only way we won't get along is if you don't want vaccinations... Blah, blah, blah."

* Brady's belly-button has not fully healed. So Dr G said he would just use silver nitrate to close it right up, easy. But, you know, I just didn't like the idea of using silver on Brady's skin. I do trust this doctor and I do realize that, although I had never heard of silver nitrate, it is obviously used often, etc. I simply did not feel comfortable even asking the doctor if we could avoid using silver. Shame on me for not saying anything. I am too old now to feel uncomfortable asking questions especially when it comes to Brady and his well-being. And so now I am pissed that I was a coward about that.

* When parents take their child to the pediatrician, especially their first-born newborn, it is a big deal. While it may be routine, even boring, for the staff, it is an event for the baby and parent. Why don't they get this?

Whoever the assistant or nurse was, who came to weigh and measure Brady, lacked basic communication skills and compassion. She did not introduce herself, did not explain what she would be doing, did not mention his weight or length to us, and did not say hello or even look at the little baby in front of her as if he were a real person. When she returned to administer the shots, she thankfully was very efficient, but again, she was more like a robot, than a caring nurse. I don't expect a lot. I am not high maintenance. But I do want a little acknowledgement for my child and myself. And I do want enough conversation to say hello, how are you, my name is, and here is what will happen today. And you know, it would even be nice to be asked how the little guy is doing - and isn't he a sweet baby (or whatever she could muster up.)

* Finally, I would have appreciated if Dr. G would have let me know about pain relief options for Brady so he would have been more comfortable for the rest of the day. My sister-in-law told me last night that her doctor suggested she bring baby Tylenol with her and they would show her the proper dose after weighing her daughter.

Does the doctor just assume I know these things?

* Oh, and one more thing, when I told Dr. G that Brady was eating organic and regular formula, he said, "I don't know how much more you are spending on organic, but it really makes no difference. All the proteins are broken down the same, yadda, yadda, yadda. So I don't know how much more you are spending..." Actually, it is basically the same price. I hope it makes a difference to Brady's health, but if not, I know it makes a difference to the cow and how she is treated. I felt as if he was almost rolling his eyes at me ("another silly new mother who believes all these crazy things about organic formula.")

And he suggested I use vaseline, VASELINE, on Brady's skin because it is a little dry. Sorry, but I will not be using a petroleum product on my baby.