Usenet Writings

Choosing a Pediatrician

Does s/he support breastfeeding?

©1995 Beth Weiss, Posted to misc.kids Usenet newsgroup, January 5, 1995

If you plan to breastfeed, I strongly recommend finding a pediatrician who supports breastfeeding.  Don't settle for one who says s/he supports breastfeeding, but find one who thinks that breastfeeding is best, has at least one nurse who is a lactation consultant (or is willing to give a referral), and is actively supportive of breastfeeding.

Almost all pediatricians will say that support breastfeeding, but when a problem comes up, they'll often say "why don't you try supplementing?" which is usually a death knell for successful breastfeeding.

When Jordan was born (2.5 years ago), my roommate in the hospital saw me breastfeeding, and was wondering if she was making a mistake by not trying to.  Her pediatrician stopped by, and the woman asked the doctor about it, and wondered if she should give it a try (her son was less than 24 hours old at this point).  Her pediatrician told her: you've already been through so much, just go ahead with the formula.  Her delivery, from what she said, was pretty normal, and she'd had an epidural.  I didn't understand the doctor's attitude, but I'm willing to bet, that if asked, she'd say that she supports breastfeeding.

My point, then, is to ask how the doctor supports breastfeeding. What support is there for a nursing mom who needs some assistance or emotional support?

Many people suggest that you find a doctor who shares your views on circumcision.  Unless the doctor refuses to do it and you want it done, or insists on always circumcising when you don't want it done, this issue doesn't seem to me to be as central, since once the act is done (or not done), it doesn't get revisited, unlike feeding problems.

Good luck with the choice of doctors!