Our Last Well Baby Visit

Today the boys had their one year well baby visit. It will also be their last well baby visit. I also will be switching to a new pediatrician. I'm sure our current pediatrician thinks I'm a wacko, but she can think that if she wants. Her out dated research and narrow minded attitude is not what I need or want from a pediatrician.

My sons are not circumcised. I do not believe circumcision is necessary. I think it is ridiculous to do it for cosmetic or social reason. I have read and researched this topic at length. I have also recently read up on caring for uncircumcised penises. In case you are wondering ... you don't do much with them. And you don't let your doctor do anything to them. There is no reason to pull the foreskin back. The pediatrician today started to pull on Nathan's foreskin and I said, "Oh no, we don't pull on that" and I took her hand off my son's penis. I couldn't believe I did it. I was at first scared of what I did and then I was extremely proud of myself for stepping in and protecting my son from someone who should know better. She proceeded to tell me that my son's penis will close off if I don't start pulling his foreskin back. I think she is wrong, and I have the literature and research to prove it. Strike one against her.

Then the subject of vaccinations came up. Yes, I will vaccinate my children. I'm not sure when they will be vaccinated and I'm not sure what they will be vaccinated against at this point. The more I read, the more I'm scared to vaccinate. The research is not bonk, it's not a bunch of hipppy hype. It's really scary what the big pharmaceutical companies are willing to do to hide and or manipulate research. I do believe that vaccinations are good. The question becomes, how much, when and which ones. I'm still working on that. Still reading, learning and trying to figure it out. For now, the babies have never had any vaccinations and they are healthy with fantastic immune systems! Jake has had all his vaccinations and he too is healthy with a great immune system. Her lecture on vaccines, wasn't horrible this time, but it is still a strike against her. Strike 2!

She asked me about their nursing and eating. I explained that we are doing baby led weaning. I explained how it worked and loaned her my book to read up on it. She said, "most babies can't eat that way". I told her I disagreed. She told me she's not just a pediatrician, but she has 3 children. She went on to tell me how her 9 1/2 month old (at the time) choked on a teething biscuit. I asked her to clarify, gagging or choking? I think he was gagging, she said choking, she was there, she was a doctor so I'll have to take her at her word. I asked her if he'd been fed purees? She said "of course" so I gave her my two cents and told her that's probably why he was gagging (or choking) on the teething biscuit. She proceeded to tell me that I'm lucky my children haven't choked. Strike 3 your out! 

I had their hemoglobin levels checked. Nathan was border line and Wesley was a little low. I am now reading up on that. It surprises me because Wesley eats way more meat than Nathan. I think the nurse might have mixed up the samples but she swore she didn't. The thing that really irked me is when the nurse said, "Well they do look rather pale". I said, "my very Caucasian infants who never go in the sun are pale". My husband is Norwegian, I'm German/Welsh. Were' lucky their not blue their so white caucasian. Then she asked me if they eat paper and stuff off the floor. Well, yes, they do, like most babies. It was an extremely odd conversation.

I really don't think my babies need check ups when they are perfectly healthy, hitting milestones and not having any issues. I think I'm an intelligent enough person to figure out if there is a problem. I doubt after today's visit that I'll be jumping at the chance to do WBV or to see this pediatrician again.

Comments

[maggie]

I give you credit for sticking to your guns. I can't say I agree with all you have written but you sound confident in your decision and you are their Mom! I have two girls so I have no idea about the whole penis thing :) -- my kids were vaccinated but I spread it out a bit and felt comfortable with my decision. My doctors have always been pro-vaccination. They pressed to do it "on time" but I did it my way. My daughter choked/gagged a few times when she was learning to eat (I had to do the himlik on her- and i know i spelt that wrong :) ) so I have to go with your doctor about the eating issue - it was too scary to see her choke not to see the danger. She tried to stuff it all in so quickly that she would not chew enought. So scary. I would never be able to do the BLW. At any rate, I hope you find the perfect doctor!

[erin]

you crack me up! I am so proud of you for getting that ladies hand off his penis! That's so insane!!! What was she thinking?? I've seen my boys pee and that hole pops right open when it needs to.

vaccines are soo tough. I also see their benefit but am really scared. So far I've waited four years for one child and haven't gotten up the nerve to give her one! Maybe she should get tetanus!? Haha... I dunno!

I didn't do blw, but am super intrigued. I'm so glad you stood up for yourself! GO D!!!

WHAT does the eating paper have to do with anything? That was hilarious. Good luck finding a new doc...sounds like a good choice.

[summer]

I agree with much of what you said:) Ben was cut because that is what my husband wanted, and they only took a little off and it kinda grew back up, and his doc before I could say anything at age two went and pulled it very hard back down! It bleed for days! We changed doctors. My adopted son was also cut in the hospital but only very little, so at this point hard to tell, and as the above poster said, it pops in and out when needed. If I had to do it over again with my own son I wouldn't EVER do it unless I had some major medical reason! I am happy you did what you did! We have spread shots out here and so have most of my friends. I also only give the ones I feel as a mom will be helpful! I myself do the fly shot but have't done the N1H1! You are a GREAT MOM! You do what is best and that is why you are the MOM!

HUGS Summer

[Amy]

Yikes! I'm so glad our male doc is also uncirc'd so he was more knowledgeable with our son - also uncirc'd. We do push it back gently, but only as far as it goes on its on to was in the bath. Actually, he does it himself now.

We vac'd on time, but I think as long as you are doing the research, your kiddos will be just fine with whatever you decide.

We are doing a mix of BLW and purees (I know, totally against the recommendations). DD needed the extra calories due to her size and slow growth, so I needed her to get more food than she was getting on her own.

Hang in there momma! You're doing great!

[Kathy]

Paper? huh? I wonder what she would have said about Gabbie licking the bottoms of shoes.... ;)

Sounds like this doc is definately a "my way or the highway" sort...which bugs me too. There is definately more then one way to skin a cat.

They're to pale? Seriously? in your dessert you should have been commended for that you would think. Good job keeping then skin safe.

Odd doc!

[Shannon]

LOVE it! You are such a super mama D :-) My BLW baby has never choked either. For that matter, none of my IRL friends who do BLW have had choking incidents. Of course, we also do not give those nasty gooey processed teething biscuits (although I will admit we have a slight mum mum addiction here).