Attachment Parent-Friendly Pediatrician
We've had many threads on pediatricians, but this one is certainly unique. Any advice for Kristi?
I have a question about pediatricians. I have a 6 month old son and I’m beginning to realize that my parenting style (Attachment Parenting) is not particularly supported by my pediatrician, especially when it comes to sleep habits and fostering a long-term breastfeeding relationship. I like the features that the office offers such as evening and weekend hours and especially the advice line which will answer my questions in a flash. My question is: are there pediatricians out there that support the Attachment Parenting style? If so, will I be sacrificing some of the office features? Or should I just fib to the pediatrician and do my own thing anyway?
my daughter, my husband and I all see dr. kristin kocher at providence gateway family medicine, and she has been nothing but supportive of cosleeping, extended breastfeeding, delayed vaccinations, etc. we are really happy with her. the providence system is extensive, and I imagine they provide most of the benefits you're used to, but you'd have to check in to the specifics. I think you'd be better off with a doctor who knows about and supports your choices, because he/she would be able to provide information to you based on that knowledge.
Posted by: sarah | May 26, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Dr. Monique Pritchard (MD)at Sellwood Medical clinic is very open to that type of parenting. She has a wonderful advice nurse as well. It seems naturopaths are usually very geared towards attachment parenting principals. We love Jen Gibbons at the Natural Childbirth and Family clinic but insurance doesn't cover ND's for us.
Posted by: lily | May 26, 2007 at 05:24 PM
I second Dr. Pritchard. After our first visit with her I felt like she and I were very much on the same page with parenting styles (I'm not sure if I am 100% vested in attachment parenting but I seem to fall mostly in the realm).
After our second visit I realized that what was really happening is that she was listening to me, and was supportive of my choices. They may or may not be the choices she herself would make with he own children, but it didn't matter - they were MY choices for MY child and she supported that. And I think that is so important in a pediatrician. Of course, no doubt she would speak out if she thought something was harmful to my daughter, rest assured!
Her triage nurse, Sue, is also fantastic. When I called in a concern she very quickly called me back and scheduled me in for a quick visit with Dr. Pritchard one day before I was to leave on a vacation.
I could go on and on but you get the idea.
Good luck!
Posted by: Melissa | May 26, 2007 at 09:35 PM
We like Dr. Pritchard and her nurse Sue also! We have seen them since the birth of our first child and they're great. They're a real team and Sue is totally on the ball and knows her stuff and is very helpful.
Dr. Pritchard has always let us do things our own way - in the earlier years I got more of a "I won't interfere but I may not totally agree" vibe and more recently she seems really on board with attachment parenting. Maybe that's because she's a mother now!
I've heard good things about Dr. Kristin Kocher too.
Posted by: anne | May 27, 2007 at 09:18 AM
I like Dr. Audrey Unrau...very supportive of attachment parenting. I know others who are happy with her as well.
She is located in the meridian park hospital office building.
The Children's Clinic
Dr. Audrey Unrau
19260 sw 65th ave suite 340
tualatin, or 97062
(503) 691-9777
Posted by: michelle | May 27, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Are there any Kaiser pediatricians that are attachment parenting friendly?
Posted by: makena | May 29, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Thank you for the great ideas! It looks like they are all covered by my insurance too. I'm starting to feel more confident in my own parenting choices. It helps to have other parents around you who are supported. Thank you!
Posted by: Kristi | May 30, 2007 at 11:45 AM
We've lived all over the US, and I've found that Attachment Parenting is cultural, and not accepted by the majority in many areas of the country. So, when we move, I ask for referrals for a pediatrician. But if that fails, I look for one from a culture which supports Attachment Parenting. Our last three pediatricians have been Indian, and not only have they supported our parenting style, they also offer a more holistic approach to health and healing. I would recommend Dr. Gopal at Pediatrics Assoc. NW.
Posted by: Borntoshine | June 02, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Looks like Dr. Pritchard wins! I add another vote -- she is fantastic. I cycled through quite a few peds until i found Dr. P. She is a keeper! And Sue is super too, quick to return phone calls.
Posted by: summer | June 02, 2007 at 12:35 AM
For an attachment-friendly doc on the Kaiser plan, try Dr. Wendy Lin at East Interstate. She is very supportive of extended nursing, does not give me a hard time about cosleeping, and has worked with us on an alternative vaccination schedule.
Posted by: kim | June 04, 2007 at 01:46 PM
Any more recommendations? I have essentially the same issue - very happy with our clinic's hours, nurses/assistants, and advice line, but our pediatrician is not on board with my parenting style as to sleep or feeding of my one-year-old son. He wants us to cry it out and quit the bottle cold turkey, and we're not willing to do either of those things. Thanks!
Posted by: Liz | June 25, 2012 at 12:07 PM