General Practioner Vs. Pediatrician

I used to go to a pediatrician and switched our kids to the family doctor. I like having the same dr treat the whole family and the fact that the office seems to take me more seriously since I wasn't the 50th crazy mom they talked to that day. I don't see any benefits for a healthy baby that the pediatrician gave that the FP dr doesn't. Also, family practice drs seem to be more relaxed about things which worked better for my style of parenting.

Is it a family practitioner or a general practitioner? you're gong to be OK either way. But, remember that an FP is going to be responsible for volumes of knowledge about adults (high BP, diabetes, cholesterol, cancer screenings, etc). A Pediatrician is going to be up-to-date on kids only - that is their specialty. I am biased because we take our kids to a pediatric group.
Chances are, a pediatrician is going to be more aware of what's going on with kids simply because of the volume they see. For example: a virus going around, head lice outbreaks, etc. A FP may only see 3-4 kids per day instead of 20-30.
Both are board certified to treat from birth to adulthood, but there is a distinction. You'll be fine either way.
Hope that helps.

I am a huge believer in sending kids to a pediatrician. They specialize in kids and kid problems. They are also more in tune with kid meds and doses. I am friends with many health professionals who insist on taking their kids to a peds office, a peds urgent care and only children's hospital for their care. I think that tells a lot.

Hi C.,

We have done it both ways (family doc when we lived one place, pediatrician when we lived in another place). Both situations were fine because the individual docs involved were fine. As long as your GP is able and willing to refer you to good specialists if/when you need them, and you're satisfied with your daughter's care, I wouldn't worry.

As far as the vitamins, we gave them to our kids pretty consistently (still do, and they are teens now). Just as "insurance", if you know what I mean.

BTW it is great that you breastfed your daughter! ;-)

Hope that helps

K. Z.

Both of my children have gone to a pediatrician, and we've really liked it there. However, I think it's a personal decision and if you and your child are comfortable with your GP and they seem to be qualified to care for your child in most non-urgent situations, then what's to worry?

In regards to vitamins, both of my children have been breastfed for 1 year, but I work in the health, wellness, nutrition industry, and I know the importants of supplementing, even from a young age. And not just for cold/flu season, but always, b/c there's more than just illness to protect our children against and give them the best. I've been giving my children the kids nutrition that my company offers -- it's tasty chocolate or vanilla, convenient, and cutting edge with brain foods like Omega 3's etc. I can get you the info how to get it, but here's a link to check out more of WHY to use it: http://www.reliv.com/includes/userfiles/file/ProductPower... .
Wish you the best in both decisions that you have, I know you have your daughter's best interest at heart.

C.,

I have taken my kids to a pediatrician. But my pediatrician is double boarded in peds and internal medicine so my husband and I have moved over to her also. It is nice because she knows and treats the whole family so if I have a question about the kids and she notices that something is up with another kid or with me she doesn't hesitate to ask.

I guess it is whatever you are comfortable with. If you need a referral let me know.

L. - mom to 4 awesome boys (9-8-3-2)

Hi, C.!

I prefer taking my kiddos to a pediatrician, because children are their specialty. But I'm sure you're/she is fine with your GP. If something ever comes up that your doc isn't sure about, I'm sure he/she would send you to a specialist.

As for vitamins, I only give my children vitamins in the winter months, (starting in October, actually) just for that little extra help during cold and flu season. But once March hits and the classroom windows get opened back up, we stop.

Blessings,
J.

In my opinion, it all depends on the doc. I have a friend who alsomt died of a VERY TREATABLE disease as a teenager because her ped KNEW children couldn't get that particular disease. True, she is one of the youngest people on record to need treatment, but the only reason she got it is because she had a family friend who recognized some of the symptoms and insisted her mom DO something...the ped still refused to order ANY tests because she was only 16 and most ppl diagnosed are in their 40's,at least! Luckily my friends mom trusted her friend more than her ped and took my friend somewhere else for a second opinion, now she will be on meds for the rest of her life, but at least she has a life!! The Ped thought he knew more about my friend then anyone else because he had the special training, and kids just don't get that disease!!

On the vitamin side of things, one of my dad's best friends owns a sanitation company-emptying out porta-potties and what not. I have heard from him that they find more barely digested vitamins (some you can even still read the names off of them!) in the potties than any other inorganic matter. To me, that says that they must go right thru you, and exactly how helpful can that be? IMHO, most vitamins are a waste of money, feed your daughter a healthy, well-balanced diet and she will be fine.

A family physician knows just as much about caring for kids as a pediatrician. They all went through the same medical school program. You'd be surprised how many kids family docs see in a day, so they also know about different viruses that are going around and lice breakouts, etc. The pro to seeing a family physician is that they know your family because they take care of all of you. If there is something going on with your family ,for example an individual with the flu, they can take preventative measures with the rest of the family to try to lessen any other outbreaks. They know your family's history well and can use that knowledge to know how to best treat different illnesses. Plus, you can usually get a same day appointment if needed, something that's usually hard to do at a pediatrician. Hope this gives you some food for thought.

This is what sealed the deal for me as far as a Ped vs Gp. Yeah the obvious is the speciality of a pediatrition but there is one thing that a Ped office can offer that GP office can't. Flexible hours. My family doctor is open 9:00am-11:30am/ reopens after luch at 2:00pm and closes at 5:00pm. No weekend hours at all and the after hour emergency service is actually forwarded to an operator that sometimes takes three calls to get a call back. I would leave this office but I really like the doctor. But when it came to my daughter I went straight to a Ped. The Ped office hours during the week are 8am-6pm and they have emergency weekend hours during the day and after hour emergency calls are always handled directly by the Ped doc on call. Just imagine your daughter getting sick Friday night and not being able to see her doctor until 9:00 am Monday morning. As a first time mom I called quite a bit the first two years of my daughter's life. I know that my Gp would not be as patient with me and my constant worries.
My opinion : Go with a pediatrition.

Hi C.! Just my opinion, but I am a big on seeing specialists. A GP can't know everything about everything, you know? I wouldn't go see a regular Dr about my toothache, I would go see a Dentist- a specialty Dr. We have a pediatrician for our boys. One of which has lots of bladder/renal issues so he also sees a pediatric urologist and a pediatric nephrologist (kidney dr). I also prefer an ob/gyn to a GP as well. I agree with a prior post that they all have the same basic medical training, however specialtists focus thier training on the specific area they practice in, making them experts in thier field!

Bottom line. You need to be comfortable and confident with the care your child is given. If you are EVER in doubt, get a second opinion. A good Dr would never be offended. You are the #1 responsible party for your childs health.

Good luck with your decision!