If pregnancy finds you eating organic foods, setting up a non-toxic nursery and planning for a natural birth, finding a holistic pediatrician for your baby is the obvious next step.  A holistic practitioner is one that considers alternative medicines in addition to western medical approaches, and one who is as committed to prevention as to treatment.  They’re also incredibly hard to come by, at least around here.  You lucky folks in Portland and Seattle, have NO IDEA!

As I was saying, you’ll want to do some looking before baby is born to “audition” your pediatrician.  Obviously, you want someone who promotes breastfeeding and feels comfortable with whatever choices you’ve already made.  For example, you don’t want to find out at your first appointment with your newborn that your doctor abhors cloth diapers or feels co-sleeping is downright negligent.  These differences of opinion may be fine amongst friends, but when your doctor holds differing views on baby care, it’s truly difficult to form a trusting relationship.  If an alternative vaccine schedule is important to you, definitely bring that up too.

Discussing “hot” issues is a good first step, but don’t stop there.  You want to get a feel for how committed your doctor is to good, green medicine.  Does she prescribe antibiotics at the first sign of ear infection?  Is he informed enough to recommend probiotics when an antibiotic is necessary?  It’s very difficult to anticipate how a doctor would really approach a situation unless you ask open-ended questions, such as “How do you recommend treating ear infections?”  Dr. Greene, a pediatric expert and practicing pediatrician, has a well-written list of such questions with pointers for the parent that will help you “judge” the doctor’s responses.  I appreciate that Dr. Greene included some personal questions, such as “Do you buy organic foods for your own family?” that would allow a parent to understand where the doctor is on his or her own journey towards healthier living. 

Ultimately, you may not find a “perfect match” in your pediatrician.  I was not able to!  But, if you get these things out in the open before baby is born, you’ll be that much more prepared to deal with any criticism when it does come.  And, hopefully, your doctor will also understand and appreciate where you are coming from, so he doesn’t pressure you to “catch up on your vaccinations” every time you visit the office!