I interviewed several pediatricians when I was pregnant. In my perfect world, my baby's doctor would have the credentials of House, M.D., the passion of Dr. Doug Ross and the wellness approach of Dr. Patch Adams. I guess two out of three qualities isn't bad, especially when two of my archetypes are fictional characters. Don't get me wrong...we adore Marlie's pediatrician. She has a wonderful bedside manner and tons of patience for neurotic mommies like me, but she doesn't embrace homeopathic remedies.This doesn't necessarily bother me, except when she unnecessarily prescribes medicines/products that contain health compromising ingredients. In the case of Marlie's eczema, her treatment was to wash with Selsun Blue (contains many nasty chemicals such as laureth sulfate and DMDM hydatonin), apply a 1% over-the-counter cortisone cream (contains a steroid), and moisturize with Eucerin (contains Dimethicone) for 10 days or until it cleared up. I wouldn't use some of this stuff on my dog, much less my baby. I may not have a medical degree, but I do have what my mother-in-law refers to as a common-sense degree. I know there has to be more non-toxic ways to treat baby eczema. So, after consulting some natural mommies, I developed my own course of treatment. Her eczema is clearing up and I'm not fretting about toxins wreaking havoc in her body.
Of course I will follow doctor's orders if Marlie has a serious condition. I'm not going to try to treat pneumonia with herbs. I'm not foolish. I'm just a mom who believes her daughter's long-term health outweighs the risks of exposing her to toxic chemicals, even for a little while.
Have you ever gone against the pediatrician's advice?
13 comments:
I tell you, there's SO MUCH MORE information out there now than there was when my babies were babies... 10 years have passed since I had my first, and I trusted EVERYTHING my doctor had to say. But only after I found one that didn't make me feel like an idiot and with whom I could relate. I fired quite a few until I found a pediatrician who was a mom of two girls the same ages as mine, and who understood me as a MOM, and knew that she wasn't omnipotent, and that I had a right to voice my opinions/concerns as they related to my daughters. She was a great doctor, and we trusted one another. The same for our current pediatrician. This is what's important, right? And good for you for finding another way that suits YOU!
Eczema just sucks! My son had it so bad as a baby on his hands and my baby girl has it, too. We've tried it all and there were some creams with a steroid that actually he was allergic to!
I have found the ONLY thing that keeps it under control is bathing them with Aveeno gentle soaps, drying them and immediately following, cream them up as much as possible with basic Aveeno creams.
I always say you have to follow your gut and if it's not what the doctor says, you are the mother so you know what is best for your child.
I don't think I can recall a specific instance, but I do know that with my daughter, I KNEW she had an allergy long before the pediatrician would admit it. Don't get me wrong, she is a brilliant Dr who does have the qualities you described in your ideal ped. but they also have to try what they know FIRST.
In your case, wow, I'm surprised they recommended those things...
I'm considering a homeopathic doctor. Is this insane? I'm over western medicine like woah.
following you now!
Well you know me...I want to know how did you do it? What did you use? How often? What made you choose it? And why?
My sister had the most AWFUL eczema as a child...I mean just so awful that it would make me and mom cringe. She still gets occasions that it comes back, so I want to tell her what you did so she can repeat Dr. Mom Teresha!
You know both of my girls had eczema. It was related to what I was eating, but you already cut some things out of your diet. I'm so glad that she's clearing up. What did you end up using?
I went against our Ped's advice when we moved to MN in 2008. He would ask me if I was ready to vaccinate Ava at every appt. I would smile and say no thank you. He never said, you had better, or you should, but he never failed to ask me if I was ready to either.
There are a ton of natural remedies out there, it's sad that we have to dig so far to find them.
Thanks for entering my giveaway!! :) I am a new follower!
now i have twin girls and my first one has realllllllllyyyyyy bad excema even till today! I would say its all about CREAMING them up daily!! I used clear destin multipurpose and worked like a charm!
I used everything possible because it was so bad she used to itch in her sleep :( n bleed sometimes!
Good luck!
love ur blog ill be a faithful commenter now :)
So what are you using? My kids have it and I've tried everything. Right now this lotion called "cerave" is beautiful on my guy. LOVE it. A gluten free diet has also helped some...and removing the cats from the house. It is a super frustrating condition though!
Good for you! I totally believe in informed consent and I don't think most Drs give that. I'm glad you did your research and things are feeling better for Marlie!
Sometimes you just need to hear it... You are a beautiful woman, inside & out. You are an exquisite mother, who can make a way out of no way. YOU ARE A GREAT MOM !!! You are doing a fantastic job and are very loved!!!♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ post this on the blog of moms...Mom's who always put their kids first and who balance it all. I just did!
Do you own a copy of Natural Healing for Babies and Children? If not, grab a copy, it's a Godsend, I tell you. I can't tell you how many well-meaning pediatricians Kris and I have fired since Marley, and the same w/ Sage. Many of them indeed still give the side-eye at homeopathic remedies, as if we're saying we'd rather our children die than use standard western practices. I'm happy Marlie has a mama that is smart enough to do what makes sense, which is NOT always what the doctor orders.
Teresha what else can I say.You're a wonderful and great mother!
Good for you , doing your own research is really great!
hugs
Good for you for following you mommy instinct! I did the same and that led me down a natural path to elimination diets, alternative treatments and homeopathic medicine - most of which worked and helped us get to the 95% eczema free days, where my four year old is today. I'm afraid if we would have kept up with the ever increasing doses of steroids that my son may have eventually become addicted to the toxic stuff, like we see with Red Skin Syndrome aka Topical Steroid Addiction. That is a truly terrifying condition.
Again, congrats to you! Your little one is lucky to have such a wonderful momma!
Jennifer
http://itchylittleworld.com
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