I took my 7 month old to pedi yesterday for check up. All the sudden, pediatrician is giving me tips on being a good parent, how to wean my baby off of night nursing etc. None of this was necessarily asked for, and I was just wondering…since when did pediatricians become parenting experts? I know they are child experts, and I’m sure they, like anyone have their own opinions on how to raise a child, but is it their place to give parenting advice when not asked for?
Enjoy More Parenting Related Blogs;
- Q&A: Pre-med student question *aspiring pediatrician*? | What Is Career Development | career development plan example
- Why Your Child Needs Phonics Instruction | child-education.net
- Do you think parents should stop paying for everything the day the kid turns 18? Please read Q b4 answering? | Car Insurance Features
- Out Citys – The Child Custody Checklist
- Eminem’s good parenting advice « Neil McCormick
- How to Find A Fine Pediatrician | Ingenious 24
- Some Parenting Resources You May Wish To Make Use Of For Your Youngster | Home Safety For Kids
- Child Nutrition Issue: Experts to Discuss Diet Effects on Mental Performance of Children
- How to Find A Great Pediatrician
- Good Parenting Tips and Advice for Raising the Difficult and Argumentative Child | Kids and Teens Children Media Summit
Tags: being a good parent, child experts, Parenting Advice, Parenting Experts, pediatrician
16 responses to Should a pediatrician gives parenting advice?
I don’t feel it should be given unless asked for but I suppose in a day and age when a parent could sue because they weren’t told that you shouldn’t leave the baby in the bathtub while you go answer the phone, it’s probably necessary.
He’s just trying to help, why do people get so touchy over it? No offence but an expert will now more about that than you.
They have an obligation to inform. What you do with that information is your choice, however sometimes there are alot of inexperienced parents who don’t know what to ask and then don’t get vital information. What is it costing you to let him talk but a couple extra seconds in his office.
yea my doc gives us info even though this is my second child and im about to have my third but honestly there are really helpful tips every now and then, just listen and be grateful ur doc is doing his/her job so thoroughly!
gee let me see… uh because it’s their profession. They see – oh about a hundred or more children a month.
Come on, take everything in a possitive way. Ultimatley you make the final decision.
I ask for ours to give any advice they can at every appt. We go to a place that has 8 peds, and you don’t always get the same one. They range from late 20′s all the way to mid 80′s in age! I’m open to any and all advice they have to offer. The eldest of the staff has 6 kids, and 10 grandkids…if that’s not enough to offer excellent advice, then I don’t know what is.
I wish they offered more advice, usually we have to ask about something specific or ask "do you have any general advice for this age". Doesn’t bother me a bit in the world, I know I don’t have all the answers, so I’d like to gain as many as possible lol.
It used to be that grandparents and extended family were generally living right nearby and provided that resource. Today, that’s often not true. I’m okay with my pediatrician giving parenting advice … I’m actually glad of it (less so now than with my first child, but I still certainly don’t have a problem with it). It doesn’t mean I have to necessarily follow or agree with everything she suggests, or that just because she has a medical degree makes her opinion on co-sleeping or reading aloud or carseats have the power of law. But especially for first-time parents, better some resource than none at all, and a pediatrician is someone that every parent spends a fair amount of time seeing in that first year or so.
My pediatrician tells me things of this kind all the time. He’s just trying to help and especially if I ask, that’s why he’s there. He will be the first to say he’s a DOCTOR and not a behavior expert, but he gives me his take on things. He’s a pediatrician, has been in the field for MANY years, he’s a well educated and respected doctor, and I enjoy his opinions or his take on things, even if there are times when I may not 100% agree with it.
If you don’t like what he said to you, ask him to refrain next time. Or find another pediatrician. There might be some around that just look at your kid and send you on your way….but then you’re just a number. And I’d rather be family than just a number when it comes to my child’s pediatrician.
Really you are upset because a DOCTOR who has spent his/her whole life working with and around children is giving you advice/
CHILL OUT, if there is any one you should listen to it is a real DOCTOR and not some book!!!
I think they should and look at it as a good sign when they do. There are too many parents who lack common sense. And there are SO many things, both common sense and not, that little details can easily be overlooked. Even if you already know what they have to say – it is probably good practice for them to discuss issues. I know that my doctor(s) welcome my feedback and opinions. They seem to like hearing about different parenting approaches and how they are working out for me. But they are also quick to offer the "tried and true" type practices.
"how to wean your baby off of night nursing" sounds a little odd. At just 7 months? But I guess you do have to start thinking about that at some point if you want to experience a good night’s sleep. (and teach your kid to do the same) And once kids get teeth, drinking milk then falling asleep isn’t necessarily good for them.
hmm… sorry, went off into lala land for a while. To answer your question: Yes, I think it is their place to give parenting advice at each visit. And it is your job, as a parent, to take their advice into consideration and decide whether or not you want to give their ideas a try.
As long as the advice is given diplomatically, I’ll listen to just about anyone. It’s when they start judging me because I have chosen to do it differently that it’s time to go. For example: when my kids were 4 and 6 I took them into the pediatrician and he diagnosed the flu. He also lectured them on their crying and whining. I was so incensed that he had so little compassion for their aches and pains and that he over stepped his boundaries by lecturing them right in front of me as if I weren’t in the room. That was the last time we ever went to his office.
It sounds like he was contributing what he thought you’d find helpful. Not only is some of it pediatric related, but he’s in a terrific position to learn what worked for other moms. Why not share some of it? You dont have to take his advice. Just smile and be polite until he’s through. I guess I don’t get why it ticked you off in the first place.
maybe it’s because they listen to hundreds of parents a year and as so have an idea of what works and what doesn’t. Would you discount your vets advice just because they don’t own a dog, or your oncologist because they haven’t had cancer? Are they experts… I would say yes.
did you ever think maybe because he’s your baby’s dr. and just might be a very good parent also.
My pediatrician gives great parenting advice. I’ve met with him several times to discuss various issues.
All the best.
I know exactly what your talking about,i took my baby when she was 2 mths for her shots the next thing i knew the pedi came in and started telling me all these things i needed to do different,i thought wow i did’nt know i came here for a parenting class,she even told me i needed to get my baby use to a binki,last time i checked that was optional,and it really offended me among other things,after all i’m 35 yrs old.anywayi i feel that if it is in the best interest of your childs health and is the best thing to do that’s one thing,but there’s a limit to others opinions unless asked for.
Leave a reply to Should a pediatrician gives parenting advice?