https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:40:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500918 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 13:07:44 +0000 PawPrints 2500918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: That is amazing.</p> <p>We chose a family doctor that a friend recommended. I made the choice because I figured LO would be less exposed to a million other kids' germs than she would be in a bustling pediatric practice versus this fairly tiny family clinic. And also extremely important, I liked that I would be able to get a last-minute visit much more easily with her than I would with an uber-popular hotshot "best in the field" pediatrician (people in this city tend to flock toward "the best" ones, and I can only imagine how long it takes to get an appointment). If LO ever had a real medical problem, sure then of course we'd go see a respected specialist. But for her well-child visits and ear infections, we really don't need all that.</p> <p>I have received some out-of-date advice from her (she wasn't informed about &lt;6 mo sunscreen recommendations and hadn't heard of BLW) but that's really not a big deal to me since I do my own research on all those non-medical parenting issues anyway. As for the nurses, one of them really knows her shit when giving shots and the other guy seems more nervous, but I really have a hard time imagining that infant shots would go any more smoothly with a more experienced nurse - they were super quick and she screamed, then she got over it, the end. </p> <p>I also liked her personality and I liked that I can walk to her office from my front door. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500873 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 11:41:35 +0000 Torchwood 2500873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't feel strongly either way, so I'm no help. But I had to come say- apparently I spend too much time on HB before bed. I dreamed last night that someone commented on here with this long, sanctimonious comment saying that "the truly godly option would be Chick-fil-a" and why they're best (yes, as a health care option for your kid). Dreams are so weird; I do not recommend a fast food joint for a doctor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500871 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 11:19:24 +0000 sarac 2500871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Family practice all the way. We see one, and our whole family sees him! He even did my husband's vasectomy. They're fabulous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500867 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 11:02:24 +0000 Finfan 2500867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love our pediatrician. There is a family practice shortage in our area. DH and I both see the same internal medicine doc and love him but he doesn't take kids. It's much easier to get a sick visit at our pediatrician and they are open 6 days a week for sick visits. We've never been able to get a same day sick visit at our doctor and usually wind up at urgent care since we tend to get sick on weekends anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500798 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 07:35:24 +0000 Ms maths 2500798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mother is a pediatrician, so it never occurred to me to not take the kids to a pediatrician. Also, FP doctors are in very short supply around here--neither DH nor I have doctors we actually like, but there isn't anything better--so we didn't have a lot of choice.</p> <p>What I like about the kids' medical care:<br /> -We have a designated primary doctor that sees both kids for all well-child check-ups. I feel like he knows our kids really well, and it's nice to have that consistency.<br /> -We got to select our primary ped from anyone at the practice, and we personally love him. He fits our expectations for care well and it's really clear that he stays up to date on kids' care. (All doctors have continuing education I think, so maybe our experience with him isn't unusual. But, in addition to a great experience during visits, he has done follow-up research on issues for our kids and called us after-hours to share what he's found.)<br /> -But when either kid is sick (either for an after-hours call or a sick visit), we always get to see/talk to a pediatrician so they are always knowledgeable about kids' care.<br /> -The nurses all love children, are comfortable caring for them, and seem to have good strategies for shots, etc.<br /> -The waiting are is set up for kids.</p> <p>I don't have much experience with family practice, so all of these pros might be just as true with many family practice doctors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500792 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 07:27:56 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2500792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use a pediatrician.<br /> I feel strongly about getting specialized care from those with the most current research at hand.<br /> Our pediatrician is an IBCLC and has been so helpful when I've had breastfeeding problems. There is an urgent after hours clinic run in their office and I can get sick visits at the drop off a hat.</p> <p>A very close friend went to a family doctor with her boy and has been given very outdated advice on feeding, sleep, and car seats. She is actually now taking him to our pediatrician. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500785 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 07:10:29 +0000 MenagerieMama 2500785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also biased: I'm a family practice doctor. But I think if you have a great relationship with a doctor then stick with them! We're great at pediatrics ;) My nurses are fabulous at shots and kids get a book to keep at every visit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500773 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 06:22:37 +0000 tinyperson 2500773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a paediatrician near our house because our family doctor is downtown close to work (at least to my office - DH works closer to home now) and he also doesn't take babies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500772 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 06:21:07 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2500772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We go to a family practice but it's a husband wife team and they have seven kids. So they are very comfortable with kids and babies. They are very laid back and conservative in their medicine which we like. The nurses are great with shots. </p> <p>The only reason I would switch is if we had reflux issues or other more complex newborn issues. Then I would want advice of a very up to date pediatrician. But since we are using them for just well child visits basically it's been fine </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500764 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 05:54:08 +0000 babybean404 2500764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went with a family practice and switched to a pediatrician when my LO was 9 months. We loved our doctor, but when he was unavailable, the other doctors in the practice did not seem comfortable with young babies. The nurses were noticeably nervous to give her shots. They didn't have walk in hours or short notice sick visit openings. So we switched and are much happier with a pediatrician. But I agree about trying the family practice first! Good luck, I hope it works well for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500763 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 05:37:30 +0000 Cherrybee 2500763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The system here is very different. We have a family doctor (you would say FP, here its a GP) - we don't have much choice because most practices have "catchment areas" - then, if the GP feels the issue needs more specialist attention, he/she then refers the patient to a specialist (paediatrician, dermatologist etc) at the hospital. </p> <p>My experience is that it's 100% down to the individual professionals and not their titles or specific qualifications....</p> <p>Our old GP was terrible. He was very elderly, stuck in his ways and thought he knew it all. He diagnosed E with asthma as a baby (Dr Google and Dr Google said that it was unusual to diagnose before 3). He went crazy when I asked for a second opinion - he shouted at me! :shocked: </p> <p>We were referred to a paediatrician who was clearly very knowledgeable and I felt we were in very safe hands, but his bedside manner wasn't very good. At the end of our appointment, he just got up and left - his swivel chair went whizzing across the room - without saying goodbye or "that's that's the end". We waited for a few minutes the went out and asked a nurse if we should go home! </p> <p>When we moved house, we switched to a new GP who we love. She is kind, approachable, knowledgeable and isn't afraid to admit when she's not sure and needs to refer on. I love that we all see the same doctor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500750 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 23:49:15 +0000 ALV91711 2500750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS had a ped that I take him to all his well checks for. Sick visits usually end up at our family doctor since he is way easier to get into. I love my family doctor and I prefer for all 3 of us to see the same person. </p> <p>I'm going to talk to my family doc about when he will take on DS for his regular visits next time I'm there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500741 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 23:22:55 +0000 Charm54 2500741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my province you don't have a choice - family Dr unless there is a specific reason to see a ped, then you are referred</p> <p>I absolutely love our family doc, all 4 of us go to him. He knows our history and the minute I call to make an appointment they tell me to come right in. He even did a house call for us when my DD was quite sick on a weekend and he didn't want her waiting in the ER. I couldn't be happier.</p> <p>we get all our shots at public health so no advice there </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500732 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 22:40:48 +0000 hotpink 2500732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We talked to a highly recommended (by Midwife and friends) Family Practice MD when I was pregnant with #1. We loved her and decided to go with her since she only accepted new babies at patients. She has since taken on my whole family and it's amazing. We love her so much and she really knows all of us, her care feels so personal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500721 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 22:22:52 +0000 MsMini 2500721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a nurse and we use a family practice Doctor, I love that we can make a group/family appointments, the doctor REALLY knows all of our histories and medical concerns which has actually helped him with diagnosing issues with our kids. When we had a concern that required being followed by a paediatrician (our daughter has a VSD and we followed with a paediatrician until cardiology was comfortable with how it was resolving) we were referred to one and saw him instead, then when he was comfortable he released her care back to our family doctor. It is a great experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500717 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 22:09:44 +0000 rockinghorse 2500717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks guys! I think I will go ahead and set up with the FP MD, and just switch if needed. You have made me feel much more confident about it all!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500700 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 21:21:05 +0000 pastemoo 2500700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oh, yes, agreed with pps, the nursing staff does the shots.<br /> we have had a varied experience with them (ped vs FM practice) that doesn't correlate with which doctor we saw. The best shots my son got were from the health dept when we had just moved and were between doctors. So, I wouldn't decide based on the people who do immunization s. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500698 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 21:16:30 +0000 maddyz 2500698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love that we all see the same doctor. It's so easy! Also they see so many kids and babies I trust they know what they are doing. Shots have always been fine. They don't draw blood so we have to go to the lab for that. That's kind of a pain, but the lab is so good with lo I don't mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500692 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 20:52:55 +0000 jetsa 2500692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Actually we had better luck with shots at our FP. They always made sure to have multiple nurses to give the vaccine. We see a ped now that we dislike, and we are trying to switch back to a FP now. So I absolutely recommend a FP ours was great knew us when we walked in and when we called our ped is lucky to know who are kids are or the last time we saw them.</p> <p>I should state that we have restively healthy kids and we knew our FP would recommend a ped if anything was ever out of her hands </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500688 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 20:40:47 +0000 NavyRN2012 2500688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you met both? I think a good starting point is touring both offices and meeting the docs. With that said, you can't go wrong with either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500682 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 20:27:31 +0000 sapphire 2500682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm an FP so I'm biased but I think the most important thing is the relationship. It's also very nice to all have the same doctor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500643 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 19:06:12 +0000 Cole 2500643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The good news is that there is absolutely no reason you can't start with the FP Dr and then switch to a ped if you're not loving it. It sounds like you're really excited about the FP doctor so I think I would give it a try. Everyone I know who uses one for their kids loves them. And frankly, I love our pediatrician but it's the nurses who do the shots and aside from going super fast they don't really do anything special, there's a distinct chance that someone who does them less would be more sympathetic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500639 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 18:57:33 +0000 pastemoo 2500639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Family practice, hands down. Then when you need an appt and baby needs an appt, you can go back to back. They have a good network of specialists for referral and tend to have a great concept of what they know vs what is more complex and should be seen elsewhere.<br /> We switched my son from a pediatrician to a family medicine doctor in a practice that only sees kids... and I see a family doc who will see me and my husband and baby #2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500637 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 18:53:58 +0000 regberadaisy 2500637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ultimately decided on a pediatrician because I think they will just be more versed on all things baby and kid. Whereas a family practice is much more general. Going from kids to senior citizens. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pediatrician-versus-family-practice-md#post-2500631 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 18:37:28 +0000 rockinghorse 2500631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am having a hard time deciding between seeing a highly recommended Family Practice MD (my OB and a post-partum nurse at the hospital we are delivering) and a pediatrician for my babe due in May. I was all set on seeing the FP guy, and then the ladies I work with were telling me we should see a pediatrician because the office will be better at dealing with shots and whatnot. Will it really make a difference? Anybody have any input on this?</p> <p>Side note: The baby was going to be my husband and my in for starting to see the same FP MD. He is very popular and busy, but "loves babies" so would accept us. </p>