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Choosing a pediatrician for your child is not as easy as it may seem. Not only do most parents have to figure out which doctors are on their insurance plan(s), but they are finding the person who will either make or guide them to make decisions in their child's life.

For example, they may tell you what vaccines the child should or shouldn't have, when to stop nursing, how to potty train your child, or what discipline system is the best. These are choices that differ from doctor to doctor, so your choice of pediatrician may determine how you handle various situations in your household.

We found a pediatrician who was recommended by others and also on our insurance plan. I even went in and met the staff during the last months of pregnancy. All seemed fine, and he was a well-liked man - but none of the people I knew had children with special needs.

Our daughter was born with hypotonia, which nobody picked up on until she was over a year old, had fallen off the growth chart completely and had missed several milestones. My doctor just kept telling me that each child develops differently, and that I needed to FEED her - as if I wasn't trying. The case was that her mouth muscles were too weak for her to eat.

After her one-year appointment, I promptly changed doctors. Our new pediatrician could see that her development was not typical, ordered several tests, enrolled her in Help Me Grow, and started her in several different therapies. We learned that her muscle problem was not because of a brain tumor, that she had some swallowing problems, and also has a chronic blood disorder. She has made leaps and bounds since this doctor has taken over, and I regret that we didn't start with him from day one. (He came recommended by a friend whom I met after my daughter was born.)

So your choice of a pediatrician may make a difference in the life of your child. Don't make it lightly.

Learn more about this author, Selina J.
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