Does anyone take their kids to a naturopath instead of a pediatrician?!
Question: Goodness yes! I work in a holistic clinic and we offer primary care for children and families along with peri-natal care. Also folks, there is a huge difference in the scope of practice between ND's who are medically trained and those who are not.
http://www.healthfreedom.net/index.php?o...
There are also extremely well-trained herbalists, acupuncturists and others who often work ALONGSIDE physicians rather than in place of them, as well as MD's who are more holistic-based. Do your homework before placing your trust in any practitioner (including an MD) and find out how extensively someone has been trained and what their basic health framework/philosophy is to see if it matches yours.
The other important questions are,
How serious are any conditions you may have? Life threatening?
Are there safe, effective, and natural treatments that you are aware of?
How much responsibility do you take for your own (and your family's) overall health? How willing are you to implement healthier life choices if necessary?
How important is it to you have natural care as much as possible? Are you concerned about the toxicity of many phamaceutical drugs?
What kind of healthcare do you want for your children?
Excellent resources
Naturally Healthy Babies and Children: A Commonsense Guide to Herbal Remedies, Nutrition, and Health
by Aviva Jill Romm
Child Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents
by Randall Neustaedter
An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants
by Mary Bove
Answers: Goodness yes! I work in a holistic clinic and we offer primary care for children and families along with peri-natal care. Also folks, there is a huge difference in the scope of practice between ND's who are medically trained and those who are not.
http://www.healthfreedom.net/index.php?o...
There are also extremely well-trained herbalists, acupuncturists and others who often work ALONGSIDE physicians rather than in place of them, as well as MD's who are more holistic-based. Do your homework before placing your trust in any practitioner (including an MD) and find out how extensively someone has been trained and what their basic health framework/philosophy is to see if it matches yours.
The other important questions are,
How serious are any conditions you may have? Life threatening?
Are there safe, effective, and natural treatments that you are aware of?
How much responsibility do you take for your own (and your family's) overall health? How willing are you to implement healthier life choices if necessary?
How important is it to you have natural care as much as possible? Are you concerned about the toxicity of many phamaceutical drugs?
What kind of healthcare do you want for your children?
Excellent resources
Naturally Healthy Babies and Children: A Commonsense Guide to Herbal Remedies, Nutrition, and Health
by Aviva Jill Romm
Child Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents
by Randall Neustaedter
An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants
by Mary Bove
I took my kids to see an ND first for treatment. Because until age tow their immune system is not formed and it is bad to inflict things on them that can harm their immune. I had a pediatrician, as well, so if their cold or whatever was no helped by the ND in 3 days, I took them to the reg doctor. Most times the ND did the trick. But don't risk your child's health on principle. Antibiotics were invented for a reason. Use your better judgment...High fever etc...see your pediatrician.
I have definitely explored this option - and I would love to hear more people's experience with this. There are naturopathic doctors who are MD's, as well - for those people who are knocking it. They just have additional training. I would love for more doctors to look at things holistically, as seldom do things happen in isolation. Interesting question.
To specifically answer you...my daughter is 4 months old and does not see a naturopathic dr...she has a pediatrician that was willing to go along with some of my unconventional thoughts towards general medicine...but I like the idea of a naturopath, I just haven't found a good one in the area here yet.
I don't have kids yet, but a friend of mine practices homeopathy and I see her for a few things. If we had a Dr around here who did both natural and western medicine, I would definitely go to that person and take my children there as well.
I'm in agreement that medications aren't always the best course of action. Sometimes, the use of certain vitamins or supplements or dietary changes is enough, and the natural practitioner often knows those things better. My understanding of homeopathy is not to completely avoid western/modern medicine, but to supplement it. Considering the current state of our medical system in the US, I think that is not only okay, but wise.
My sons pediatrican practices both conventional medicine and alternative medicine. I totally appreciate that. When my son was constipated he had me give him Flaxseed Oil instead of some suppository type medicine that would cause stomach cramping, etc. I consider myself very lucky to have found this pedicatrician.