Berkeley Parents Network: Pediatricians who Support Alternative Choices

Berkeley Parents Network

Pediatricians who Support Alternative Choices

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Health & Medical > Pediatricians > Pediatricians who Support Alternative Choices

Topics:

Pediatrician open to no/few vaccines?
Pediatrician that is NOT hot on Vaccines
In search of a Pediatrician w/a holistic approach
Pediatrician for non-vaxed baby
Limited Immunizations & Alternative Medicine
Limited Immunizations & Open to Homeopathy
Non-mainstream San Francisco Pediatrician
Vegan/Vegetarian Children
Advice about Vaccinations & Immunizations

Pediatrician open to no/few vaccines?

March 2008

Can anyone recommend a pediatrician in the Alta Bates medical group that doesn't push vaccines? I'm having my first baby in June and would love to find a natural leaning doctor for our new baby. Lesly

Hi, we are ''up to date'' with our vaccines, so I can't say from first-hand experience that we would be totally supported if we had chosen not to. However, I can recommend our Ped's practice: Kiwi Pediatrics (Dr. Kittams, Dr. Winokur, Dr. Salzberg). They have been very willing to discuss my concerns about some of the new vaccines and have been willing to let me hold off on one of them. I also remember their names coming up in a similar post about 6 years ago when we were also looking for a ped. Though, that is second-hand information. anon

We go to Dr. Janet Pearlman. We've only seen her a couple of times now, but we were real straight forward about the fact that we do not vaccinate, and so far she has been supportive. Before that we were seeing Dr. Kittams and he had said that he would be supportive, but every time we went he was telling us why we should vaccinate. Some of his reasons were very far fetched, and it got old real fast. anon

My two sons age 5 & 3 are have had almost no vaccines. We see Dr. Janet Perlman at Bayside Medical at 510-452-5231 in Berkeley near whole foods. She also has an office in Oakland. She is wonderful and respectful. She has never made us feel irresponsible for refusing vaccines. She is also great about the use of antibiotics. My younger son has had frequent ear infections and she has never pushed us to use antibiotics but has instead kept a close watch on him. All of these infections have turned out to be viral and have gone away within days. She is very kind to our children and she seems to be up on the more recent studies regarding pediatrics. She has raised a few kids herself and I find her to be very real around issues of eating, sleep, potty training and behavoir. I think there are some other docs in the office who support the delay or refusal of vaccines. Herbal Momma

You may want to check out Pediatric Alternatives in Mill Valley. We absolutely love the practice and find the drive well worth it. www.pediatricalternatives.com . They integrate the best of Eastern and Western medicine and are very supportive of a parents choice to not vaccinate or vaccinate selectively one at a time. fan of pediatric alternatives!

Pediatrician that is NOT hot on Vaccines

April 2007

As part of my research I would like to interview one or two Pediatricians that are NOT hot on Vaccines. Any recommendations? Annon

Dr Perlman on telegraph is very definitely ''not hot'' on vaccines. Definitely check her out, we've had many pediatricians (3 kids) and love her best. christine

I just want to say that Janet Perlman of Bayside Medical Group (in Oakland 510.452.5231) has a very pragmatic approach to vaccines and as a result most her patients (or their parents) choose what she calls a ''boutique'' approach to vaccines-- setting their own timeline, choosing which ones are important to them at which stages, if at all. She has helped me immensely in balancing my desire to protect my child with my concerns about overburdening his immune system with too many vaccines. I also know people under her care who have had no vaccines. In general she leaves the parenting up to the parents--and doesn't pass judgement or have a specific agenda about how that should happen. This means however, that you have to be willing to do your homework--bring in your questions and concerns and advocate for your child and your parenting choices. She won't tell you what to do--which I think can also be stressful for new parents--but ultimately it is a gift and a rare one. Corey

Pediatrician for non-vaxed baby

August 2004

My husband and I just moved to the East Bay (albany, to be exact) with a 2 1/2 month old baby and need to find a Dr. We are not vaccinating our child and would like a Dr. who will not give us a lot of problems for that. Thank you. Kelly

Primary Pediatric Medical Group

Other advice:

I have searched high and low and have left several pediatricians because they were disrespectful of my parenting decisions. I have found the doctor of my dreams! Not only is he not for vaccinations, he is a doctor of Chinese medicine, homeopathy and accupuncture. He has several books out on vaccinations and has a great web site www.cure-guide.com His name is Randall Neustadter. He is in Redwood City butit is worth the drive! His number is 650-299-9170. Feel free to email me offline for more info. Melissa

Limited Immunizations & Alternative Medicine

2001

We are looking for a new pediatrician for our seven months old son who was born at home and hasn't had any vaccinations yet. We would like a pediatrician who won't freak out by this, and, preferably, is also open to alternative medicine. Also, we would like the pediatrician's office to be reachable by public transport. (This is one reason why I don't want to see Dr. Gill who is recommended by the website.)

Recommendations received:

Christine Ciavarella

David Kittams & Robin Winokur (5)

Frank Lucido

Janet Perlman, Bayside Medical Group

Limited Immunizations & Open to Homeopathy

1999

We're looking for a pediatrician for our 16 month old. Previous postings that I've seen here didn't address our very specific wishes. We'd like someone who is fantastic with the child (and his lesbian parents...), and who is supportive or at least comfortable with various choices we're making, including limited and flexibly-timed immunizations, use of alternative medicine (such as homeopathy), family bed, and who doesn't keep us waiting in their office for more than 15-20 minutes (we waited 1.5 hours last week for our doctor!). Kind office and nursing staff are also important to us. Thanks in advance.

Recommendations received:

Mary Jones, Berkeley

Robin Winokur, Berkeley

Jeff Gill, Orinda

Vegan/Vegetarian Children

2001

I am looking for a pediatrician who is supportive/knowledgable about vegan/vegetarian toddlers. Any advice? Or recommendations? Thanks!

Recommendations received:

Jennifer Miller, UCSF Medical Center

Janet Perlman, Bayside Pediatrics

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