Great AP/Breastfeeding-Friendly Pediatrician in Orlando!

June 17, 2007 by Jan Zeiger

This review was submitted by a guest author who found us on the Mothering Magazine discussion forum.

I would like to wholeheartedly recommend Dr.Carr and all of the peds/NP at Peds Plus in Orlando.

They are very breastfeeding friendly, NEVER had any pressure to supplement and/or wean. Dr. Carr said the latest you should wean is kindergarten- which is pretty supportive of EBF for a ped I think! He always encourages me and congratulates me for breastfeeding and says that it is the best choice! He told me not to start solids until at least 6 months. No one has ever tried to retract my intact son… no comments about it either, treated as normal (which it is!!!) Never asked us to give vitamin drops, and there isn’t a lot of formula propaganda in the office.

I do vaccinate, but they allow you to delay or refuse vax if you sign informed consents regarding that. I know some people’s peds have fired them for that- so I figured it is a good point.

As far as “regular” ped things go- they always work you in same day if you have a sick baby- and they have Saturday hours as well. They have a sick and well side, as well as a “Nursing room” where you can keep your tiny infant away from all of the germy kids. I BF in the main office but the nursing room is nice, with recliners and water and magazines. They refer people to lactation consultants there as well.

Jessica, proud momma to Robbie, is a social worker in the Orlando area.

Posted in Pediatricians | 18 Comments

18 Responses to “Great AP/Breastfeeding-Friendly Pediatrician in Orlando!”

on June 17, 2007 at 4:05 pm Ivy

This is a wonderful thing!!! So happy to hear all about Dr.Carr!!! I will spread the word at the Health Dept. and at the Central Florida Breastfeeding and Parenting center in Lake Mary!! Thanks!
on June 17, 2007 at 9:43 pm Jan

I’m hoping others will comment. I’ve heard a few not-so-AP things about the office, but can’t remember the specifics now. I’m glad someone has had a great experience there!
on June 18, 2007 at 9:04 am Lisa

We all know how difficult it is to find a pediatrician that truly supports AP and a more natural approach to health. I just forwarded the link to a friend expecting next month. She lives in Orlando and is still looking for a pediatrician. We love Dr Cannizzaro in Longwood, but he is too far away for her.
on June 18, 2007 at 10:02 am Jan

We use Dr. Cannizzaro but have been frustrated by the fact that our kids (though rarely sick) can’t see him for sick visits. I had to really argue with them when my daughter was sick in April to get in to see him. I’m happy with him–but not his office staff–not to mention all the formula propaganda all over the place. We’re talking about switching to a family doc who practices integrative medicine in Lake Mary since he’s closer anyway.
on June 18, 2007 at 5:13 pm Jes

I have never had a bad experience there yet-and my son is 9 months! People I know at LLL have had their peds tell them to supplement, wean or add solids at 4 months- its really nice to not have that pressure w/ Dr.Carr and peds plus. I have never had to wait for a sick visit either- they get me the same day! Although he might not be totally AP( I know he is pro-vax personally as are many doctors) I think that their office is open to more parenting techniques than some.
on June 18, 2007 at 8:23 pm Lisa

Jan,
That is the same complaint my sister has with Dr C’s office.
The receptionist told me just to call at 8am (when they open) to see if he has open appts that day and he will see sicks kids if he has appts. But I definitely agree with you about his staff.
on June 18, 2007 at 11:53 pm Jan

Yeah, it was weird.. Loralei was very ill and I didn’t want to go to the PCU. I went straight to HIS side of the office. They looked at me like I was funny for coming in with a sick child and tried to send me over there. I explained that I HAD kept up with my well visits and that I WOULD be seeing Dr. Cannizaro. Geez..

The whole reason I drive down there is because I want to see a particular doctor (Dr. C). If I can’t see him when my kids are sick, it’s not worth the drive. Luckily, that was Loralei’s first illness since birth (she’s 2).
on October 12, 2007 at 3:37 pm Jackie

We were a part of this practice briefly when we first moved here. We selectively and delay vax our kids, and Dr. Carr himself was not so kind about that. He said he wouldn’t kick us out of the practice but we had to sign a waver.

In the months that we were with the practice, we had several illness issues and I had to bring my 2 girls in. I was NEVER able to see Dr. Carr, it was always someone else. Dr. Nahar threatened and try to scare me into vaxing, as if I hadn’t thought long and hard about our choices. The nurse practitioner saw a skin issue with my daughter 3 times without offering a solution, and she also didn’t give me any information on what she saw. The one doc I saw who I did like was an older gentleman, he had a wonderful manner with the kids, but gave me terrible breastfeeding advice. When my daughter had roseola and was vomiting and deyhdrated, he told me to withhold breast milk and only give clear fluids. I checked and rechecked his recommendation 3 times. Breastmilk IS considered a clear fluid for breastfed babies, and is the best way to rehydrate. He told me to withhold it for 24 hours and give pedialyte instead to my 9 month old.

I really gave this practice a good try, but that was the last straw. I transferred my children to the Franz Center. I’ve never been asked to sign a waiver for my vaxing choices and Dr. Martinez correctly identified my daughter’s skin condition as a milk allergy on the first visit.
on November 20, 2007 at 1:13 am Jenny Wadley

We loved Dr. Carr for the almost four years we had our son with Peds Plus. However, when we investigated vaccines further and decided to delay or not vax our daughter, we definitely met with a chilly reception there. If we had not found a better alternative in Dr. Cannizzaro, we would probably still be with that practice, because I honestly thought that was the best I was going to get. Yes, the breastfeeding and intact support is awesome, but I was disappointed by Dr. Carr’s resistance to holistic options. That said, he has a wonderful way with children and parents and does believe whole-heartedly in what he is doing.
on January 9, 2008 at 9:21 pm Bobbi

My family sees Dr. Franz and we are definitely very happy with her. I love the nurses and the PA’s, esp. Laura! I was given great advice with my son when he was a newborn. We decided to not vaccinate and the staff never made us feel bad or try to intimidate us into it. I still recommend her office to all my friends.

P.S does anyone know of any mother support groups for those of us trying to raise ‘green’, non-vaccinated, holistic children??

Thank you,
bobbi
on January 9, 2008 at 9:30 pm Jan Zeiger

Bobbi, I just sent you an invite to Orlando Peaceful Parents!
on February 13, 2008 at 4:55 pm Jillian

Hey just so you are aware, Dr. Carr’s office website has a new address: http://www.pedsplus.org
on March 5, 2008 at 5:28 pm Beth

Bobbi, The Holistic Mom’s Network (http://www.holisticmoms.org/), which is not just for moms, has just started an Orlando chapter. They had an open house last night by UCF and it was great.
on March 19, 2008 at 10:58 am Shannon

Does anyone know of Dr. Franz’ phone number? I’m thinking of switching to her. My Ped. is NOT non-vax friendly and I’m tired of dealing with that and how they look at me when I bf my 15mo old dd. Thanks!!!
on April 20, 2008 at 3:30 pm Sara

Hi, I’m looking for an Orlando based pediatrician who is willing to work with alternate vaccine schedule. Unfortunately, Dr. Franz is not covered under my insurance. I can’t find any other ones. Anyone know of any? Thanks so much for your help.
on July 23, 2008 at 10:41 pm Tara

What Beth said Bobbi, come out and join us, http://www.holisticmoms.org!
on November 5, 2008 at 8:33 am Christy

I am glad to hear Dr. Carr’s office is breastfeeding friendly, however, I would not praise not having to give vitamin drops. The American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending starting at least vitamin D in strictly breastfed babies between 2 and 4 months to prevent rickets or its complications. It is a detriment not to.
on November 5, 2008 at 11:56 am debby Kearney Brown IBCLC

Vitamin D stores for the first six months post birth are highly influenced by prenatal care. Mothers who are concerned need to watch vitamin D during pregnancy and enjoy some sun. Being in practice over 20 years, I have not heard of the rickets epidemic that supposedly happened when the majority of the babies in Florida are breastfeeding from birth and not receiving supplements prior to this latest AAP decision. AAP had similar recommendations concerning iron a few years back.
Supplementing with vitamins means other issues with breastfed babies.