Dr. Jennifer Reich

These are like structural issues that are beyond the individual.

And so we have to acknowledge that too, that we are all operating in ways that are not exactly what we would design if we had the freedom for these conversations.

But having said that, I think there's still possibilities within that.

I know pediatricians who have been really successful in listening to parents' concerns

And rather than saying you're wrong, I can add information for you.

So just as a small example, one of the things that's become increasingly rejected is vitamin K injections for newborns.

And in case folks don't know, like vitamin K is typically your body makes it, you have access to it during newborns have access to it from their mothers, but sometimes there's a deficit and those deficits can often lead

to a really rare but significant injury where there's brain bleeds.

In the course of my research, I actually saw a baby die of vitamin K deficiency because it can cause brain bleeds, it can cause permanent disability and even death.

It's very rare, but when it happens, it's devastating.

And I've had health care providers tell me that when they talk to families and they say, like, I don't care if you put the hepatitis vaccine off for 30 days, but this one's really important in the first weeks of life.

And here's why.

And here's what I've seen in my practice.

And here's why I'm not worried.

And often that's persuasive.

But a pediatrician was telling me a story about a mother who came back and said, no, I'm concerned.

I saw this black box labeling.

I understand it has this particular complication.

Rather than telling that mother she's wrong, because she's not, those things exist, but they exist for a different setting and for different patients.

They exist for IV use.