Preconception to Infancy

At Wholistic Pediatrics & Family Care, we take a comprehensive, proactive approach to supporting the health of families during preconception, pregnancy, and infancy. Our goal is to prevent chronic and debilitating medical conditions in newborns, young children, and even older patients. For families, especially those who have a child with chronic health conditions, the desire to ensure a healthy, thriving child is paramount. That’s why we offer a range of evidence-based strategies to optimize health outcomes for both mother and baby.

Our approach includes:

• Ideally look for and correct imbalances starting 6-12 months before pregnancy. But our approach can help at any point in the path to raising healthy babies.
• Supporting the body with essential nutrients: Proper vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids play a critical role in fostering a healthy pregnancy and a well-nourished infant.
• Reducing toxic exposures: We provide guidance on minimizing or avoiding environmental toxins, which can impact both maternal and fetal health.
• Screening for maternal thyroid issues: Hypothyroidism can affect both fertility and pregnancy outcomes, so we prioritize screening and treatment.
• Optimizing the microbiome: Unchecked bacterial or fungal infections can pose risks to both mother and baby. Having a strong and diverse amount of beneficial flora is paramount for optimal health. We help identify and treat these issues to promote a healthy pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding and infant nutrition: It is undeniable that breastfeeding is best for an infant. Often failure to have successful long term lactation is due to insufficient support for the mother. We also guide families on introducing solid foods carefully to support optimal digestive health.
• Thoughtful consideration of postnatal interventions: Every intervention, including vaccines, is evaluated with the individual needs of the child in mind, ensuring a personalized approach to their care.

Through these and other Wholistic practices, we empower families to take an active role in creating the best possible health outcomes for their children, starting even before birth.

From Preconception to Infancy: Environmental and Nutritional Strategies for Lowering the Risk of Autism (Original article by Dr. Berger in Autism Science Digest, April 2012)