Dr. Anthony Dominic Dipaola, MD

The Best doctor I've ever seen!

I have taken my 1 year old daughter to RTC Pediatrics since she was born. She was seen by Dr. Dipaola at her 9 month and 12 month appointments. Both times, her measurements were taken and then we were asked to wait in a room for the doctor. In both cases, we waited 90 minutes for Dr. Dipaola to finally get to us. Seeing as how we make these appointments 3 months in advance, it is a bit absurd to have to wait 90 minutes to be seen. However, this is only a small part of why I am disappointed by this doctor. I am still breastfeeding (almost exclusively) and Dr. Dipaola was critical of the fact that I still nurse my daughter during the night. I believe babies her age still need comfort and emotional support when they wake up during the night. I don't think she needs to be forced into independence and doesn't need to "sleep through the night" by crying it out. I'm not nursing her at night for nutrition, but comfort. I don't think Dr. DiPaola agrees with this decision and instead told me… that my daughter is a "chunk." Yes, she's in the 95% for weight, but she is also in the 85% for height. She also has been walking independently for over a month now and has hit all of her milestones. She has only been sick once (after flying on an airplane) and has no health problems. Rather than focusing on these positive things, I was criticized for allowing her to nurse so much and for not making her sleep in her own room. I was told that I needed to make a decision about her sleeping habits. That seems crazy to me because I have spent many hours researching benefits of cosleeping and my decision was well-informed. It just wasn't the same decision that Dr. DiPaola would make, so I guess he thought I hadn't made the right choice. I understand that what works for my household will not work for other households, but I just wish I had a pediatrician who was more supportive of the choices I am making as a parent. I was not given any reasons as to the risks and dangers of extended breastfeeding or cosleeping, but was just told that my baby is a chunk and she should be sleeping alone.