Parenting Peace of Mind with Benjamin King, MD
We’re pleased to introduce our new Pediatric Medical Director in Oakland, Benjamin King MD. We brought Dr. King to Carbon Health to lead all of our pediatric operations, starting by making pediatric urgent care accessible and comprehensive, because getting the care your child needs should be the easiest part of being a parent.
I sat down with Dr. King to talk about his pediatric philosophy, his experience with Carbon Health, advice for parents of newborns to teens and every age in between.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a Berkeley native and after spending a decade on the east coast, I returned to the East Bay where I’ve been practicing for the last 16 years. I feel so lucky to witness and assist in the raising of healthy, independent children! From newborns to teens, fulfilling the diversity of family and patient needs is continually rewarding.
What is your pediatric philosophy?
I try to foster happy, healthy, and well-adjusted children via clear, accessible communication, and ongoing parent / child education. I want to encourage joyful and pragmatic parenting. While I have definite opinions, I am sure to remain approachable and open minded. I’m not afraid to say “I don’t know” when appropriate, and will follow that up with “Here’s how we are going to find out.”
What was the reason you became a pediatrician?
I’ve always enjoyed the spontaneity and candor of interactions with children, and fortunately that interest was only heightened in the course of my medical training. As a pediatrician, I get to provide longitudinal, family-based care and also be a specialist with a group of patients that are constantly evolving. Kids and families are a lot of fun, and I feel lucky to be able to care for them.
“As a pediatrician, I get to provide longitudinal, family-based care and also be a specialist with a group of patients that are constantly evolving.”
Do you have specific interests you’ve integrated into your pediatric practice?
Pediatric sleep, especially as applies to newborns. This is probably the number one issue in which I have found new parents to be underserved. After seeing the tremendous stress that can ensue I took it on to really work with parents on this issue in a calm, consistent and sensitive pre-emptive basis, based on normal child development, starting as early as possible.
Child temperament starting with newborns and moving into toddlerhood. Each child is literally wired quite differently, and this can be extended in many instances to boys vs girls. Understanding some of this can really help parents to cope and foresee issues longitudinally as their child grows and develops.
Sports medicine in children and adolescents. With such intensive demands for mono-sports participation these days, I’m a big proponent of diverse physicality in children and athletes, and individually tailored injury prevention.
Why should parents go to urgent care vs. the emergency room for their children?
It is very rare to truly need an emergency room. An urgent care facility can take care of the great majority of your concerns. Having access to high quality advice via telephone or virtual care can help you decide when it is not clear. Regardless, it’s critical that appropriate follow-up care is scheduled, ideally with your primary care physician.
What makes the Carbon Health experience unique?
The team at Carbon all strives to combine accessibility and good communication with high quality care. I want families to be able to access information either in-person or virtually, combined with great clinical care, clear understanding of the treatment plan, and appropriate followup care.
“I want families to be able to access information either in-person or virtually, combined with great clinical care, clear understanding of the treatment plan, and appropriate followup care.”
In your opinion, what are the biggest issues facing children’s health in 2020?
Health disparities based on racial and/or financial inequities.
Skyrocketing obesity rates based on ready availability of poor quality food and poor education around nutrition
Mental health issues based on adverse childhood experiences, the increased pressures of pathways to success, and increasing fragmentation and isolation fostered by technology.
What advice do you have to help parents find the best pediatric provider?
Take the trouble to do some prenatal visits. Look for someone with a communication style that suits you. Don’t go simply with reputation of office. It’s not a marriage, and a good provider knows they can’t be everything to everyone. You should continually assess how the relationship is working for you as your child grows and develops.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for parents?
Like everything in pediatrics, it really goes by the age of the child!
Prenatal parents: relax and enjoy this special time before everything changes. You know a lot more than you think you do.
Newborn parents: don’t get completely consumed by the newness, remember to take care of yourself. Embrace the evolving relationship with your partner. Share your child freely with your community, and look for help wherever you can find it.
Toddler parents: continue to maintain a small piece of your life apart from your work and child, it will sustain you. Take turns with your partner. Let your child take risks. Socially immerse your child. Limit the digital world as you would dessert: optional, firmly in your control, and only a small part of a healthy diet.
“Limit the digital world as you would dessert: optional, firmly in your control, and only a small part of a healthy diet.”
School age parents: continue to let your child take risks, socially and physically. Natural consequences are usually the best teacher. Establish a family culture in your household. Your child shouldn’t establish the culture. Give your child real responsibility as early as possible, even if it seems easier to do it all yourself.
Teenage parents: modeling the behaviors and interests you would like to see is more powerful than talking about it. Listen more than you talk. Provide clear limits, but allow wide variation within those limits. Make time to do the things your teen is interested in, soon they’ll be out of the house!
What activities do you enjoy when you’re not caring for patients?
I’ve always been physically active, and this trend has only increased in the last few years. I strive to balance out the sedentary office work with rigorous exercise. I’m currently a competitive masters rower, and I also enjoy sailing, kiteboarding, cycling, and general fitness. “Chasing after my three boys” for the last 15 years is probably an event unto itself! As creative outlets, I enjoy cooking and woodworking
