Dr. Aileen Litwin

Last updated: 26 Jan, 2022

Hi Dr Litwin! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for the families in our community. We would love if you could start by telling us a little bit about you:

Policies/ Background

Q: How long have you been in practice?

I started working at Hitchcock Family Medicine (HFM) November 2021. I wanted to be part of a medical home that values TIME and the PATIENT-PHYSICIAN RELATIONSHIP without the hassle and intervention of insurance companies.

Q: Is this a solo or group practice? If it’s solo, who covers you when you’re gone? If it’s a group, how often will we see the other doctors in the practice?

HFM is a group practice. When I am on vacation/taking personal time, my patients are covered by our Family Medicine physician.

Q: Do you have any sub-specialties or specific areas of interest/expertise?

I am triple board certified in Pediatrics, Lifestyle Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. I also completed IABLE’s Comprehensive Clinical Breastfeeding Medicine Course.

Q: Do you evaluate for tongue/ lip ties? If so, do you do the revisions in office or to whom do you refer clients?

I evaluate for lip ties. I do not yet perform revisions. I refer to Dr. Wessels at Allied Pediatrics.

Q: What languages do you speak?

I speak English and Tagalog.

Q: What would you like to share about your family?

I am married with 3 sons (12 yo, 3 yo, and 6 months). We are a former Navy family who moved from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to be closer to our families (Dayton and Cookeville). We spent many happy times in Chattanooga during medical school and always planned to return and raise our family here.

Q: What is your parenting philosophy?

I follow my heart and do my best to learn and nurture my children’s temperaments. I believe in healthy, age- and developmentally-appropriate boundaries and positive parenting. Modeling the character traits of resilience, grit, and a growth mindset is my goal and my hope to help my family learn how to navigate the world.

Q: Where will you see me? Do you make house calls or offer virtual consultations?

My practice is located at 5618 Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411. I greet you at the door and stay with you from start to finish during visits.

Our lobby is never crowded and we chat in my office before we go into my exam room. I make house calls as medically needed but focus on newborn discharge visits. I offer telemedicine visits and would be available via email and text/call for urgent issues.

Philosophies/Education

Q: Will you discuss issues such as parenting strategies and my child’s emotional and social development?

Absolutely! I focus on the whole child and fostering healthy family dynamics is a large component of supporting everyone!

Q: Will your initial meeting with my baby be at the hospital or the first checkup?

I would love to meet you BEFORE your baby is born to see if we’re a good fit! I will see your baby at his/her first checkup after being discharged from the hospital/home birth care.

Q: Do you offer same-day sick appointments?

Acute appointments are typically same or next day, but many concerns can be addressed via telemedicine as well! Videos/pictures can be emailed to me and we can discuss your concerns.

Q: How are off-hour emergencies handled?

If we are not able to address concerns via telemedicine and/or an exam is needed, I will meet you at one of our locations to perform an assessment and recommend treatment as indicated. If the concern is something that requires emergency services, I advise my families to either call 911 for immediate assistance or if it is safe- to drive to the nearest children’s hospital for evaluation.

Q: Do you respond to questions by email? Do you accept calls for routine and non-emergency questions?

I love email! My patients send me pictures and videos all the time and it saves them time and resources since it keeps them out of the urgent care/ED. Calling my number is recommended for use for urgent concerns. Our nurses help us triage emails- our practice is very much a team effort!

Q: Do you have separate sick and well waiting rooms?

Since our appointments are 30-60 minutes long, there is usually no more than 1 other patient, if that, waiting in our lobby. Since we know our patients and work closely with them in scheduling appointments, we schedule sick visits around well visits during the day.

Q: What tests are handled in the office, and what is done elsewhere? Where?

We are able to collect most basic labs and tests in house. Anything we don’t have or are not able to do is sent to a local lab. We have partnerships with local lab and imaging facilities for discounts.

Q: What are your personal experiences with breastfeeding?

I have breastfed all 3 of my sons with longer durations with each subsequent baby. My first was breastfed for 6 months, my second for 15 months (I stopped because I was sent to Guantanamo Bay for 3 weeks and was not able to continue), and my current baby will likely breastfeed longer as much he loves breastfeeding currently!

Q: Do you have a staff with lactation credentials and/or an IBCLC that you refer women to?

I assist my mothers as much as I can during home and office visits. Our practice manager is a former L&D nurse with experience in breastfeeding support. I am currently setting up meet and greets with local lactation consultants to learn about community resources for my families.

Q: What breastfeeding resources or teaching materials will you provide me at our visit?

I use a mixture of AAP and IABLE resources as well as referring families to our local LLL community.

Q: Which growth chart do you use for children under the age of 2 - The CDC Or The WHO?

WHO

Q: When do you recommend solid foods be introduced?

6 months old

Q: What age do you recommend weaning from breastfeeding?

Whenever mother and baby decide to wean <3

Q: How do you feel about night nursing/waking?

I have night nursed all of my babies. I support my families in whatever their goals are with night nursing.

Q: Do you have access to resources to determine the safety of medication use for the breastfeeding mother?

Yes! I can look up medications directly but also use the LactMed app.

Q: What percentage of your patients are breastfed and are exclusively breastfed?

I would estimate my current panel to have 90% breastfeeding mothers.

Q: What is the best way to prepare for meeting my breastfeeding goals?

I encourage women to remember that our bodies were made to provide nourishment and protection for our babies. Starting with that mindset helps set families up for a breastfeeding journey that is able to adapt to the many challenges that sometimes arise.