Aarathi Rangachar, MD 4900 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92604

"Dr. Rangachar was my son’s first pediatrician. This was my first child. He was a big baby, and lost just slightly more than 10% of his weight in the hospital after birth, so the hospital quickly had me supplementing breastfeeding with formula. I had no problem with this except every time I gave him formula he would choke on fluids for the next hour or two in the hospital and it was terrifying to watch him turn blue and have to call in the nurses constantly. So I decided I would do everything in my power to pump extra milk and supplement with breastmilk instead of formula. The hospital told me how much I would need to pump and feed, and I did just that. I struggled, but I did it. My son was constantly nursing on top of pumping. 2-3 days after being released from the hospital, we had our appointment with Dr. Rangachar. I was nursing my baby in the waiting room and was called into see the doctor. I remember noticing that everything she said just sounded like she was regurgitating from a text book. I didn’t sense a lot of actual experience behind her words. And then Dr. Rangachar started telling me my baby was hungry and that I needed to nurse him, so I did. She started suggesting formula to me, so I told her what had happened with the formula and that I was pumping to supplement, as the hospital told me to. She then told me that I needed to be pumping more to supplement and explained how much to increase the milk each day. I knew that would be hard, but I was going to try. She seemed frustrated that I didn’t want to go the formula route and acted as though I was trying to starve my baby, which I would NEVER do. I would do whatever it took to make sure he was fed and healthy, even if that meant formula. But, she started threatening me, saying that at some point, they are going to have to “intervene”. What?? As a first time mom who cares about nothing other than the health of her baby, I was being threatened to have child protective services called on me? I started crying and didn’t understand how I could be doing anything wrong when I was just doing what I was told he needed. Dr. Rangachar then told me not to cry and that we would figure this out. I left that office knowing that I would never go back again. I found another pediatrician who advertised how breastfeeding friendly she was (Dr. English) and when I saw her, she told me my baby was very plump and healthy and I was doing a great job. She also said it’s normal for big babies to lose a little more weight after birth. I felt so relieved. My child is now about to turn 5 yrs old, and is very happy and healthy, but to this day I still think about what Dr. Rangachar did to me and how I would love to warn other parents about her because I think it is dangerous to bring your children to someone who would so casually threaten the way that she did."

"The most friendly and caring. She is a very knowledgeable doctor who makes life looks so much easier.. me and my boys (6 years old and two weeks old ) love her and the amazing nurse"

"Very patient and caring doctor we have ever got for our 6 year old. Have been seeing the Dr. Since 2 years. Would recommend her definitely."

"She is really respectful, caring, easily approachable. One of the best doctors I could say. She gives lots of attention to patient, details. Definitely supported by courteous staff."

"Fantastic Dr. Very knowledgeable. Helped our daughter so many ways. Would recommend to friend ."