Choosing Your Baby's Pediatrician

Choosing a doctor for your baby (usually a pediatrician) is as important as choosing your obstetrician or the hospital where you will give birth. It's best to choose and to visit him or her before your baby is born.Ask your family practitioner, friends, coworkers and family members for names of pediatricians they know and trust. Or contact your local medical society and ask for a reference. Plan to visit the pediatrician about 3 or 4 weeks before your due date. If the baby comes early, you will be prepared.

The first visit is important, and your partner should attend with you. This is the ideal time for the two of you to discuss any concerns or questions about the care of your baby. The pediatrician may offer helpful suggestions.

At the meeting, you can discuss the doctor's philosophy, learn his or her schedule and on-call policy, and clarify what you can expect of this physician. When your baby is born, the pediatrician will be notified so he or she can come to the hospital and check the baby. Selecting a pediatrician before the birth ensures that your baby will see the same doctor for follow-up visits at the hospital and at the doctor's office.

Analyzing Your Visit
Some issues can be resolved only by analyzing your feelings after your visit. Below are some things you and your partner might want to discuss after your visit to the pediatrician's office.
•    Are the doctor's philosophies and attitudes acceptable to us, such as use of antibiotics and other medications, child-rearing practices or related religious beliefs?
•    Did the doctor listen to us?
•    Did he seem genuinely interested in our concerns?
•    Do we feel comfortable with this person?
•    Is the office comfortable, clean and bright?
•    Did the office staff seem cordial, open and easy to talk to?
If you belong to an HMO, and there are a group of physicians in pediatrics, arrange a meeting with one physician. If you have a conflict or don't see eye to eye with this person on important matters, you may be able to choose another pediatrician. Ask your patient advocate for information and advice.