Becoming a new parent is an exciting time for you and your family. As you prepare for the birth of your child, finding a pediatrician you trust is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your pediatrician will help guide you through this life transition and become a long-time partner in caring for your child’s physical, behavioral, and mental wellbeing, from birth through young adulthood.
Knowing the qualities and credentials to look for in a pediatrician is the first step in choosing a healthcare professional who is right for you and your child.
What is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a doctor who treats infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatric care starts at birth and usually lasts until your child turns 21.
To manage the physical, behavioral, and developmental health and wellbeing of your child, your pediatrician:
- Conducts regular well-child checkups
- Diagnoses and treats illnesses
- Administers recommended childhood vaccines
- Prescribes medications
- Tracks your child’s social development
- Provides care for injuries and other medical conditions
When to start looking for a pediatrician
Finding a pediatrician takes time, so you should begin your search during the second trimester of your pregnancy, three to five months before your due date. This will give you enough time to make an informed decision.
Ask for recommendations from friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors. Your primary care provider may also be able to refer you to a pediatrician.
In some cases, online reviews and ratings can be helpful, but make sure the reviewer is a parent whose child is a patient of the pediatrician. And remember that people who write online reviews may have opinions and belief that differ from yours.
As you begin to make a list, research the background and experience of each doctor, including the medical school they attended and where they completed postgraduate and residency training. (This information may be available on the clinic’s website.)
Look for a board-certified pediatrician
On average, it takes more than a decade to become a fully licensed pediatrician in the United States. After graduating from medical school, pediatricians must complete a residency before they can be licensed to practice medicine. For pediatrics, a residency is a three-year period of supervised hands-on training.
At the end of the residency, a pediatrician can become board-certified in the field of pediatrics by passing a comprehensive exam that covers all areas of health and illness related to infants, children, and young adults.
You can find board-certified pediatricians in your community who are accepting new patients by using the Find a Pediatrician tool hosted by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Find out if the doctors are in your network
Check with your insurance company to make sure the doctors on your list are in your network. Most health plan websites or portals have a “find a doctor” tool.
Find out if the pediatrician accepts your health insurance, if you will be charged a copay for each visit, and whether or not the clinic charges for missed appointments or has any other out-of-pocket costs.
This is a great time to make sure you understand the out-of-pocket costs of health insurance, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Choose a clinic with a convenient location and office hours that fit your schedule
Routine wellness visits can help keep kids can healthy, especially early in life. In fact, the well-child visit schedule developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 10 visits before your child turns two.
You’ll see your pediatrician frequently, so look for a practice located close to your home, work, or your child’s daycare. If you plan to use public transportation to get to your appointments, make sure the clinic is located on a bus line or near a station.
A convenient location is particularly important if your child has special needs or a chronic medical condition that requires additional appointments.
Also, make sure the practice’s office hours will work with your schedule, especially if you need to see the doctor in the early morning, during the evening, or on the weekend.
Questions to ask when looking for a pediatrician
After you assemble a list of potential pediatricians, contact each office and explain that you’re looking for a pediatrician. Many clinics give expectant parents a chance to visit the office and meet the staff. Some practices lead group classes for parents, while others offer one-on-one in-person or phone interviews. Check with your health plan to see if it covers the cost of prenatal classes or pediatric interviews.
Questions to ask a pediatrician during an interview include:
Will you come to the hospital after I deliver my baby? Some pediatricians prefer to do the first checkup at the hospital before you’re discharged.
Will my child always see you for appointments? If the pediatrician is part of a group practice, your child may see different doctors. If it’s a solo practice, find out who will see your child when your doctor is unavailable.
Will my child’s health information be kept in an electronic medical record? Verify that you will be able to view test results online.
Are you affiliated with a hospital in the area? Knowing the institution where your pediatrician has privileges is important in case your child ever needs to be admitted to a pediatric hospital. Check to make sure the hospital is in your plan’s network.
What is the clinic’s policy on responding to phone calls? Some clinics offer a 24-hour nurse line for after-hours care. It’s also important to find out who handles phone calls after hours or on holidays.
Do you offer same-day appointments? Sore throats, colds, ear infections, and other illnesses can come on suddenly, so be sure you know where to go for care.
Do you offer virtual visits? Telehealth is a safe, convenient way to meet with your pediatrician online. Find out if telehealth services are available and require you to download an app or other software. Get tips on preparing for a virtual visit.
How do you work with other providers? If your child has special needs or a chronic condition, your pediatrician may need to coordinate care with a clinical support team and specialists.
Choose a pediatrician who is a good fit for you
Choosing a pediatrician before your baby is born can help you feel confident about your care plan from the very beginning. A good pediatrician communicates in a way that makes it easy for you to understand what they are saying. You should feel comfortable asking questions. Pay attention to how the pediatrician and staff treat patients. Are they compassionate and patient? Do they listen?
You should feel confident that you can trust the pediatrician to care for your child for many years to come. In the end, you know what’s best for your family.
Keep your notes about pediatricians you didn’t select in case your insurance changes and you need to look for a new doctor.
Additional sources
American Academy of Pediatrics, How to Choose a Pediatrician
Nemours Children’s Health, Choosing a Pediatrician for Your New Baby