Choosing the Right Pediatrician
Taking Charge of Your Infant’s Health Care
It is important to choose a pediatrician that you feel confident can provide your infant with the best possible health care.
Choosing a pediatrician is one of the first decisions that will need to be made as a new parent. Ideally you should decide who will provide for your baby’s health care before he is born so that your pediatrician can be the one to examine your newborn in the hospital. If you have not chosen a pediatrician before your baby’s birth, one of the doctors on call will examine your infant, but ideally it is better to have one pediatrician provide continuous care to your newborn.
Ask Friends and Family
While you can do a lot of research by talking to doctors and visiting offices, the best judge of how good a pediatrician is will come from your family and friends who have young children. Ask several people who their own pediatricians are and what they like and dislike about them. Chances are you will start to hear some of the same names repeated. Those are the doctors that you should research further. Some doctors have wonderful credentials but a horrible bedside manner or disorganized office practices. Talking to people you trust can give you a good idea of what visiting that pediatrician will really be like long term.
Find Out Who Your Insurance Covers
Once you have narrowed down your list of pediatricians a bit you will want to see which ones are covered by your insurance. Most insurance companies will provide you a list of doctors in your area that are covered by your plan or have a website listing of pediatricians. Look for covered pediatricians that are close to your home and would be convenient in case of an emergency.
Visit the Pediatrician
Most pediatricians will allow you to meet with the doctor before your baby is born. Visit the office so you have a clear idea of how the pediatrician runs her practice. Find out the hours that the doctor’s office is open and if any after hours care is provided. After hours care is generally cheaper than a visit to the emergency room and has the added benefit of allowing your infant to be treated by someone who knows his medical history and that both you and your infant are familiar with.
Do Not Be Afraid to Make a Change
If, after you have chosen a pediatrician, you find something that you are uncomfortable with, try and work it out with the doctor. There are times when doctors are having a bad day and their bedside manner is not what it usually is. If you begin to notice a pattern that you do not like, do not be afraid to shop around for a new pediatrician. Your baby’s doctor is a large part of her life, especially in the early years, and it is so important that you are comfortable with the person providing for health care. Go back and consider some of the pediatricians who were on your short list when you were originally choosing your infant’s doctor. As a parent you are responsible for your child’s well being and it is important to trust your own instincts when it comes to your baby's care.
