How to Choose a Pediatrician for Your Child
Wellness
min. lectura
Temas
Choosing a pediatrician is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. This doctor will play a vital role in your child’s health from infancy through adolescence. A pediatrician provides guidance on everything from growth milestones and vaccinations to managing illnesses and answering your parenting questions. To find the best pediatrician for your child, it’s essential to consider factors like experience, communication style and availability. In this guide, we’ll explore helpful tips on choosing a pediatrician who aligns with your family’s needs, ensuring you feel confident about your child’s health care from day 1.
What is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a doctor who has undergone special additional training to work with infants, children and adolescents. Pediatricians have the knowledge and experience about children’s physical, emotional and social development to provide your child with care that’s just right for his or her age and stage of life.
See trusted Texas Children’s Pediatrics pediatricians near you.
Pediatrician vs. family doctor: Which is right for your child?
Both family doctors and pediatricians are qualified to care for your child. The decision is largely a personal one, depending on the health needs of your family and location.
Pediatricians have more experience with children specifically, so they may be better suited to talking with kids at their level and have more experience with complex childhood conditions. On the other hand, a family doctor has more varied experience and, if you and your child are sick, you can see the same doctor. When your child ages out of pediatric care, they can continue seeing the same family doctor who cared for them during childhood.
What’s most important is finding someone you’re comfortable with and trust.
What do pediatricians do?
Pediatricians understand the importance of listening carefully to you and your child. They can help you with questions about your child’s development, pediatric health and parenting and can guide you in anticipating your child’s needs. A pediatrician is a doctor with specialized training to care for infants, babies, children and adolescents through every stage of growth and development.
Pediatricians are experts in childrens health, allowing them to address age-specific needs in areas like preventive care, developmental milestones and common childhood illnesses. Pediatricians can help:
- Address physical, emotional and social aspects unique to children’s health.
- From newborn care to adolescence, pediatricians provide support,to ensuring your child develops healthy.
- Offer guidance on issues like nutrition, immunizations, behavioral concerns and school readiness.
How to choose a pediatrician for a newborn
Choosing a pediatrician for your newborn is a crucial step in ensuring they receive the best possible health care from birth onward. Start by asking for referrals from family, friends or your Ob/Gyn and consider creating a list of qualities that matter most to you, such as experience, hospital affiliation and communication style.
Scheduling prenatal consultations with pediatricians can help you evaluate the doctor’s approach to newborn care, their views on topics like breastfeeding and vaccinations and their availability for urgent appointments. Look for a pediatrician who aligns with your values, offers clear communication and provides a comfortable environment, ensuring that your newborn receives exceptional care. The best pediatrician for you and your baby depends on your needs and what you value most about a doctor.
Do I need to choose a pediatrician before my baby is born?
The best time to find a pediatrician for your baby is before he or she is born. Because your baby will need to see a doctor frequently within the first weeks of life, it’s very helpful to choose the right pediatrician well in advance. Choosing a pediatrician before your baby’s birth ensures that you’ll know your pediatrician, understand his or her philosophies about health care and feel comfortable with the nurses and office staff. You’ll also be able to find your way to your pediatrician’s office easily. Choosing a pediatrician in advance will help you feel calm and confident about your newborn’s care when the time comes to visit your pediatrician.
How to choose a pediatrician and establish your baby as a patient before birth
- Begin looking for a pediatrician early. Begin looking for a pediatrician for your newborn in your third trimester to give yourself time to gather recommendations and evaluate options without feeling rushed.
- Ask for pediatrician referrals. Seek recommendations from your Ob/Gyn, friends, family or parenting groups to create a shortlist of trusted pediatricians.
- Research Pediatricians and their experience. Consider your pediatrician recommendations and options and what their background and experience is like or where they went to Medical School or did their residency.
- Schedule prenatal consultations. Set up prenatal appointments with your top pediatrician choices. Like an interview, this is an opportunity to ask questions about their approach to newborn care.
- Consider locations and other practicalities when choosing a pediatrician. Consider pediatrician factors such as office hours, proximity to your home or work, insurance compatibility and appointment availability. Some parents may prefer a pediatrician who is affiliated with a hospital close to home, too.
Ultimatley, when choosing a pediatrician select the doctor that makes you feel comfortable and supported so you can building a trusting relationship with your child’s doctor and feel supported your newborn’s care.
Always ensure your pediatric doctor and prenatal consultations are covered by your insurance. If you don’t carry insurance or the office doesn’t accept your plan, ask about what expenses you should expect. You may also want to confirm your co-payment, laboratory and other possible expenses with your insurance carrier before visiting a pediatrician or making a doctor’s appointment. Call your insurance carrier or use your carrier’s website to identify in-network providers for your plan. If you’re considering a Texas Children’s Pediatrics doctor, here’s a list of the insurance plans we accept.
What to expect at your first pediatrician appointment
At your first consultation, it’s important to determine whether you feel confident having the doctor care for your newborn baby. You may find it helpful to talk with the pediatrician about practical and philosophical concerns you may have about your baby’s care. Remember, you have a choice in choosing your child’s pediatrician, and you may find it helpful to visit more than one office or doctor. Below are considerations, topics and questions you may want to discuss to help you decide.
When selecting a new pediatrician for your newborn, consider the office staff and nurses, too. The pediatrician and staff should follow the “no question is stupid” philosophy and make you feel safe and welcomed. The pediatric office staff is who you’ll turn to for assistance the first time your baby develops a rash, gets a fever or takes a tumble, and you want to be confident that your questions about your newborn and concerns are handled with respect and professionalism.
Find the best pediatrician near you
To find a pediatrician near you, ask friends and family for recommendations and search for pediatricians and children’s hospitals located near you. You can also find online resources about caring for your newborn and choosing a pediatrician at Texas Children’s.
What to ask potential pediatricians when choosing a doctor for your newborn
Parents, especially new parents, often have many questions about how to choose a pediatrician and what to expect. When choosing a pediatrician for your child, be sure to ask questions about their philosophy of care so you can feel comfortable with them as your doctor for your newborn or child. Questions and topics to ask a new pediatrician include:
- Who will see my baby for his or her first checkup in the hospital?
- When/who do I call to let you know my baby has been born?
- When will my baby’s next exams take place?
- Can I switch to another pediatrician in the practice if needed?
- What is the typical schedule of visits?
- How many visits should I expect the first year (usually around 8) and what should I do if additional, unexpected care becomes necessary?
- What are your thoughts about circumcision?
- What is your opinion on breastfeeding and bottle feeding?
- Are you board certified?
After learning more about a pediatrician’s practice and philosophies, you’ll be more comfortable in deciding who you’d like to partner with in the care and health of your child. Share your concerns and what you look for in a pediatrician or doctor to ensure the pediatrician you choose understands you and can support you best throughout your child’s development.
Learn more about Texas Children’s Pediatrics
From your child’s first well-check to adolescent physicals, we partner with you to ensure your child is happy and healthy.
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