Newborn pediatrician selection

Choosing a pediatrician is one of the most important decisions new parents make, as this doctor will be your child's primary healthcare provider from birth through age 18. The selection process should begin during the third trimester (around 28-32 weeks) to allow time for research, interviews, and office visits.

13 steps across 2 sections

1. Essential Questions to Ask During the Interview

  • What are your office hours? Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
  • How is after-hours care handled? Is there an on-call system or nurse advice line?
  • Do you offer telehealth/video visits?
  • What is the average wait time for appointments?
  • How far in advance do I need to book well-child visits vs. sick visits?
  • What is your approach to vaccination? Do you follow the CDC immunization schedule?
  • How do you feel about breastfeeding vs. formula feeding?
  • What is your stance on antibiotics for ear infections and common illnesses?
  • How do you approach newborn circumcision?
  • Will you examine my baby in the hospital after birth?

2. First-Year Visit Schedule

  • 3-5 days after birth (or within 48 hours of hospital discharge)
  • 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
  • Additional sick visits as needed

Common Mistakes

  • Starting the search too late
  • Choosing solely based on location
  • Not checking insurance coverage
  • Skipping the prenatal interview
  • Not asking about after-hours care

Pro Tips

  • Bring a written list of questions to the prenatal interview so you do not for...
  • Ask how the practice handles referrals to specialists — a well-connected pedi...
  • Check online reviews but weigh them carefully — one negative review among doz...
  • Consider proximity to your home AND your workplace, since you may need to pic...
  • If you have a strong preference on a specific topic (delayed vaccination sche...

Sources

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