If you’re a first-time pregnant mom with a new bundle of joy on the way, there are about a million things that you’re working tirelessly to get ready for when your baby’s born. And while setting up the nursery and gathering the cutest clothes for their first year of life is important, you don’t want to overlook one of the first and most important decisions you will make for your young child’s life: finding a pediatrician. To assist you in making this choice, here are three tips for finding and right pediatrician for your new baby.
Know When To Start The Search
Although you might think it sounds weird to pick a pediatrician for your baby before he or she is even born, having a doctor in place for your baby before birth can make everything go much smoother for you. According to Parents.com, parents should start seriously looking for a pediatrician between 28 and 34 weeks pregnant. This will give you the time to do some research to help you make the best decision for you and your soon-to-be-arriving babe.
Research How Their Office Works
Once you’ve found a few names of pediatricians in your area that you’re considering, it’s now time to figure out who will actually be best for you and your new family. A big contributing factor to help determine if a pediatrician is going to be right for you and your new baby, according to Kara Mayer Robinson, is how their office works. You’re likely going to want to find a pediatrician who leaves same-day appointments available, is ready to take calls after hours, and has an easy office to get to. Also, if their office has additional treatment facilities available, like a lab, that can be a perk. And when you’re researching various offices, make sure you also check to see if there are any malpractice suits against anyone you’re considering.
Find Out Why Others Like Or Dislike Them
For many first-time parents, it’s helpful to get some advice or recommendations from other parents in your area about who they take their kids to see for medical purposes. However, along with getting potential referrals, Dr. Vincent Iannelli, a contributor to Very Well Family, suggests that you also ask your friends or neighbors what exactly they like or dislike about the pediatricians they’ve been. A reason for disliking one pediatrician for your friend might be a reason that you’d end up liking him or her, like spending a lot of time in each appointment or prescribing medications. By gaining this information, you’ll be able to get a better feel as to what type of physician you’ll be working with before your baby’s even seen for the first time.
If you’re looking for a pediatrician for your unborn baby, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find the right match for you and your little family.
