Choosing the right pediatrician for your child is an important decisions as a parent.
We know if can be hard to find a doctor who is accepting new patients— but ideally you can still make sure that the pediatrician aligns with your values, and that you feel confident in their ability to care for your child.
There are several factors to consider, such as the amount of time they spend with patients, their patience in answering questions, their interaction with your child, and even practical details like the languages spoken by the staff, the size of the practice, and wait times.
In this article, we'll guide you through what to look for in a pediatrician and provide tips on how to find a doctor who not only meets your needs but also offers the peace of mind you deserve.
Think about what is important to you when choosing a healthcare professional:
How much time they spend with their patients
How patient they are in answering your questions
How they interact with the baby/child
What languages they and their staff speak
How big the practice is
How long the wait times are
How you and they feel about alternative medicine and natural remedies
Sometimes you will only find out once you’ve had an appointment with them, but some pediatricians do offer good insights into their approach on their website.
Special case: If you are not doing the U2 at the hospital (due to giving birth at home or at a birthing center birth or a an outpatient birth), you need to make sure that you find a doctor who will do the U2 at the practice (or at your house), since not all pediatricians offer this.
