Finding out that you’re going to have a new baby can be both an exciting and hectic time. From trying to eat all the correct foods and getting your prenatal vitamins to trying to paint a nursery, there’s a lot of things you have to think about before your baby is born. You’ll be going to doctor’s visits on a regular basis for yourself until you give birth, but have you a given a thought to who will provide your baby healthcare once he or she is born?
Parents want to provide the best for their child before and after their birth, but this can be an understandably chaotic arrangement. In this brief article, we’ll go over what you should be thinking about when trying to find the best pediatrician for your newborn. Some of these tips you may have heard of, while others might be brand new. Regardless, they will hopefully expand your horizon of thought and let you breathe a little easier as you transition into parenthood.
When Should You Start Looking?
It can be tempting for some parents to plan months in advance for everything, to almost a frantic fault. While it’s not bad to start planning for your child’s future in the womb, most experts recommend that you only need about 3 months before your child is due to make the correct decision. By asking family, friends, or coworkers about pediatricians they’ve interacted with, you may be able to get a personal recommendation for an amazing doctor to your newborn.
If you’re new to an area and don’t have anyone to ask, a good place to look is the search tools available from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or to search online for “best pediatricians in my area”. You can then verify whether the doctors that show up in these searches are compatible (or allowed) with the health insurance policy that you currently have. You should be able to find something that syncs up, and you’ll be on your way to some quality newborn medical care.
How Do You Choose?
When it comes to choosing a doctor for your child, there is no experience like meeting them in person. Whether you bring your child or not, it will be much better than trying to sift through the online reviews of varying quality. Besides, being able to go to a pediatrician’s office will also expose you to nurse practitioners or physicians assistants that also work there and may be interested in treating your child. It never hurts to meet as many professionals and get as many opinions as possible.
You may even find out that the best pediatrician in an office is not necessarily the one you set up an appointment with. Many times, doctors practice in groups and not as individuals, so if you don’t find a good fit with the pediatrician you’re meeting with, that doesn’t mean there isn’t one in that particular office.
Other Details to Consider
If you’ve set up a “meet and greet” with a prospective pediatrician, then you’ll want to ask some questions to figure out if they’ll be the best pediatrician for you. Specifically, you’ll want to know when and how you can contact them if something goes wrong with your child, what their educational background is, and whether they practice alone or as part of a group. Knowing these details will allow you to truly determine whether you want to choose this pediatrician to work with your child. You’re never under any obligation to choose a particular pediatrician, and if you simply don’t like someone, you don’t have to use their services.
Take a Deep Breath…You’ll Choose Eventually
Trying to choose the best pediatrician for your child can seem like a nightmare in many ways, but there is actually not much to lose. Most pediatricians care deeply for newborn children and will give you amazing care and consideration throughout your length of treatment. Pediatricians see children up to 21 years of age, so this may be the beginning of a lifelong relationship that your family grows to appreciate. Finding the best pediatrician takes work, but it is not such an impossible task after all. You will get through it and your child will thank you for it!
