HOW TO FIND A PEDIATRICIAN FOR YOUR BABY

A good place to start looking for a pediatrician is by asking your obstetrician for referrals. He or she will know local pediatricians who are competent and respected within the medical community. Other parents also can recommend pediatricians who have successfully treated their children. 

Here are a few suggestion to get you started.

HOW SOON AFTER BIRTH WILL THE PEDIATRICIAN SEE YOUR BABY?

Most hospitals ask for the name of your pediatrician when you're admitted to deliver your baby. The delivery nurse will then call that pediatrician or his associate on call as soon as your baby is born. If you had any complications during either pregnancy or delivery, your baby should be examined at birth. Otherwise the examination can take place anytime during the first 24-hours of life. Ask the pediatrician if you can be present during the initial examination. This will give you an opportunity to learn more about your baby and gets answer to any question you may have.

WHEN WILL YOUR BABY'S NEXT EXAM TO TAKE PLACE?

Pediatricians routinely examine newborns and talk with parents before the parents are discharged from the hospital. This lets the doctor identify any problems that may have arisen and also gives you a chance to ask questions that have occurred to you during your hospital stay, before you take baby home. Your pediatrician will also let you know when to schedule the first office visit for your baby, and how he or she may be reached if a medical problem develops before then.

WHAT HOSPITAL DOES THE DOCTOR PREFER TO USE?

Ask the pediatrician where to go if your baby becomes seriously ill or injured. If the hospital is a teaching hospital with interns and residents, find out who would actually care for your infant if he was admitted.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY?

Find out if the pediatrician takes her own emergency call at night. If not, how are such calls handled? Also ask if the pediatrician sees patient in the office after regular hours or if you must instead take your baby to emergency room When possible, it's often easier and more efficient to see the doctor in her office, because hospital frequently require length paperwork and extended waits before your child receives attention. On the other hand, serious medical problems are usually better handled at the hospital, where staff and medical equipment are always available.

HOW OFTEN WILL THE PEDIATRICIAN SEE YOUR BABY FOR CHECKUPS AND IMMUNIZATION?

The american Academy of Pediatrics recommended checkups by 1 month, and at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months, and annually after that. If the doctor routinely schedules examinations. If not, ask how much frequently than this, discuss the difference with her. 

WHAT ARE THE COST OF CARE?

Your pediatrician should have standard free structure for hospital and office visits as well as after-hours visits and home visits(if he makes them). Find out if he charges for routine visits include immunization. If not, ask how much they will cost. Also, if you are covered by a managed-care system, check whether the pediatrician is on the panel of physicians.

After this interview you must ask yourself if you are comfortable with pediatrician's philosophy, policies, and practice. You must feel that you can trust him and that your question will be answered and your concern handled compassionately.

Once your baby arrives, the most important "test" of the pediatrician you have selected is how he cares for your infant and responds to your concern. If you are unhappy with any aspect of treatment you and your baby are receiving, you should talk to pediatrician directly about the problem. If the response does not address your concerns properly, or the problem simply cannot be resolved, don't hesitate to change physicians.