Pediatrican question

PrincessDi80

So DH and I need to start looking for a pediatrician for LO (gulp, breathe).  Here is my dilemma.....we recently moved from NY to CT, but both still work in NY.  We live just 10 mins over the state line.  My OB is in NY and so is the hospital I will be delivering at, even though the CT hospital is 2 miles away from our new home I love my OB and am sticking with her.  So should we look for a pedi in NY or CT?  I am thinking NY since I am not sure if a CT pedi would be licensed to travel to NY to see LO in the hospital...but if I think ahead to when LO is sick and needs to see the pedi would I want someone in CT because they would be closer?  WWYD?

tiffanysbride

Look close to home. This winter I had to drive through an ice storm to get to the pedi b/c DS stuck a chocolate covered cran-raisin up his nose. Why, b/c he wanted to and when he tried to remove it pushed it further up. I only believed him b/c the chocolate started melting out! it took 20 minutes to drive 4 miles and had we waited it would have dissolved and possibly ended up in his lungs.

Would that be the hospital for emergencies for LO? It's nice to have all records chared so I don't have to retell or pick up things for the office. However, if you are in an emergency you probably would end up at Childrens or need a specialist vs pedi so privileges don't matter too much except with birth and they only check on them quickly and talk with the nurses about basic care.

ambs21

I would definitely stick with close to home.  Our pediatrician doesn't have privileges at the hospital where I'll give birth, so the on-call ped will see us in the hospital.  I love my OB and my ped, though, so I'm sticking with them even though they aren't at the same hospital.

kbel424

I agree with close to home. And I know the area you're talking about really well! It would be a huge pain to have to go down to Westchester for every single appointment. What are you doing for childcare? Close to home or close to work? That could be a factor too.

Mrs.Albie

You want close to home.  The number of regular appointments in the first year alone is motivation enough.  Your pedi might not be able to clear the baby at the hospital, but the on-call can and then you can set up an intial appointment with your pedi.  Definitely think about winter and the commute too.  Babies can get sick a lot in the first year, so you may find yourself going in to the doc frequently.  GL!

olivia_eve

You definitely want close to home. Visiting the baby in the hospital is a one-time thing, but going to the pedi happens a lot and you don't want a commute. I think we were at the pedi at least 4 times in the first two months alone- right after we got out of the hospital, at 2 weeks, one month and two months. And you don't want to take a long drive when your child isn't feeling well.

MommyandKate

I'd pick a pedi close to home- ours is walking distance from our house!