Choosing a pediatrician...

jfb29 · September 2013

As I'm filling out the pre-admin paperwork for the hospital I'll be delivering at (which I was told I need to turn in at my appt on Thursday), I have no clue who will be our babies doc. My DH and my family practitioner doesn't see kids until they are 4 years old. He just said to go to the office a couple doors down from him but there are 5 docs there. How the heck to I pick one? For those of you who have a pediatrician, how did you choose?

TradeMama · September 2013

I chose based on recommendations. I had a ped that I hated-- always made me feel like I was blowing things out of proportion. So we then went with a ped recommended by a friend of my husband who is an ER doc. Loooove him.

ju0725 · September 2013

If you have any friends with babies ask them who they see. I am going to a family friend, so there is no guess work. Usually you can check with your health insurance and see who is top rated with them. Or google doctors in your area and get reviews from everyday people.

VineyardMel · September 2013

I asked a bunch of my friends and looked at their pedis. I went with one that is close to my house and my friend that recommended her is a lot like me. I went to a "meet the doctors" event and loved the practice. It was a really easy decision and I LOVE our pedi!

jfb29 · September 2013

Yeah, no friend with babies here. I don't have friends who are docs here either. I did google the docs at that office but reviews are really limited. I feel like I might have to blindly choose but I want one I'm comfortable with.

bunniekrissy · September 2013

I waited till the last minute and picked one who was highly recommended in the medical center that most of my docs are in. He was pretty good at first, but some differences in philosophy became apparent and I ended up switching to a different one a couple months later.

angelsnight · September 2013

I haven't used him yet, but when I chose mine I just went with the pediatrician that is in the same office as our PCP. It also helps that all of the PCPs in that office are trained to work with kids so if the actual ped isn't in, our LO can see anybody there.

I tried getting recs from friends but none were were close enough. So I just chose the one in our PCP office....as with all doctors, I figured I'll give him a try and if for whatever reason they don't work out, I find a new one.

ceh789 · September 2013

We're supposed to be choosing pediatricians already!? I'm feeling behind again...

TradeMama · September 2013

ceh789 said:
We're supposed to be choosing pediatricians already!? I'm feeling behind again...

They will ask who your ped is on your admission paperwork-- the ped will round at the hospital and give your baby 1st shots/etc. If you don't have one the hospital ped will do it, but most docs will want to see babies a few days later, at 2 weeks, and 4 weeks.

VineyardMel · September 2013

My OB's office also provided a list with different options. If you really like your OB, ask him/her for a recommendation.

ErinE683 · September 2013

ceh789 said:

We're supposed to be choosing pediatricians already!? I'm feeling behind again...

@ceh789, I wouldn't stress yet. I asked my Dr at my appt last week, and she said I don't need to worry about a pediatrician until after 20 weeks. Plenty of time! I'm not even thinking about it yet B-)

erind0213 · September 2013

I asked the OB for recommendations and from there I narrowed it down by the input of friends.

Lastly I met with them, and asked how they treat newborns, and do immunizations and it was important for me and DH to know their hospital affiliations.

lalaith50 · September 2013

my OB just told me at my appointment last week that we'd be discussing it at the next appointment (next month!) eek!

KariB509 · September 2013

I also don't have a whole lot of friends with babies. A coworker of DH's recommended her pediatrician. Anyone you work with have kids? Or trying looking online for reviews. I don't think it'd be weird to ask a doctor for an interview either if that would make you feel comfortable. Or ask your OB or GP if they have any recommendations. GL!

southerncharm24 · September 2013

My BFF works for a peds group... Which happens to be the same one my brother uses. So we have two referrals. All set.

jwls84 · September 2013

My OB provided me with a referral based on the location I wanted. This LO will see the same one as their big brother.

jrw526 · September 2013

We looked up reviews online and asked coworkers for recommendations. We also went to "meet the doctors" nights at several practices before we decided on our pedi. The practice is fantastic I like the entire staff.

If you don't like the pedi you pick, you can always switch down the road.

LaurenAsh23 · September 2013

recommendations from friends/family/co-workers... I haven't chosen mine yet. I have a few on my list, once my NT scan goes okay tomorrow I'll feel more confident in choosing a pediatrician.

talitha712 · September 2013

I asked for recommendations. The same practice kept coming up from all kinds of people, so we decided to go with a doctor from that practice. Found out during third tri with DD that my OB and DD's pedi are best friends, which also helped me feel good about our decision.

bumpuser381983 · September 2013

I am super lucky because my best friend since we were 4 is a pediatrician right where I live. She also worked in the neonatal icu at Stanford and I will be having twins, so she knows more about it than anyone! I Feel so blessed to have her.

AlphaMom82 · September 2013

We take DD to the same pedi group that treated me when I was a baby. But things to keep in mind are: 1) are you and pedi on the same page with vaccinations? 2) are you and pedi on the same page with BF or FF? 3) are you and pedi on same page with disciplinary-ish things like when to get rid of a bottle or pacifier?

Typically, if you do not agree with the practices views on those things, you won't love the practice. I know that those three things seem to be hot button issues for many of my friends IRL.

Best of luck!

thompson26 · September 2013

My ob gave me a list if recommendations I set up an "meet the dr" appt armed with questions to ask (found question suggestions on the Internet) liked the dr and practice so didn't do any more, but if I hadn't I would have "interviewed" another til I found one I did like.

JerseyBella · September 2013

You def don't have to pick on yet. Like Farmerboyswife said you can put undecided. Keep in mind that that pediatrician won't necessarily be at the hospital even if they have privileges at it. That is def a question to ask if it's important to you. If your a working mom one thing to consider is the proximity to daycare and your work. Make sure you and your pedi/ pedi practice see eye to eye on there practices. Make a list and interview pedi's. It won't be as hard to choose because chances are only a few will meet your criteria.

Mrs.N.H. · September 2013

I got a list from my OB, I researched online and got some recs from friends. I finally decided based on schedule. Our group opens until 7pm on weekdays and it's also open on Saturdays and Sundays for sick visits and a few regular appointments. They have a well room to keep sick kids separate from healthy ones. It is not the closest/most convenient location for us, but we love the practice. I did go to the open house and their views were on par with mine, plus they took extra time to show me the medical studies in reference to some questions I had.

ClaireBear90 · September 2013

To be perfectly honest, I chose based on location and insurance. It's a huge group practice about 5 minutes from where we live and they accept our weird "insurance." I did NOT like the first pediatrician we saw for the first two appointments . . . she was a bit condescending and very pushy about giving DD formula (less than 24 hours after her birth). DH and I both liked the next pediatrician we saw. He had respect for us as parents and was way more supportive of breastfeeding. Even though we don't see eye to eye on everything, I have huge respect for him because he has respect for us. We've seen one or two other doctors in the practice since then, but generally we ask for the pediatrician we really like and avoid the first one like the plague.