After a successful delivery, the top priority for any parent is keeping baby healthy. Use this checklist to find the perfect pediatrician for you and your baby.
Doctor Information
How long have you been a doctor, and how long have you been with this practice? Do you have a subspecialty or an area of interest? With which hospital(s) are you affiliated? What are your views on the following medical issues: circumcision, breastfeeding, immunizations, antibiotics and alternative medicine? What are your views on the following parenting issues: Attachment parenting, co-sleeping, single parenthood and daycare?
Accessibility
How long after my baby is born will you see them? If my baby needs treatment at birth, can you provide services at the hospital where I’m delivering? What if I need help after hours? Who covers for you when you’re not on call? Will I be able to get a same-day appointment if my child is sick? Do you have walk-in hours? Will you be the one who handles sick-baby visits, or will another doctor in the group or a nurse practitioner do so? Do you offer early, late, and weekend appointments? How will my phone calls be handled? Do you offer call-in hours or does your office accept calls at any time? Do you accept and answer questions by email?
Office Information
Do you accept my insurance? How does your practice handle payments, billing, laboratory charges, and insurance claims? What is the fee structure for care? What is the scope of