What To Expect From Your Pediatrician
Your pediatrician may care for your childs health from birth up to 18 years old. During this time, your child will have numerous wellness visits to check their physical and mental development.
The nature of appointments will vary as your child becomes older, but theyll have their first checkup within 5 days of delivery.
After the initial checkup, your doctor may schedule a 1-month appointment. Then theyll see your baby at least every 2 months up until theyre 6 months old.
After 6 months, youll see your pediatrician every 3 months until your baby is 18 months old, and then every 6 months until 30 months old.
After this, your pediatrician will schedule wellness checks on an annual basis.
During these visits, your doctor will:
- complete a physical examination
- talk about health and safety
- answer any questions you have
Every wellness visit includes anticipatory guidance. This is advice about whats to come developmentally for your child and how to help keep the child healthy and safe between visits.
How To Find A Good Pediatrician
Wondering how to find a good pediatrician for baby? First and foremost: Ask around. Good old-fashioned of word of mouth is probably the best way to find a great doctor. No matter what medical school a pediatrician graduated from, it really all boils down to patients reports. You cant go wrong by asking your friends and family for advice in this departmentyoull be sure to get an honest answer and a valued recommendation from someone.
Also try calling up your insurance company to get a list of doctors in your area that accept your plan. Once youve got a list of possible candidates, verify that your top choices are members of the American Academy of Pediatrics. That means theyll be up to date on the latest developments in child health.
Before you start making some phone calls and setting up consultations , check out our Interviewing a Pediatrician Checklist. Some things to consider: What are their hours? Is the waiting room kid-friendly? Do they have any sub-specialties? Do their views on bottlefeeing or vaccinations align with yours? A round of interviews will weed the bad ones from the good, and you should have yourself a good doctor in no time.
And dont stress too much about it! Its easy to get worked up about all the details and decision leading up to babys arrival, but keep in mind that nothing is irreversible. If it turns out later that the pediatrician you picked isnt quite working out, youll simply find a new one and move on.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Key Questions To Ask When Choosing A Pediatrician
A trusted doctor is an essential part of keeping your child healthy as they grow and develop. Choosing a pediatrician for your child is one of the first and most important decisions you make as a parent. But many new parents are not sure how to choose a physician or what questions to ask.
Finding a pediatrician isnt difficult, but starting as soon as possible checks a key item off your to do list in time to make an informed decision before babys arrival.
There are many considerations, including a pediatricians training and experience, as well as their offices location, hours and routines. Here are some helpful hints to find a quality doctor who is a good fit for you and your baby.
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Making The Decision: What Factors Should You Consider
Some parents simply have a gut feeling about the best pediatrician others weigh the pros and cons of each person. The following factors should also rank high on your list of priorities.
Does the doctor share your views? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for 6 months, then be given breast milk along with solids until at least his first year. Doctors vary on how much they press the issue likewise, there are opposing sides to the circumcision debate. If you have strong feelings either way, make sure your doctor agrees with your viewor at least respects it.
Does the doctor match your other criteria? Other factors may seem superficial but can still affect your rapport. For instance, some people prefer a young female pediatrician, but others want a grandfatherly type. Some parents will only select a doctor with parenting experience, since they appreciate the extra empathy and hands-on experience that comes from being a mom or dad. The most important thing: Do you and this doctor click?
Does the office run smoothly? From this initial prenatal visit, you can evaluate how the office works. In the waiting room, chat up other parents and ask what they like and dislike about the practice. Also check out the area: Are there books, toys, or a TV to distract children? Do the receptionists seem on top of internal and external communications?
Start Your Search Early
While expecting parents can spend hours researching the perfect crib, stroller and high chair, they often spend less time choosing their childs doctor. As with any decision, its best to start early. Most hospitals will ask for the name of your pediatrician when youre admitted to deliver your baby, so give yourself plenty of time, remembering that some babies arrive early.
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Family Medicine At Its All About The Patient
At Its All About The Patient in Mesa, family medicine is our priority. Dr. Wade is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. That makes him qualified to provide your newborn with pediatric care, along with serving as the family medicine provider for your entire family.
Find a pediatrician you can trust for you and your entire family. Schedule an appointment today and get started with Dr. Wade!
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What To Do When Your Baby Is Sick
Use a spray disinfectant on frequently touched objects, such as phones, doorknobs, remote controls, toilets and sink faucets. Boil your babys nipples, pacifiers and toys, or wash them in hot soapy water, per the manufacturers directions. You might want to do this daily during times when family members are sick.
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When Should I Choose My Babys Pediatrician
Choosing a pediatrician isnt something that should be left until the last minute. Ideally, you should have a pediatrician selected a few weeks before your due date.
We all know that there are no guarantees with due dates if you put off selecting a pediatrician and your baby decides to come early, youll be putting yourself in a stressful spot.
In order to have a pediatrician selected a few weeks before your due date, you should start doing your research earlier in your pregnancy. You want to have enough time to make a decision youre comfortable with, rather than being forced to choose at the last minute.
If youre unsure of where to begin looking for a pediatrician, seeking advice from neighbors, family members, your current primary care provider, or your OB/GYN can be a good place to start.
At South Shore Medical Center, you can find a list of pediatricians who are accepting new patients on our website.
What To Look For
Board Certification
Its a good idea to make sure the pediatrician you would like to meet is board-certified.
Board-certified pediatricians have completed not only medical school and residency programs in pediatrics, but they’ve also passed a rigorous exam given by the American Board of Pediatrics.
To remain board-certified, pediatricians must continue their education through classes and workshops, demonstrate quality patient care and maintain a valid medical license to demonstrate they are up-to-date on the most current medical practices, knowledge and skills for health care for children of all ages.
Location
Determine what is important to you from a practical perspective. For example, does the pediatricians office need to be convenient to your home, workplace, day care or other locations?
Payment and Insurance
Before scheduling to meet a pediatrician, check with his or her office staff to ensure the office accepts your current insurance. If you do not carry insurance or the office doesnt accept your plan, ask about what expenses you should expect. You may also want to confirm your co-payment, laboratory and other possible expenses with your insurance company.
Each Texas Childrens Pediatrics practice has a list of insurance plans it accepts, so its easy to see if a given practice takes your insurance.
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Give Yourself Enough Time
The closer you get to childbirth, the less time you have to find a pediatrician, and you dont want to rush this important decision. Feel free to start earlier, but by your third trimester, your search should be in full swing.
If you recently moved or are just looking for a new pediatrician for older children or teenagers, youll also want to take the time to ask them their preferences. For example, some kids are more comfortable with a doctor of their same gender, which you should take into account, according to Dr. Kowalczyk.
What Is A Pediatrician
A pediatrician, family medicine doctor or pediatric nurse practitioner can be your babys primary care provider. Here, we are focusing on pediatricians, who specialize in the care of babies, children and teens.
All medical doctors complete four years of medical school. To become specialized in pediatrics, they complete three additional years of training. Most pediatricians then become board-certified by passing a comprehensive test from the American Board of Pediatrics.
Many pediatricians work together in a group practice with other pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners, who are nurses with additional training in pediatric care. Other members of the healthcare team include nurses, laboratory technicians and administrative staff who handle scheduling and billing.
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How Does Their Practice Operate
Consider how the office operates to ensure it aligns with your needs.
Some questions may include:
- Does the office allow same-day or last-minute appointments?
- Are the office hours convenient for your schedule?
- Does the pediatrician offer evening and weekend hours?
- If its a group practice, will your baby see different doctors or the same pediatrician each time?
Is That Supposed To Be In My Babys Diaper
Newborn diapers can look different day to day stool frequency, color and consistency will change as your babys eating changes in those first few days. It will also depend on whether your newborn is drinking breast milk or formula, but once a baby is feeding regularly, they should be gifting you with around eight to ten wet diapers a day.
Ask your pediatrician about the frequency, color and consistency of your newborns poops, especially if your baby doesnt seem to be producing many wet diapers. While there can be many acceptable shades, be sure to tell your pediatrician if you see stool that is red, black, or white, since these could signal a medical issue in rare cases.
Many families also notice that after a few weeks it seems as though the baby strains or has to push hard to poop. Sometimes, they even make grunting noises and turn red in the face. This is very common and normal. Your baby is teaching themselves how to poop. They need to learn what muscle to use and how to respond to the feeling of having to poop. As long as once the poop comes out is it soft and the usual color, all is well. If you have concerns about this, call your doctor.
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Will The Doctor Do The First Checkup At The Hospital
As you speak with different pediatricians, ask whether theyll complete your babys first checkup at the hospital.
Some pediatricians will visit your baby shortly after delivery, but only if theyre affiliated with the hospital youre in.
If not, your baby will have the first checkup from a hospital-affiliated doctor and then have another checkup at your pediatricians office about 5 days after delivery.
Pediatrician Or Family Physician: What’s The Difference
Most pediatricians and the nurses and physician assistants in their practices see children and teens up to age 21. Pediatric training focuses on treating children from birth until adulthood. Family physicians take care of patients of all ages, from kids to seniors.
Both have the same years of training, but pediatricians specialize in children. This give them in-depth understanding of children’s health needs, like behavioral issues and how to care for a child’s growing, developing body.
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Interviewing Pediatricians: What Should I Ask
Most pediatricians’ offices set aside times for expectant parents to visit. Call the office to set up an appointment. During your “meet and greet,” you can tour the office and talk with a doctor or nurse.
Some doctors offer group classes for expectant parents to learn about the practice and discuss newborn care. Others offer one-on-one interviews. Many insurance companies encourage these prenatal appointments or classes and will cover their cost. But check first with the doctor’s office and your health plan.
Here are some things to consider as you decide if the practice is right for your family. Make a list of your questions to help you organize your thoughts.
Tips For Choosing A Pediatrician When Expecting
Choosing the right pediatrician doesnt just help your baby, it also helps you. A pediatrician and his or her staff can provide you with valuable advice on caring for your newborn, from sleep tips to breastfeeding support.
Start looking for a pediatrician when you are in your second trimester of pregnancy. That gives you plenty of time to interview prospective pediatricians before your baby is born.
The most common, and often the best way, to find a pediatrician is to ask friends, family, neighbors and acquaintances for recommendations. Local parenting groups are also a good potential source.
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