Tips for finding the right pediatrician
One of the hallmarks of new parenthood is that there are many decisions to be made. These decisions could be about things like what type of stroller or car seat will be best or whether you think that a daycare or a nanny will be better for you work circumstances. Of the many decisions to be made, you will likely be thinking about who you want to be your pediatrician. While you may not see your own primary care physician very often, your child’s pediatrician is someone you come in contact with frequently in the first few years of your child’s life. Most often, in the first year of your child’s life, you will see the pediatrician soon after coming home from the hospital, again at a month old, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and a year. It may even be more frequently if there are any weight or medical concerns that your doctor has about your child. For this reason, it is important to find a pediatrician that you like as you will be spending a LOT of time together.
Here are some things to think about when choosing a pediatrician:
If you are looking for someone while you are still pregnant, find out if the practice does a prenatal visit. Many practices, especially those in large cities, offer this service. This is a great opportunity to meet with a few different providers to get a feel for their style without the stress of having a newborn on hand when making this decision. If you are reading this while still pregnant, it warrants saying that most everything is more challenging after the baby’s arrival. In particular, thinking straight when you might be holding a screaming newborn can be difficult. This should be offered as a free visit, one that doesn’t require your insurance to be billed so you can visit a few different practices to get a feel for how they operate and what feels like a good fit for your new family.
Find out if the practice offers other services in the office. Many practices also have lactation services so that you can meet with a lactation consultant right there at your visit if you are having breastfeeding challenges. Many pediatrician’s offices also offer occasional workshops and informational courses such as child/infant CPR or seminars on topics like introducing solids or sleep (I do these!).
Find out how your practice communicates with patients. Do they use a messaging system to respond to patients? Many here in Chicago use MyChart which can be a good way to get quick answers. Some pediatricians will look at images you send them like if your child has a rash or some other irritation you are concerned about. How do they handle after hours calls? Some go directly to an answering service that is outside the practice itself. Others have a nurse practitioner or physician always available to answer calls. Some do charge for this after hours service though so this is important to know. One thing I remind parents about regularly is that you should never be afraid that your concern about your child will be met with judgement or shaming. Anyone who becomes a pediatrician or who works with children and new parents in any capacity should be aware that new parents have a LOT of questions and the early years especially can be fraught with a lot of anxiety. If you aren’t comfortable with how your pediatrician or the practice is communicating with you, don’t hesitate to find a new provider.
Think about whether a more non traditional/concierge practice might be a better fit for your family. As health insurance in the US becomes more and more cumbersome and limiting, many families are opting to go with a practice that offers more access to a provider at a monthly fee. Some of these practices also offer home visits, especially for newborns. In Chicago, 2 of these practices are Donahoe Pediatrics and Chicago Concierge Pediatrics.
Lastly, while this tip may be a bit hard to get a sense of from some doctors, it can be useful to find out if your pediatrician has children of their own. Although this isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, there is something to be said for your doctor having experience as a parent as well. This is clearly not a substitute for medical guidance whatsoever, but there are many pediatricians who will say “this is what I am telling you as a pediatrician and this is what I am telling you as a parent.” This can be helpful when making decisions that are less in the medical realm and more related to behavioral issues. Sadly, pediatricians don’t really receive much training in residency on the behavioral side of caring for children. If you are struggling with either a medical or a behavioral issue as a parent, sometimes your pediatrician being a parent themselves can foster an additional layer of empathy which is always appreciated.