Finding a Pediatrician: How to Choose the Right Doctor for Your Child

Your baby's pediatrician will be one of the most important people in your parenting life. Over the next few years, you'll see them for dozens of well-child visits, call them at 2 AM when fever strikes, and rely on their guidance for everything from feeding concerns to behavioral questions.

Choosing the right pediatrician before your baby arrives gives you one less thing to worry about in those overwhelming first days. Here's how to find a doctor who's the right fit for your family. AAP

When to Start Your Search

Begin looking for a pediatrician during your second or third trimester—ideally around weeks 28-34 of pregnancy. AAP This gives you time to:

• Research options without the pressure of a due date
• Schedule "meet and greet" interviews
• Switch if your first choice isn't a good fit
• Ensure the practice is accepting new patients
• Add your baby to the practice before birth

Most hospitals will ask for your pediatrician's name when you arrive to deliver, and your baby will need their first check-up within a few days of birth. Having this sorted in advance is a gift to your future exhausted self.

Types of Providers Who Care for Children

Pediatricians are the most common choice for children's primary care. They complete four years of medical school plus three years of residency focused exclusively on infants, children, and adolescents. AAP

Family medicine physicians care for patients of all ages, including children. They complete a three-year residency covering adults, children, obstetrics, and other areas. Some families prefer having one doctor for everyone.

Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) are advanced practice nurses with specialized training in pediatrics. They often work alongside pediatricians in a practice.

Questions to consider:

• Do you want a provider who only sees children?
• Is it important to have the same doctor for your whole family?
• Does the practice have the expertise you need for any special concerns?

How to Find Pediatrician Options

Start with:

• Your insurance company's provider directory
• Recommendations from your OB or midwife
• Friends and family with young children
• Hospital where you plan to deliver
• Local parenting groups (online or in-person)

Practical considerations to narrow your list:

• Does the practice accept your insurance?
• Is the office location convenient (especially for sick visits)?
• What are the office hours? Do they offer weekend or evening appointments?
• How are after-hours calls handled?
• Is the practice accepting new patients?
• Which hospital does the practice use?

The Prenatal Interview AAP

Most pediatric practices offer free "meet and greet" appointments for expecting parents. These are opportunities to interview the doctor and see the office—take advantage of them.

What to observe:

• Is the office clean and child-friendly?
• How long did you wait for the appointment?
• Is the staff friendly and helpful?
• Did you feel rushed, or did the doctor take time with you?
• Would you feel comfortable calling with questions?

Questions to ask the pediatrician:

*About the practice:*

• What are your office hours? Do you offer same-day sick visits?
• How are after-hours emergencies handled? Is there a nurse line?
• Will I always see the same doctor, or rotate through the practice?
• How long is a typical wait for appointments?
• What hospital do you use if my child needs to be admitted?

*About the doctor:*

• How long have you been practicing?
• What's your approach to parenting and medical care?
• How do you feel about [vaccines/breastfeeding/screen time/etc.]?
• How do you handle it when parents and doctors disagree?
• What's the best way to reach you with questions between visits?

*About specific concerns:*

• I'm planning to breastfeed—what support do you offer?
• Do you have experience with [twins/preemies/any special circumstances]?
• What's your approach to common issues like sleep training or introducing solids?

What to Look for in a Pediatrician

Medical competence matters, but so does compatibility.

A great pediatrician:

• Listens carefully to your concerns
• Explains things in a way you understand
• Respects your parenting choices while offering evidence-based guidance
• Makes you feel supported, not judged
• Is accessible when you have questions
• Has a staff that's friendly and competent

Red flags:

• Dismisses your concerns or makes you feel stupid for asking
• Is impossible to reach when you need them
• Seems rushed and uninterested
• Is inflexible about issues that matter to you
• Makes you feel worse, not better, after appointments

Trust your gut. If something feels off during the interview, that feeling is unlikely to improve once you're sleep-deprived and stressed.

Important Topics to Align On

You don't need to agree on everything, but certain topics are worth discussing to ensure you're compatible:

Vaccines:
The AAP recommends following the CDC immunization schedule. AAP If this is important to you (as it should be), confirm the practice requires vaccinations for all patients. If you have concerns or want to modify the schedule, see how the doctor responds to that conversation.

Breastfeeding and feeding:
If you plan to breastfeed, ask about the practice's support. Do they have lactation consultants on staff? Are they supportive if you need to supplement or switch to formula?

Parenting philosophy:
Some parents want a doctor who prescribes solutions. Others want one who presents options and lets them decide. Neither is wrong—but make sure you're matched.

Communication style:
Do you want detailed explanations, or just the bottom line? Do you want a doctor who returns emails, or are phone calls fine? These preferences matter.

After Your Baby Arrives

Your baby's first pediatrician visit usually happens within a few days of hospital discharge—often 2-3 days for breastfed babies, or within the first week for formula-fed babies. AAP

At the first visit, expect:

• Weight check (babies typically lose weight after birth and regain it by 2 weeks)
• Feeding assessment
• Jaundice screening if not done at the hospital
• Physical examination
• Discussion of newborn care basics
• Scheduling of follow-up visits and first vaccinations

Well-child visit schedule in the first year:

• First few days after birth
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 12 months

These visits include growth monitoring, developmental screening, vaccinations, and the chance to ask questions. Use them—no question is too small.

When to Switch Pediatricians

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the relationship doesn't work. Valid reasons to switch include:

• You consistently feel dismissed or judged
• The practice is impossible to reach when you need them
• You've lost trust in their medical judgment
• Major disagreements on important issues
• Significant practical barriers (location, hours, wait times)

How to switch:

• Find a new practice and confirm they're accepting patients
• Request your child's medical records from the current practice
• Don't feel obligated to explain why you're leaving
• You don't need to "break up" in person—a simple records request is sufficient

What Other Parents Ask

Q: Should I choose a pediatrician close to home or close to work?
A: Home is usually better—you'll bring a sick child to appointments, and the closer the better when you have a feverish toddler. If you work from home or your commute is minimal, close to work could also work.

Q: Is a bigger practice better than a solo practitioner?
A: Both have pros and cons. Bigger practices often have more availability and built-in coverage. Solo practitioners may offer more consistency and personal connection. Choose based on what matters most to you.

Q: How important is the pediatrician's age or experience?
A: Newer doctors have the most up-to-date training; experienced doctors have seen more rare situations. Both can be excellent. Focus on whether they listen, communicate well, and align with your values.

Q: What if I don't click with the pediatrician my friends recommended?
A: That's okay—different families have different needs. Your friend's perfect doctor might not be perfect for you. Keep looking.

Q: Should I interview multiple pediatricians?
A: If time permits, interviewing 2-3 gives you comparison. But if you found someone great on the first try, you don't need to keep looking just to check a box.

The Bottom Line

Your pediatrician will be a key partner in your child's health for years to come. The right fit is someone who's medically competent, shares (or respects) your values, communicates in a way that works for you, and makes you feel supported rather than judged.

Take the time to find this person before your baby arrives. When you're up at midnight with a sick infant, you'll be grateful you did the work upfront.

If you're not sure what questions to ask or want help thinking through your options, Clara is here to help you prepare.