Choosing a Doctor for Your Baby

Choosing the right doctor for your baby is an important decision: in the first year, you'll be visiting the doctor's office six times for routine well-baby visits alone. The choice can be overwhelming, but with a little homework and legwork, you should be able to find one you like and trust. Here are some tips to help you get started.

When to begin your search.

While some parents know which doctor or practice they want for their baby before they even conceive, many start the search during pregnancy and arrive at a decision when they're seven or eight months along. Making a decision before you have your baby allows for an informed, well-considered choice. A good rule of thumb is to start compiling a list of candidates about four months before your due date.

The difference between a pediatrician and a family practitioner.

Many parents take their baby to a pediatrician - a doctor who specializes in the care of infants, children and adolescents. Focusing on children's health and practicing with kids each day gives pediatricians a leg up when it comes to knowledge of and expertise on children's medical issues.Other parents prefer a family practitioner, a doctor specializing in family medicine who can treat the whole family, from birth to old age. One advantage these parents point to is that the family practitioner should be well versed in health issues that pertain to your entire family (genetic diseases, for example).Either type of doctor is fine, as long as you feel comfortable and confident about your child's care.

Where to get names of doctors to consider.

For starters, you can ask your obstetrician or midwife for recommendations. Hospitals, insurance companies, and medical schools also provide referrals to doctors.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers referrals to certified practitioners on its website. Certification by the AAP means that the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school, completed an accredited residency program, and passed the board exam in pediatrics. If you search by zip code, note that the results are limited to exactly that zip code (there is no “within 20 miles” feature).  Searching by city yields more comprehensive results (still limited to that specific city).And be sure to ask your network of friends, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers with kids who share your beliefs about parenting and general outlook on life.

What to do after you have a list of promising prospects.

Before going a step further, make sure the doctors you're considering are taking new patients and will accept your health insurance. And although this might seem unnecessarily cautious, it's wise to check with the Oregon State Medical Board to find out whether any doctor you're interested in has been disciplined for wrongdoing.Next, look over your list and note which doctors have convenient locations in relation to your home, work and children’s school.  Imagine driving across town in rush hour traffic with a sick and miserable child – even the best doctor in the area might lose his luster if his office is difficult to get to. And take into consideration which doctors have office hours that work with your schedule.The next step is visiting your top prospects at their office. An in-person meeting, as opposed to a telephone interview, will show you whether this doctor has the warmth, sensitivity, and professionalism you're seeking.Most offices will accommodate your request for a face-to-face interview with the doctor, although some practices charge for it. If this is the case, contact your insurance provider ahead of time – some will cover the cost if it’s billed as an office visit.

Interviewing a doctor.

If you find the prospect of “interviewing” a doctor intimidating, remember that you'll be hiring this person as a professional to provide care for your baby. Arrive with specific questions about the topics that are most important to you.

Here are some possibilities

(and check out our printable checklist, too!):

• Does the doctor take my insurance?
• Is this a solo or group practice?
  • If solo, who covers when the doctor isn't available?
  • If group, how often will we see other doctors in the practice?
• How many years has the doctor been in practice?
• Does the doctor have any subspecialties?
• What are the office hours?
• What evening or weekend hours are available?
• Are calls for routine/non-emergency questions encouraged?
• How will we reach the doctor if my child gets sick after hours?
• When the doctor's not on call, who covers?
• Which hospitals is the doctor affiliated with?
• Does the doctor see newborns at the hospital or at the first office visit?
• Does the office respond to email?
• Does the practice have a website?
  • If yes, what's the URL?
• How does the office handle payments, billing, laboratory charges, and insurance claims?

About the doctor

• What does the doctor like best about his/her job?
• Does the doctor have children?
• Will the doctor be available to discuss behavioral developments?
• What the doctor’s views on:
  • Breastfeeding/bottle-feeding
  • Circumcision
  • Antibiotics
  • Getting babies to sleep
  • Alternative medicine
  • Immunizations
  • Parenting methods
  • Childhood obesity
• What parenting books or other resources does the doctor recommend on baby or child care?

Questions to ask yourself

• Was everything clean?
• Is the waiting room pleasant and kid-friendly?
• Were there toys and books to keep kids occupied?
• Were the staff and nurses helpful and patient?
• Was parking readily available?
• How long did you have to wait?
• Did your child respond well to the doctor?
• Did your child respond well to the nurses?
• Did the doctor seem to welcome questions?
• Did the doctor know the latest medical advances?
• Did you like the doctor's communication style?
• Did you feel comfortable with the doctor?

What to do if you’re not entirely happy with the doctor you choose.

Talk with the doctor about your concerns. If your worries aren’t addressed or the problem can't be resolved, don't hesitate to find a new doctor. It’s important to have a doctor you can rely on and communicate with when it comes to your baby's health.Download our LaneKids Doctor Checklist (PDF) and take it with you to your appointment.