When do i get a pediatrician for my baby

Lavin said. They can talk with a pediatrician before the fatigue of new parenthood sets in and there's an adorably distracting little human in their arms who may be crying, spitting up, or in immediate need of feeding or a diaper change. Lavin said, "this visit is about laying a foundation for a trusting, supportive relationship between the family and their pediatrician, who will work together to keep the child healthy for the next 18 or 20 years. Finding a Pediatrician.

Pediatrician and the Health Care Team. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Turn on more accessible mode. Turn off more accessible mode. Skip Ribbon Commands. 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.

You can ask your obstetrician or midwife for recommendations, for starters. Hospitals, insurance companies, and medical schools also provide referrals to doctors.

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. And be sure to ask your local experts — friends, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers with kids who share your parenting philosophies and general outlook on life.

People look for different things in doctors, and what's most important for you may not even be on someone else's radar. So rather than just gathering a list of names, try asking some probing questions of whoever makes the recommendation, such as:. The answers you get can help narrow your list to the handful of doctors you'd like to meet in person. Before going a step further, make sure all the doctors you're considering are taking on new patients and will accept your health insurance.

And although this might seem unnecessarily cautious, it's wise to check with your 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 and office hours.

The best doctor in the city can lose her luster if her office is hard to get to imagine driving at rush hour with a sick and miserable child. The next step is visiting your top prospects at their offices. Only a face-to-face meeting will show you whether this doctor has the warmth, sensitivity, and professionalism you're seeking. Most offices will accommodate your request for an interview with the doctor, although some practices charge for it.

If this is the case, find out ahead of time whether your insurance company will pay for the meeting. Some will if it's billed as an office visit. A video visit may be appropriate or available for some health concerns and conditions.

The following five tips can help you in your search for a pediatrician as you prepare for the arrival of your child. Make sure the pediatrician accepts your health insurance and that the doctor is accepting new patients. Scripps has a wide network of pediatricians across San Diego County and accepts most insurance plans. One of the best ways to start compiling your list is to ask friends and family members.

When gathering your choices, consider the location of the office, regular and weekend hours and after-hours care. AAP recommends that expectant parents meet with their pediatrician before their child is born. Data suggests pregnant women in rural areas may have even more difficulty accessing a prenatal visit. According to the AAP, a prenatal visit with the pediatrician is especially helpful for first-time parents and those who are facing a high high-risk pregnancy, experiencing complications, expecting more than one child, or in the process of adopting a child.

At a prenatal visit, a pediatrician can cover safety topics like car seats, what kind of bedding parents need for a crib or bassinet, and what immunizations family members need to protect the newborn.

The clinical report — which updates a previous version published in — also includes recommendations on recognizing depression and other challenges that can harm child health. The pediatric prenatal visit is a good time to talk about normal feelings of stress from a baby crying or other demands of caring for an infant, as well as setting clear plans to help cope with the stress before feeling overwhelmed, said Arthur Lavin, MD, FAAP, co-author of the report, and incoming chair of the AAP Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health.

Lavin said. We maintain separate sick and well waiting rooms to minimize the spread of germs. We are cognizant of potential transmission of illness and so we never have newborns wait in any waiting room.

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