{"id":19695,"date":"2022-06-14T09:45:51","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T14:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepapergown.zocdoc.com\/?p=19695"},"modified":"2023-03-20T13:02:29","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T18:02:29","slug":"8-things-to-consider-when-choosing-a-pediatrician","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/8-things-to-consider-when-choosing-a-pediatrician\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Things to Consider When Choosing a Pediatrician"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every adult needs <\/span>a primary healthcare provider<\/span><\/a>, and the same is true for children. While children can be seen by family medicine doctors, and nurse practitioners and physician assistants who take care of children, the pediatrician is a children’s primary care specialist. Pediatricians specialize in children\u2019s health, including normal growth milestones as well as illness, developmental problems and mental health. Kids have different physiological, nutritional, and developmental concerns than adults, and they change drastically from infancy through adolescence. Pediatricians know how to deal with it all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The moment a new baby is born, they need a health provider (in fact, <\/span>the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends<\/span><\/a> seven <\/span><\/i>well visits during a baby\u2019s first year, including one just a few days after birth), so it\u2019s smart to start looking for one several months before the baby\u2019s due date. It\u2019s important to give this decision some serious thought, since the pediatrician you choose can have a lasting impact on your child. In fact, <\/span>early childhood health<\/a> can shape mental and physical health for life<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thankfully, there are some clear tips that parents and guardians can follow to ensure that the person caring for their child is qualified and able to meet all of their needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Consider location<\/h3>\n

If your pediatrician lives an hour away, not only are you more likely to skip necessary checkups, but you\u2019ll also be in a stressful situation if an emergency arises. Kids require multiple checkups per year even without any health concerns (especially during that first year), so you\u2019ll want to find a location that\u2019s near your home, work or your child\u2019s daycare. If you don\u2019t drive, make sure you choose someone who is accessible via public transit.<\/span><\/p>\n

While proximity is very important, if you live in an area without any good pediatrician options nearby, you may need to accept a longer drive to get your child the care they need. It\u2019s a trade-off, but better care may be worth the inconvenience in some cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Consider who recommended the pediatrician<\/h3>\n

Getting a referral from a trusted source is always great \u2014 the vetting has been done for you! But when it comes to choosing a pediatrician, it\u2019s important to ensure the recommendation is coming from a source you can trust.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People whose pediatrician recommendations you should trust include:<\/span><\/p>\n