Choosing a Pediatrician for Your Baby

I have listed advice about how to go about choosing a pediatrician to provide health care for your precious little one. In addition there is advice about effective ways to communicate your questions and concerns and how to schedule appointments to limit wait times.

• Don't be shy about conducting interviews for your baby's health professional.
• Question potential candidates about their views on topics of importance to you such as vaccinations/medication, feeding, sleeping and discipline philosophies.
• Attempt to choose a pediatrician that is also a parent. They might be more in touch with the realities of parenthood,give better advice and be more empathetic.
• Doctors are professionals and deserve respect but they are humans and not Gods and should not be worshiped. Do not be intimidated by the medical professionals that care for you and our family.
• Do the hours of the practice meet your needs as a parent. Such as early or late appointment times and Saturday hours.
• Schedule your appointments for the first opening of the morning or the opening right after lunch. These appointment times usually require smaller waiting times.
• Make lists of any questions you might want to ask or information you want to tell your child's health professional. This will help keep you focused.
• Video tape any unusual behavior you might have concerns about. This is a great way to communicate with your doctor about what is really going on.
• If you feel like your doctor is rushed or not paying attention to you bring this fact to his attention. If the situation does not get better I suggest choosing another pediatrician.
• If there is a concern with your baby and the problem is not being resolved to your satisfaction will a referral to a specialist be made without resistance?

Consider choosing a pediatrician for your baby like you are interviewing an employee. You are hiring this person to provide medical care for your precious child. In order for a strong parent/professional relationship to develop there must be respect,trust and mutual views.

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