How to Choose a Pediatrician

Your child's pediatrician will be part of your family's life for a long time, often from the first days home until the late teen years. That makes it worth taking some time to choose. The right fit is a doctor and office you trust, can reach when you need them, and feel comfortable asking even the questions you think sound silly. Here is how to go about finding one.

Start during pregnancy

The best time to look is in the last few months of pregnancy, often around the start of the third trimester. Shortly after birth, the hospital will ask for your baby's doctor's name, and your baby will need a checkup within a few days of going home. Choosing ahead means you are not making calls while recovering and caring for a newborn. If you are adopting, or changing doctors for an older child, the same steps apply.

Good places to get names include friends and family with young children, your obstetrician or midwife, your insurance company's directory, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP has a helpful guide on how to choose a pediatrician.

Check the basics first

Insurance

Call your insurance plan or check its website to see which pediatricians are in your network. Then call the office to confirm they take your plan and are accepting new patients. If you have Medicaid or CHIP, ask about that specifically. Plans change, so it is worth checking again each year.

Training

Pediatricians finish medical school and then several years of training focused on children. Many are board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Some offices also have nurse practitioners or physician assistants who care for children. You can ask about each provider's training.

Location

In the first year alone your baby will have many checkups, plus sick visits. An office close to home, work or child care makes those trips easier. If a practice has more than one location, ask whether you can be seen at another office when your usual one is booked.

Hours and after-hours access

Babies tend to get sick at night and on weekends. Ask:

• What are your office hours? Do you have early morning, evening or weekend hours?
• Can my child usually be seen the same day when sick?
• Who answers the phone after hours? Can I talk to a nurse or doctor at night?
• Do you have an online portal or messaging for non-urgent questions?
• Which hospitals do your doctors work with, or who cares for my baby if they are admitted?
• If my child's own doctor is away, who will see them?

Language and communication

You should be able to talk with your child's doctor easily. In San Antonio many families speak Spanish at home, or another language. Ask which languages the doctors and staff speak, and whether interpreters are available for other languages. Also notice whether the office explains things in a way you understand, and whether you feel rushed.

Questions about how the office works

• How long are well visits, and how far ahead do they book?
• Are sick children separated from well visits in the waiting room?
• Can lab tests be done in the office?
• How do you handle prescription refills and forms for school, camp or sports?
• How do you work with specialists if my child needs one?
• Do you help with breastfeeding, behavior, or mental health concerns?

It is also fair to ask about a doctor's approach to topics that matter to your family, such as feeding choices, sleep or how they handle disagreements. A good pediatrician listens and explains their reasons, even if they recommend something you were not planning.

Meet-the-doctor visits

Many practices offer a short prenatal or meet-the-doctor visit. Some do it in person, some by phone or video, and some hold group tours. Ask whether there is a fee and whether your insurance covers it. The AAP encourages expectant parents to meet the pediatrician before birth when they can.

During or after the visit, think about how it felt:

• Was the staff friendly and helpful when you called?
• Was the office clean and child friendly?
• Did the doctor listen and answer your questions clearly?
• Did you feel respected, and would you feel comfortable calling at 2 a.m.?

If both parents or other caregivers will bring the baby in, it helps for them to come too.

It is okay to change

Sometimes a practice that looked right does not work out. If something is bothering you, start by talking with the doctor or office manager. Many issues can be fixed. If not, you can switch. Ask the new office to request your child's records so nothing is lost, especially vaccine records.

For more on preparing before your baby arrives, the AAP has a page on finding a pediatrician during pregnancy.

When to call us

A thru Z Pediatrics has five offices in the San Antonio area. If you are expecting or new to the area, call your A thru Z Pediatrics office to ask about insurance, hours or a prenatal visit, or to set up your newborn's first checkup.

If your child is ever having trouble breathing, is unresponsive, or has a seizure, call 911 or go to the ER right away. Do not wait to reach a doctor.

Ready to get started? You can request a visit.