Who and What are Pediatricians?

Pediatricians are doctors for babies, who at least have 3 years of supervised training experience. With the help of the training they acquire a deep and specific skills to treat a wide range of child illnesses and disease. There is also special and additional training for pediatricians that specialize in child cardiology or other acute problems.   

When to start looking for pediatricians?

One should start looking for the pediatricians in the final months of pregnancy. Having a good pediatrician with a good experience is very important form the point of view of pregnancy.    

How to choose a good pediatrician?

One should prepare a list of recommended pediatricians in the local area, you may want to ask your family and close freinds that have children about their current pediatricians or check with your personal care physician for recommendations. Once you decide which local pediatricians you would like to check out, you then need to arrange to meet with them and ask them any questions you may have about their educational background, their experience, and generally get a feel for the way you think that they would treat your children.

Make sure that the pediatricain that is choosen agrees with the more important concerns that you have and is easy to communicate with. Your childs pediatrician should be well versed in caring for small children, gentle and understanding of the needs of your child and the needs of the parents.

Seeking advice of a good pediatrician is very important as after the baby is born and if the baby suffers any kind of illness it is always better to consult the pediatrician you have consulted with during the pregnancy. Following are some of the questions you may want to ask the pediatrician before choosing your pediatrician, be sure and consider how indepth his answers are, and that you are comfortable with the way he answers your inquiries:

1. Do most of the mothers in your practice breastfeed or bottle feed their young ones and why?

2. What are your suggestions regarding infant vaccines or circumcision?

3. What are your recommended cures if the baby does not sleep and keeps on crying the whole night?

4. What are your suggestions regarding the use of antibiotics or other medications for children with a cold or fever?

5. Is it okay if the babies sleep with their parents on the same bed?

6. What are the fees of your suggested hospital?

7. Is there a provision of any PNP in your hospital?

8. What is the approximate length for the scheduling of your appointments?

9. How often should we come for a check up of the baby in a year?

10. Is there a provision of a Sick child waiting room in your hospital or clinic?

11. Do you work in the evenings and on Saturdays?

12. How much time approximately does a typical appointment take?

13. What is the number of doctors available in your hospital? Will we be able to always see you or some other doctor?

14. Is there a provision of home visits in case of emergencies?

There may be other questions that you want to ask, and if so be sure and ask them. You do not want to pick a pediatrician for your child that you are not comfortable with or familiar with so do not feel intimidated and not ask everything you think is important. Choosing the right doctor for your child will result in a healthy and happy baby, but also will give you the confidence that your child’s health is in good hands.

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