How to Choose a Pediatrician: How to Pick a Pediatrician You Trust

Pick a pediatrician before the baby arrives, since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a first checkup within 48 to 72 hours after a newborn leaves the hospital. The group's current guidance, updated in 2022, points to a doctor whose training and office logistics fit the way your family lives. Learning how to choose a pediatrician starts months ahead for a simple reason: the doctor will see your baby fast. Rules also differ from practice to practice, so the after-hours phone line and the insurance desk both deserve a look before you commit. When Should the Search Start? Start during the final months of pregnancy. AAP guidance tells expectant parents to contact several pediatricians and arrange a personal interview with each one late in pregnancy, and notes that many doctors are glad to fit in these intro visits. Good names come from parents you trust, your obstetrician, a hospital, a medical school, or a county medical society.

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