Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and meeting with two pediatric practices next week to meet all their doctors/NPs.

What are some questions I need to make sure I ask them?

FYI, we do plan to fully vax, although we are delaying at least one vaccine (Hep B), we do not plan to co-sleep with baby in bed (bassinet in room), and I do plan to breastfeed exclusively, if any of that is relevant :)

TIA! :heart

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

Is there an office policy on vax?
Is there an after hours nurses line?
Do they have a LC in house, or that they refer out to?
How do they support breastfeeding?
Do they have carseat techs or events?
Do they have flu shot clinics or do you have to make a regular appointment?


As far as sleep and solids, imo, unless you have health concerns, pediatricians are just not the ones to ask. They tend to have dated info and aren't experts in those areas :shrug3

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

I definitely don't ask parenting related questions. I personally keep those private. :yes

Do they schedule far enough in advance u can schedule next well baby before you leave?
How many doctors are in the practice? Do u float between them or do u get assigned to one?
Do they have visiting rights at the children's hospital?
Do they have digital records? And if yes, do they have a digital chart for parents to View?
Will they come to the hospital to examine after you give birth? Or if not, when will they see the baby for first appointment?
Do they have Saturday appointments? How late are regular "we'll check up" appointments?
Does your schedule allow "same day sick Visits" or send you to urgent care"

I am thinking :think

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

Do they have different waiting areas and exam rooms for well and sick children?

How long does it take to get an appointment (this will vary even within the same office, but you need somewhere you can get in same day if you need to)?

But mostly you want to enjoy talking with them, feel like they are listening to you, etc.

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

One more digital question- if digital is important to you. Do they do digital messaging and digital appointment scheduling?

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

oh, yes, and digital lab/test results

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

My ped didn't ask if we co-sleep. Ped asked if we had a separate area for baby to sleep. I said yes. We have a pack n play set up. And we have a co-sleeper that goes wherever, including in the bed. She did sleep in it the first two nights before I wasn't "afraid of her" lol and moved her into bed. She slept a couple of hours in the pack n play too.

I wouldn't engage on any topic outside of *relevant* medical issues with a ped.

I guess I'd ask about bili blanket v admission for jaundice.

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

One big think I look for is that they show respect to you as a parent - that they trust your gut about your child, listen to your concerns, and if you have questions about medical advice they'll listen carefully.

ex. If you know your child freaks out about blood draws, or your child always gets the worst complications from a cold so "wait and see" ends in the ER) they adjust their treatment to those circumstances bc they value your insight as a parent. This isn't based on having a specific medical or parenting philosophy, it's more of a bedside manner and humility (in the sense of learning from others) that matters a lot to me.

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

Yes. This. I love our current NP because she really listens, and always comes in having reviewed my kids' charts beforehand. So if I come in saying so and so might have an ear infection, then she already knows that so and so didn't do well with a given antibiotic and suggests an appropriate alternative.

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

How they handle after hours calls/care is a very good one to ask. I would also ask about where they refer patients for ongoing/complex issues. (gastro, cardiology, etc.... )

Do you know anyone with a toddler or older who has used either practice? I think it can be helpful to find out how the baby well visits go from other parents' perspectives.

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

I'm sure I could ask Facebook and find someone :)


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Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

A HIGHLY rated practice around here told a friend of mine who had a 36 week 0 day baby that he wouldn't nurse well until 40 weeks, so she didn't even try until then. He didn't nurse great the first day, so she gave up. A whole month of pumping because of one word from a ped. (She's a rule follower.) And then breastfeeding was a failure for her.

So......that seems like another good question to ask.

So....I'm not sure what to ask. "What kind of extra care does a baby who is born at 36 weeks but doesn't need NICU care get from this practice?" ???

And....are you "ready" to have a baby before 40 weeks 5 days (I read somewhere that was average for 1st time moms). I was shocked at 39 w 0 days. lol

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

Some practices schedule well visits during a block of time and sick visits in another block to hopefully avoid having sick kids in the waiting room with everyone else. It's nice if they do that in a large practice.

I'd ask what lactation consultant they recommend when a mother/baby pair has issues with breastfeeding or weight gain. (Many peds don't even have one name, let alone know who's the best.)

I'd ask if they refer out for tongue/lip tie or if they do it in office.

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

The LC question is a great one - one reason I chose our Dr was because she also had her ibclc, and I knew I wanted someone who was knowledgeable and supportive when it came to exclusive nursing.

Re: Questions for Potential Pediatrician?
 

Over the years, I have stopped asking questions. What I do instead is find doctors who respect the parents and the patients. No matter what their personal or professional beliefs are, a doctor that respects me as the mother is one that I can and do work with.