Having Your First Child? What To Look For When You're Trying To Find A Pediatrician
Posted on: 6 January 2018
Having your first child is an experience like none other. You'll be bringing another life into the world, one that will be completely dependent on you to feed, clothe and provide a place for them to live. A large part of getting through the initial phases of first-time parenthood is having a good pediatrician in your corner. The advice and guidance they provide makes a world of difference, especially if you don't have a lot of people around you who are able to help. You want to put a good deal of thought into choosing the right pediatrician. The information below will give you a few tips that can help you make the right choice.
After-Hours Availability Is A Must
It's one thing to be able to see the pediatrician during traditional business hours. Your baby might just be going in for a routine physical and be in very good spirits. The situation becomes a bit more severe when it's three o'clock in the morning and your little one just won't stop crying. You've never dealt with this kind of thing before and could be feeling scared and anxious because you don't know what's wrong. That's when your pediatrician can really be of assistance.
Be sure to select a pediatrician who has after-hours availability. This could mean several different things. The pediatrician may give you a mobile number that you can call any time of the day or night if you have questions for them. Conversely, the pediatric doctor might work with a team of midwives and nurses who are on-call around the clock. This service is absolutely critical and is a must-have when you're selecting a pediatrician.
Check For Compatible Philosophies
Because you're likely going to be spending so much time with the pediatrician that you select, it's always good if the two of you share similar philosophies about baby care. For example, maybe you're the type of parent who does not want your child to be vaccinated. If so, you should bring this up with a potential pediatrician to see what they say. If they believe heavily in vaccinations you could start to feel pressured to change your stance. This adds a layer of tension that can be avoided if you go with someone who is more in tune with your way of thinking.
Don't be afraid to take pencil and paper to the consultations that you have with various pediatricians. Compare the notes and choose the one that stands out from the pack.
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