Whether you’re expecting a new baby, you’ve recently relocated, or you’re a new caregiver for a child, it’s important to choose a pediatrician you can trust. This is especially true if you have a new baby on the way, since you’ll be visiting this doctor many times during their first years of life.

To guide you in finding the right doctor or healthcare provider for your child, Children’s Hospital Colorado pediatrician Kaitlin Whelan, MD, shares tips on navigating this important decision — and what questions caregivers should ask along the way.

How to find a pediatrician or family doctor

Choosing the right pediatrician for your family is important because you’ll start seeing them from the moment your child is born. "Typically, families can expect to see their pediatrician within 24 to 48 hours after discharge from the hospital and at the two-week, one-month and two-month mark,” Dr. Whelan says. “Sometimes, they will need to be seen in-between those times to check on weight gain or jaundice.”

Your child’s doctor will be a source of information, support, advice, and of course, medical care, so you want someone you feel comfortable calling, even after hours. A pediatrician should be responsive, reassuring and knowledgeable, and should be able to recommend the best care for your child in any circumstance.

“We as pediatric providers want to be on your team and help your child grow and thrive,” Dr. Whelan says. “If you aren’t comfortable with the provider you are seeing, then you are less likely to have a good experience.”

One of the best ways to start the search for a doctor for your child is to seek out referrals from everyone you know — your personal doctor, friends, relatives, coworkers, other caregivers, and members from organizations and groups you’re affiliated with. Ask them why they recommend or chose these doctors and start to compile a list of names.

Set up meetings with potential pediatricians

Once you have a list of recommended pediatricians, Dr. Whelan recommends calling each office to confirm they’re accepting new patients, that they take your insurance, and to find out what hospital their office is affiliated with. Next, she suggests that caregivers personally visit each pediatrician at their office. A face-to-face interview is the best way to make sure you feel safe around the doctor and get familiar with the office. It will also give you an opportunity to ask questions that can help narrow down your search.

Most doctors are very open to meeting with families to discuss their care philosophy and the way their practice operates. Some pediatricians even offer specific times and tours of their practice so parents and caregivers can get a sense of the care team in an open house setting.

Interview questions to ask a pediatrician 

When meeting with a pediatrician for the first time, be prepared with a list of questions that matter most to you. For instance, if your child has a specific health issue, or if they are at risk of developing a genetic disease, find a doctor that has experience with that condition.

Consider the following questions and tweak them to meet your specific needs:

• How do you involve caregivers in their child’s healthcare?
• How do you incorporate mental health within overall health?
• Will your office send vaccine or well-child visit reminders for my child?
• Do you offer last-minute or weekend appointments?
• Is there a nurse line for after-hours calls that aren’t urgent?
• Do you offer telehealth?
• Can I send questions online through a patient portal?
• What additional services does your office offer, such as family navigators or labs?
• Do you have resources to help with billing and insurance?

Questions to discuss as a family after your pediatrician interview

After you’ve met with the doctors on your list, take time to sit down and review their answers. Discussing with a partner, family members or other trusted adults can help you narrow down your list and find the best possible doctor for your child.

In those conversations, consider these questions:

• Was the office child-friendly?  
• Did you feel at ease in this office? 
• Was the doctor well-informed about preventative health measures? 
• Did your appointment begin on time? 
• Is the location convenient for your family? 
• Do you and the doctor have similar views on topics such as breastfeeding, parenting philosophy, etc.?

Finding the right pediatrician for your family

According to Dr. Whelan, the biggest takeaway after meeting with a pediatrician is whether they are someone you feel comfortable going to with concerns. “A doctor can only really help if you can collaborate honestly with them,” Dr. Whelan says.

In other words, if you have any doubts about being able to share information transparently with a pediatrician, they might not be the right doctor for you. And when you find the right doctor, you’ll probably know. Feeling comfortable, heard and understood — no matter your concerns and questions — is a good sign that this person can be a partner in your child’s health for years to come.