Choosing the right doctor for your baby is an important decision: You'll be visiting the doctor's office six times in the first year for routine well-baby visits alone. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the choice, but with a little homework and legwork, you should be able to find one you like and trust.

When should I begin my search for a doctor?

Some parents know which doctor or practice they want for their baby before they even conceive. But many start the search during pregnancy and arrive at a decision when they're seven or eight months along.
Making a decision well before labor and delivery allows for an informed, well-considered choice. It's a good idea to start compiling a list of candidates about four months before your due date.

What kind of practitioner should I look for?

Many parents take their baby to a pediatrician, a doctor who specializes in the care of children. Focusing on children's health and practicing with kids each day gives pediatricians a leg up when it comes to expertise on children's medical issues.
Other parents prefer a family practitioner, a doctor specializing in family medicine who can treat the whole family, from birth to old age. One advantage these parents point to is that the family practitioner should be well versed in health issues that pertain to your entire family (genetic diseases, for example).
Either type of doctor is fine, as long as you feel comfortable and confident about your child's care.

Where can I get names of doctors to consider?

You can ask your obstetrician or midwife for recommendations, for starters. Hospitals, insurance companies, and medical schools also provide referrals to doctors.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers referrals to certified practitioners on its website. Certification by the AAP means that the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school, completed an accredited residency program, and passed the board exam in pediatrics.
And be sure to ask your local experts — friends, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers with kids who share your parenting philosophies and general outlook on life.

How will I know if a doctor recommended by someone else will be suitable for us?

People look for different things in doctors, and what's most important for you may not even be on someone else's radar. So rather than just gathering a list of names, try asking some probing questions of whoever makes the recommendation, such as:
  • How does your child respond to the doctor?
  • Does the doctor seem to enjoy working with children?
  • Does the doctor seem to know about the latest medical advances?
  • Does the doctor welcome questions?
  • Does the doctor take time to discuss problems and listen to your concerns?
  • If it's a group practice, do you know and like the other doctors?
  • Is the office staff patient and helpful?
  • How long do you usually have to wait?
  • Is the waiting room pleasant and kid-friendly?
  • Is parking plentiful and convenient?
  • Is there anything you don't like or wish was different about your child's doctor or her practice?
The answers you get can help narrow your list to the handful of doctors you'd like to meet in person.