What to ask potential pediatrician

[LHcj2008]

I have a meet-and-greet with a pediatrician tomorrow morning, and aside from my questions concerning vaccines/alternative schedules, I really don't know what else to ask him. Any tips/suggestions would be hugely appreciated!

[lifeguard]

If you are having a boy (or don't know) & plan on leaving him intact I would ask about how he views care of an intact penis.

[finnegansmom]

If you plan on nursing I might mention it.  Some peds aren't as pro nursing, especially "extended" (past 3-6 months). 

We lucked out with our last ped, he was at a more mainstream practice but he was all about nursing as long as possible (that's why your boys are healthy!) and didn't give me the "he'll get dental caries for night nursing" crapola.

We selectice/delay vax and he wasn't really in a position to say "that's ok to not vax" but if I said to him, which ONE vax would you give your 6 month old based on x/y/z he would honest with responses like "i haven't see an outbreak of this around here in xxx years but we have seen a TON of this this year".  No pressure but just facts.  We made our own decisions.

Aside from the uncirc care and vaxes, I might ask him how they handle after hours/weekend calls/care.

Because 9 out of 10 times, when you NEED to be seen quickly it will be either sunday or 10pm at night.

[rootzdawta]

Moved from I'm Pregnant

[WhiteHorse]

If you have decided you are not vaxing at all, make sure you get his position on this. My 3 yo son has a severe dairy allergy and is very underweight. I "thought" my family doc was going to be ok with not vaxing (and I did have a medical reason to be leery) but after being relaxed about it at first, now he is telling me he keeps to the cdc schedule at his practice and wants to start catching him up. I am pretty sure there are NO regular docs around here that will be fine and dandy about not vaxing. It's their job to get those vaccination percentages up.

[mamaladd]

We thought we were joining a pretty alternative pediatric practice.  While the cost was a bit steep, we felt it was worth it to have a team who we really trusted, being new parents and all....Here's the reasons we left:

They were unsupportive of cosleeping past a couple months.  They spent over half an hour discussing "gentle" CIO methods, and promised us we'd be sorry if we didn't deal with this by 6 months. (Then charged quite a bit extra for an 'extended visit')

They recommended starting solids at 4 months.

These two things in and of itself aren't too big of a deal.  I suppose you can always just not mention how much or where your babe really sleeps.  Or just wait on solids regardless of their advice...but I think what really got us was the following:

Although they follow the Dr. Sears vaccine schedule, and prescribe homeopathy to mitigate any potential effects of vaccines, they were pretty uncompromising on any delays with the Dr. Sears schedule.  Their policy was that without the Hib vaccine any fever 100.4 or higher required a spinal tap!  

So again...just don't tell them if your babe has a fever over 100.4, but at this point...what's the point of the pediatrician at all?  

These are definitely some things I didn't think to ask about ahead of time that ended up being deal breakers for us.  

What drew us to them was their use of homeopathy, particularly with vaccines, should we choose to do any.

Their emphasis on nutrition, (though I doubted their philosophy once they recommended solids at 4 months)

24 hour access to one of the actual doctors via telephone.

Guaranteed same day visits.

hopefully that gives you some items to think about and ask at your meeting tomorrow... Best of luck!

[maple79vt]

I have one that so many people don't think of because they think it won't happen to there child.  Food Allergies!  We have been through several doctors with our kids.  Just because they're a doctor/nurse doesn't mean that they have any concept about food allergies.  If you have any type of allergy in your family/extended family then there is the chance your child could develope food allergies. 

If you plan on co-sleeping keep it to yourself.  Otherwise be ready for confrontation with the doc.  Most docs recommend the let them cry method (I'm totally against it). 

Have your proposed vaccination schedule in writing if you want to use an alternative.  This could be put in your child's chart so everyone is aware of the plan. 

[~Adorkable~]

One of the good things I have heard to check on is if any well baby check ups are kept separate from sick visitors. Like either scheduled for one particular day a week or different waiting area.
This is something the place I just moved from always did and it seemed so smart, since who wants to go to get a simple check up and then get sick in the waiting room!

In general I would just ask them the open ended question of how they see their role in your Childs life? And your life ? I would listen to that first before going over a written down checklist of the top non negotionables with them.

[TheDivineMrsM]

How many docs are in the practice?

What hospital are you affiliated with? 

(If having a hospital birth) Will you visit my baby after they're born?

What happens if my child gets sick after hours?

Ae you accessible if I have a question after hours?

If my baby is sick and I need an appointment, can I get one the same day?

What are your views on circumcision/delaying or skipping vax/breastfeeding?

Is there a lactation consultant on staff if I have a BFing question?

How often will the baby need checkups?

Is there a different entrance/waiting room/area for sick children and those coming for well visits? 

[Addie]

If you're planning to breastfeed, I'd ask if any of the peds on staff are also lactation consultants, preferably IBCLC. All of the peds at the office where we take DS are IBCLCs, and it was a great comfort when we had difficulties in the beginning.