How to pick the best pediatrician for your Children

When it comes to picking a pediatrician for your kids, there are several factors to consider. You want to make sure you find someone who is qualified and experienced, but also someone your child, as well as you, feel comfortable with. 

Here are a few tips to help you find the best pediatrician for your children. 

What is a pediatrician? 

Pediatricians are doctors who has undergone additional training to work with infants, children, and adolescents. They have the knowledge and experience about physical, emotional, and social development of children to give your child just the right care for his or her age and stage of life. Pediatricians can also specialize in areas like sports medicine and child abuse detection. 

What is the difference between a pediatrician and a family doctor? 

 While both doctors are fully equipped to care for and treat patients, Pediatricians specialize in children and have more in-depth knowledge about the growth, development, and behavior of small kids. Pediatricians are doctors who go to medical school right after college (typically 4 years of college then another 4 years of medical school). A family doctor usually goes to medical school immediately after high school. Family doctors may also specialize in areas like gynecology, geriatrics and psychiatry. They can perform a variety of different medical procedures, from delivering a baby to prescribing medication. 

What do pediatricians do? 

Pediatricians Such as Dr. Senait Adebo at Sugar Land Pediatrics provide services such as checkups and health screenings, looking for diseases and making sure children's growth and development is on the right track, administering vaccines (shots), and treating illnesses. They also provide sports physical exams, and administer medications while also writing prescriptions for certain childhood illnesses. 

Things to consider when choosing a pediatrician: 

Interview pediatricians to see how they interact with you and your kids 

Your pediatrician needs to be someone you feel comfortable with and whom your kids like. Dr. Senait Adebo at Sugar Land Pediatrics always ensures to make time for a meet and greet as a complimentary Prenatal visit or if you are new and looking for a pediatrician 

Take your kids with you on the interview, if possible, if they’re too young to come during the consult, talk to them about it afterward and see what they think of the doctor. They will not only tell you how warm the doctor is, but how comfortable they were with the equipment and office space as well. 

Ask about their background 

All pediatricians should have the same license, but their backgrounds and experience may vary. You can ask about where they went to medical school and if they did an internship or residency. Also, make sure they are up to date on all of the latest research in pediatrics by asking what journals they read regularly and what conferences they attend. 

What types of patients do they see? 

Some pediatricians only see infants, while others treat adolescents or both adults and children. Some may work in a hospital setting, while others practice independently with no affiliation to any medical facility. Find out what kind of patients the doctor treats and make sure it’s someone you feel comfortable with. 

Consider the hours of operation 

Most pediatricians work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but make sure you can schedule an appointment that fits your schedule. Ask about after-hours care and how you can reach them after hours 

 Make sure the office location is convenient for you and your kid. 

If you have a new baby, you will be going to the doctor’s office very frequently. It is important the location of the doctor’s office is not inconvenient or out of your way. You will have a lot of errands to do with the baby. It would be a hassle if you had to drive a long way for check-ups and vaccination appointments. 

Location is not the only thing you should consider, but also whether they have Saturday appointments. Usually, pediatricians have office hours from Monday – Friday, so if you have a new baby and both parents work, it’s hard to schedule appointments. If the pediatrician you want has Saturday hours, then that is great! You can schedule an appointment on Saturday morning if your days off are Friday or Sunday. 

Pick a pediatrician that has experience treating children with similar health conditions as yours. 

If your child is very small or has Down syndrome, you need to pick a pediatrician that knows about their special conditions. If your child doesn’t like needles, find out if the pediatrician uses numbing cream before giving shots. 

It’s also important to pick a pediatrician who is warm and friendly. Ask for recommendations from people whose children are your child’s age. Ask around and find out if your friend's or coworkers’ kids like their pediatrician too. If you’re expecting, ask the pediatrician how they handle breastfeeding and circumcision and if they can answer any questions you have about these topics. 

Picking a pediatrician that understands your values is also very important. For example, some pediatricians do not vaccinate their children. Other pediatricians prescribe antibiotics too quickly. You need a pediatrician that meets your standards of care for your child. 

Look at reviews online 

When you’ve narrowed down your list of potential pediatricians, look at reviews online and ask around for recommendations from people whose children attend the doctor’s office. If there are many good reviews and recommendations, then the doctor is likely the right choice for your child. 

Once you’ve chosen a pediatrician, go in for a consultation and make sure you feel comfortable with the person. It may take you a couple of tries to find the best pediatrician for your child but keep looking until you find someone who is friendly and warm while also providing excellent care to your little one. 

What to expect from your pediatrician 

Your child will be weighed and measured at every appointment. They will ask about how your child is doing, and they might do a quick physical exam to check for any problems or developmental delays. If there’s anything wrong, then the pediatrician will suggest appropriate treatment. A well-child visit usually lasts longer if they need shots. Your child might cry during a physical exam, but that’s normal. The pediatrician might use a needle to get the immunization out of your child’s muscle and it may hurt for a little bit. It is important to remain calm and hold your child while they receive their shots, so they feel comfortable too. 

Here are some questions to ask a prospective pediatrician and your family. 

• What is your philosophy on vaccinations? 
• Do you have Saturday hours? 
• How do you handle breastfeeding and circumcision? 
• Where do the majority of your patients come from (referrals, word-of-mouth)? 

• Can I bring my older children with me as well (older siblings may be more comfortable with the pediatrician knowing their role too)? 
• What is your fee for an office visit? 
• Do you have a sliding scale fee system (low-income families)? 
• Can I make payments? 
• How are emergencies handled after hours or on weekends? Is there a pediatric on-call service, or can I call your home number? 

The bottom line 

It is important for parents to take the time to find a pediatrician who they feel comfortable with. As you can see, there are many factors that go into this decision, and it should not be left up to chance or whimsy. 

If you need a pediatrician around Missouri City and Sugar Land TX, Sugar Land Pediatrics is a great choice. When it comes to navigating Newborn care, breastfeeding, and newborn circumcision Dr. Senait Adebo is an expert. We at Sugar Land Pediatrics pride ourselves in the high quality of care we provide our patients by offering same-day sick appointments and being available when we need us the most.  Feel free to reach out to us today to schedule an appointment! Or send a text message at our website or the office phone number 832 5817474. We look forward to serving you