How can I find a good pediatrician?

This post is for the other women on Mattel’s First Steps (I need a place to link to). It’s probably not a very interesting read if you’re not a first-time mom looking for a pediatrician.

Here is a list of information and questions to consider when interview pediatricians. I tried to pull from sites like the Bump as well as what my girlfriends suggested. Feel free to add comments for things I’m missing. I’ll try to come back and update.

How to Find a Pediatrician

• Ask friends and family
• Ask your OBGYN
• Ask your daycare provider

Basic Information about the Doctor and the Practice:

About the Doctor

•  How long have you been practicing? Any specialties?
• Do you have the ability to practice at any of the area hospitals? (important if kiddo needs to be hospitalized at some point)
• Do you have kids?
• What if my baby gets sick when the office is closed? Who covers in an emergency if you aren’t on call?
• Do you respond to questions by e-mail? Do you accept calls for routine and non-emergency questions? If I leave a message, how long does it usually take you to return the call?
•  Will your initial meeting with my baby be at the hospital or the first checkup?
• What tests and screenings do you normally do at that appointment?
• What is your schedule for well baby checkups?
•  Will you discuss my child’s general growth and issues like discipline and social development?
• What are your views on…
• Bottle feeding?
• Circumcision?
• Parenting techniques?
• Getting babies to sleep?
• Alternative medicine?
• Antibiotics?
• Immunizations? (ask about preservative-free options)
• Childhood obesity?

About the Practice

• How many doctors in the office? What about RNs and nurse practitioners? 
•  If it’s a solo practice, what happens when the doc is gone?
• If it’s a group, how often will we see you, and how often will we see other members?
• Who staffs the after-hours line?
• What are your hours? Do you offer evenings or weekends?
• Do you offer same-day sick appointments? How far in advance do well appointments need to be scheduled

Location

• Is it near home? work?
• Do they have other facilitates

Things to Ask Yourself

•  Was the office clean?
• Was the waiting room kid-friendly, with toys and books?
• How soon could the interview be scheduled? How long were you in the waiting room?
• Was the office staff helpful? Were the nurses friendly?
• Was the interview rushed? Did the doctor seem open to questions?
• Did the communication feel natural? Was the doctor easy to understand?