Choosing a Pediatrician Babies and children are not just small adults--their health care needs are different. So, it is important to find a health care professional that can provide specialized care. As a baby grows and develops, a health care provider is essential for routine care as well as when illnesses or injuries occur. A pediatrician, family practice doctor, or pediatric nurse practitioner can be your baby's primary care provider. The medical specialty dealing with children is called pediatrics. What is a pediatrician? A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in the care of babies, children, and teens. All medical doctors complete four years of medical school. To become specialized in the field of pediatrics, they must complete three additional years of training. Then, a pediatrician can become board-certified, which means he or she has passed a comprehensive test given by the American Board of Pediatrics. Many pediatricians work together in a group practice with other pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners, who are nurses with additional training in pediatric care. Other members of the health care team may include office nurses, laboratory technicians, and staff who handle the administrative details and billing. What care does a pediatrician provide? Pediatricians care for children from newborn to adulthood, providing routine care, including immunizations. Pediatricians can also help parents with issues, such as growth and development, feeding, and discipline. Nearly all children have illnesses or injuries as they grow, and pediatricians provide this care, too. Choosing a pediatrician Choosing a pediatrician is an important part of preparing for a new baby. There are many things to consider including a pediatrician's training and experience, as well as the office location, hours, and routines. Finding a pediatrician is not hard, but you need to begin as soon as possible. You can ask your obstetrician for names, and talk with other parents about their pediatrician. It is often a good idea to meet with two or three prospective pediatricians before your baby is born. Many pediatricians offer a special time for parents to come and visit the office, learn about the doctors and staff, and ask questions. There may or may not be a charge for this visit. Listed below are some things to consider when choosing a pediatrician:
Location Is the office near your home or place of work? How long does it take to get there during rush hour? Is parking convenient? Does the practice have more than one office? Are the same pediatricians at the same offices all the time? The office What are the office hours? Are there weekend and/or evening hours? How do you make an appointment? How long does it take to get a well-child appointment? How long does it take to get a sick-child appointment? What about payments and billing? Is this pediatrician listed as a provider on your insurance plan? What hospital is the pediatrician affiliated with? Is this compatible with your insurance plan? How long do you have to wait in the office before you are seen? Is there a separate waiting area for sick children? Do the office staff seem friendly and interested in children? The pediatrician Ask about the pediatrician's training and experience. Does he/she have a specialty or area of interest? Is he or she board-certified, and if so, has he or she re-certified recently? Ask about the pediatrician's opinion on immunization,and use of medications, particularly antibiotics and over-the-counter medications. Does he or she prescribe medications over the phone? Will your child see the same pediatrician for all visits? What happens if your child gets sick during the night or on weekends? Who do you call? As you talk with the pediatrician and the office staff, you will develop a sense of whether they have the same philosophy of child raising as you do. You can also talk with other parents to find out their experiences and recommendations. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a referral service for help in finding a qualified pediatrician or specialist.
Guide to Vaccines for Your Family Vaccines protect your family from diseases that can be very serious. Here is a schedule of recommended vaccines for children from birth to age 18. RECOMMENDED VACCINE DTaP Influenza VACCINE SCHEDULE PROTECTS AGAINST Diphtheria, which can lead to heart muscle swelling, heart failure, coma, paralysis, and death Dose 3: age 6 months Tetanus, which can lead to painful muscle spasms, trouble breathing, and Dose 4: Between ages 15 months death and 18 months Dose 5: Between ages 4 years Every year, starting at age 6 months Pertussis, which can cause pneumonia, seizures, and death Influenza(flu), which can cause pneumonia HepA Extra dose recommended for children under age 9 the first year they receive this vaccine Dose 1: Between ages 12 months and 23 months Hepatitis A, which can lead to liver failure Dose 2: 6 months to 18 months after first dose HepB Catch-up series for those ages 2 years and older who have not already completed the HepA series. Two doses may be given, separated by at least 6 months. Dose 1: At birth Hepatitis B, which can lead to chronic liver infection, liver failure, or liver cancer Dose 2: Between ages 1 month and 2 months Dose 3: Between ages 6 months and 18 months
Hib has not received all three doses Dose 3: age 6 months, if needed Haemophilus influenzae type b, which can lead to a lifethreatening infection such as meningitis and epiglottitis, cognitive disability, pneumonia, and death Dose 4: Booster between ages 12 months and 15 months HPV Catch-up vaccine(s) after age 15 months, if needed Doses 1-3 between ages 11 years Human papillomavirus, which can cause and 12 years for both boys and cervical cancer in women and genital warts in girls both men and women IPV Catch-up series between ages 13 years and 18 years if needed Polio, which can lead to paralysis and death PCV13 Dose 3: Between ages 6 months and 18 months Dose 4: Between ages 4 years has not received all four doses Pneumococcus, which can lead to sinus and ear infections, pneumonia, blood infection, meningitis, and death Dose 3: age 6 months Dose 4: Between ages 12 months and 15 months Extra dose of PCV13 recommended for children ages 24 months through 71 months with certain health conditions Extra dose is recommended for
MCV4 previously unvaccinated children with immune conditions ages 6 years through 18 years Dose between ages 11 years and 12 years, with a booster at age 16 years Catch-up dose between ages 13 years and 15 years, if needed, with a booster between ages 16 years and 18 years Meningococcal disease, which can cause bacterial meningitis and lead to loss of limbs, disabilities, deafness, seizure, stroke, and death MMR RV For children with high-risk conditions, a dose is recommended between ages 9 months and 10 years Dose 1: Between ages 12 months and 15 months Dose 2: Between ages 4 years has not had both doses Measles, which can lead to brain swelling, pneumonia, and death Mumps, which can lead to meningitis, brain swelling, inflammation of testes or ovaries, and deafness Rubella, which can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and birth defects when a woman is pregnant Rotavirus, which can lead to severe diarrhea and dehydration Tdap Dose 3: age 6 months, if needed, depending on the vaccine manufacturer of the previous doses Single dose recommended between ages 11 years and 12 years Catch-up dose between ages 7 years and 10 years if your child has not had all five doses of DTaP Check whether additional dose is needed between ages 13 years and 18 years Tetanus, which can lead to painful muscle spasms, breathing trouble, and death Diphtheria, which can lead to heart muscle swelling, heart failure, coma, paralysis, and death Pertussis, which can cause pneumonia, seizures, and death
Varicella Dose 1: Between ages 12 months Chickenpox, which can lead to infected and 15 months blisters, bleeding disorders, brain swelling, and pneumonia Dose 2: Between ages 4 years has not received both doses Vaccines can sometimes have side effects. Most side effects are mild and don't last more than a few days. For example, your child might get a mild fever or have a sore arm at the injection spot. Severe side effects are very rare. Talk to your pediatrician about any concerns you have. SOURCE:CDC: "For Parents: Vaccines for Your Children;" "How Vaccines Prevent Disease;" "Possible Side-effects from Vaccines;" "Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 0 Through 18 Years," United States, 2015. Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian on 4/30/2017 2017 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.