How do you choose a pediatrician?

Choose a pediatrician in the third trimester: shortlist doctors in your insurance network who see patients at or near your delivery hospital, then book a free prenatal interview with your top two. The right fit answers your questions plainly and makes it easy to reach someone at 2 a.m.

Key takeaways

• Start around 28 to 32 weeks so the office is chosen before an early arrival.
• Confirm network status with the insurer, not just the office website.
• The after-hours plan matters more than the waiting-room decor.
• You can switch practices later if it doesn't work out.

Why the timing matters

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a first checkup within 3 to 5 days after birth, and the AAP's preventive care schedule then lists visits at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months. That's a lot of appointments in year one, so convenience and trust both count. Hospitals also ask for your chosen doctor's name at delivery, and some practices send a doctor to do the first exam in the hospital.

Build a shortlist

1. Insurance. Call the number on your card or use the insurer's directory, and ask whether the doctor is in network for the plan you'll have after the birth.
2. Hospital affiliation. Ask which hospitals the doctors round at.
3. Location and hours. A 15-minute drive feels different with a sick, crying infant. Check for evening or weekend hours.
4. Recommendations. Ask friends, your OB or midwife, and local parent groups, but weigh their reasons against your own priorities.
5. Credentials. Board certification can be checked through the American Board of Pediatrics. Family medicine doctors also care for children and can be a good choice if you'd like one doctor for the whole household.

Questions for the prenatal interview

Many offices offer a short meet-and-greet before birth. Bring a list:

Access and logistics

• How quickly can I get a sick visit? Same day?
• Who answers calls after hours: a doctor, a nurse line, or an answering service?
• Is there a patient portal for messages and records, and how fast are replies?
• Do you have separate waiting areas for sick and well visits?

Care style

• How long are routine visits?
• Will we usually see the same doctor, or rotate through the group?
• How do you handle feeding questions, whether breast milk, formula or both?
• How do you make decisions with parents when opinions differ?

Policies

• What is your vaccine policy, and do you follow the AAP and CDC schedules?
• Do you have lactation support on staff or a referral?
• What happens if we need a specialist?

Notice how the questions are received. A good office is glad you asked.

Telehealth and nurse lines

Many practices now offer video visits for rashes, feeding questions and follow-ups, and some insurers run a 24-hour nurse advice line. Ask whether video visits are billed like office visits, and save the nurse line number next to the practice number. For a newborn, an in-person exam is still the norm for most concerns, so treat telehealth as an extra, not a replacement.

Red flags

• You can't get a clear answer about after-hours care.
• Staff are dismissive on the phone.
• Wait times for well visits run several weeks.
• The doctor talks over you or rushes every question.

None of these is necessarily a deal-breaker alone, but two or three together are worth listening to.

After you choose

• Tell the hospital and your OB or midwife the doctor's name.
• Add the office number and after-hours line to both parents' phones.
• Ask the office what they need after the birth: insurance card, hospital discharge papers, and the date of the first visit.
• Add your child to your health plan. Most employer plans give a short window, often 30 days, after the birth to enroll.

When to call

Once you have a pediatrician, call any time something worries you. Call right away, or seek emergency care, for a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in an infant under 3 months, trouble breathing, a blue or gray color around the lips, or a baby who is very hard to wake. Your pediatrician's office will tell you their own guidance at the first visit. This article is general information, not medical advice.

A note for later

Weeks later, some families like a printed story about the first days at home. The new baby book is built from the moment you pick, such as coming home or meeting family, plus optional details and photos of real places; you approve a proof before it prints in softcover or hardcover with a PDF. Look through a sample new baby book, see the gift guide and check pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Is a prenatal visit free? Many practices don't charge, but ask when booking.

Can I switch pediatricians? Yes. Request records be sent to the new office and check that the new doctor is in network.

Is a family doctor fine instead of a pediatrician? Yes, many family physicians care for newborns; ask about their experience with infants.

Related reading:

• How to plan parental leave
• Postpartum freezer meals

Sources

1. Finding a Pediatrician, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), accessed November 3, 2026
2. Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care (Periodicity Schedule), American Academy of Pediatrics, accessed November 3, 2026