Choosing the best pediatrician for your family is an important decision. Here’s a few tips that can make things a lot easier. This post is sponsored by AdventHealth for Children. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As a mom with a chronic illness, staying on top of our physical health is a top priority for me. Since my illness is genetic I want to make sure my kids have the best pediatrician on their medical team so that we can stay ahead of any concerns that may pop up. Choosing a medical provider that was able to see us for everything from routine scheduled visits to physicals and sick visits was a major priority. We also wanted someone who my kids would feel comfortable with as they grew older. Having an established medical team gives us a peace of mind to know that there is someone we can call on whenever our kids get sick.

If you’re trying to find the best pediatrician for your family, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

How to Choose The Best Pediatrician for Your Family

After having three beautiful babies, I think it’s safe to say that I know a thing or two about finding the right pediatrician for us. It was a decision that I didn’t take lightly and since a pediatrician was someone who would stick with our family for years, I did lots of research. One of the main things I kept in mind when doing my search was that I wanted to stay within the AdventHealth Medical Group. All of my medical doctors are within that group and I knew that they would deliver the standard of care we were looking for.

When Do You Need to Look for a New Pediatrician

Getting started once I knew where to look was the easy part. The best time to start looking for a new pediatrician is before you give birth. You’ll have to make a trip to the pediatrician with your baby to get them established as a patient within a few days of going home from the hospital. Plus once your baby is born you’ll have your hands full with postpartum recovery, changing diapers, breastfeeding, and just enjoying your time with your little one. The last thing you want to do is have to find a pediatrician. Start your search as soon as possible so that you can be prepared.

One of the bonuses about finding your pediatrician early is that they may be able to do an exam of your baby right in the hospital if it’s one they are affiliated with. This wasn’t an option for us with Trevor since he was in the NICU (you can read his birth story here) but once he was released he was ready for his visit with our pediatrician within days. We started out seeing Dr. Chong in the AdventHealth Medical Group Pediatrics at College Park office. He was such an amazing doctor but we were lucky enough to live closer to an AdventHealth Pediatrics office that opened up right in our neighborhood.

It literally has been the most convenient thing for our family. Dr. Behani’s office is a short 10 minute drive from home and we’re always able to get an appointment when we need one. Her entire staff has always been amazing to our family. She always asks the right questions when we’re in her office and makes sure that our kids and I feel heard. As a mom that’s something that is at the top of my list.

Another bonus is that if we ever need to visit an AdventHealth specialist, pediatric urgent care or hospital they’ll have access to my kids’ records. Everything is intertwined and makes it so easy for me. Less paperwork and not having to remember an entire medical history for two kids is so convenient.

Questions to Ask Your New Pediatrician

If you’re on the hunt for a new pediatrician, here’s a few questions to keep in mind when calling their office:

1. Are they taking new patients?
2. Do they accept your insurance?
3. Do they usually have same day appointments for sick visits?
4. Are they open to referring to specialists for conditions they may not be well versed in?
5. What is their late or cancellation policy?
6. Are there other providers in the office?

I highly recommend the AdventHealth Medical Group Pediatrics team. You can find offices and doctors near you using the AdventHealth Women’s and Children’s Health Navigator.

More Resources for New and Expecting Parents

Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

10 Ways to Support a NICU Family