One of the best ways to start your hunt for a new pediatrician is to see if someone you know recommends any pediatricians. You may have different preferences for medical care than the person who offers you the recommendation, but it is a good place to start if someone you personally know would recommend this specific pediatrician. Other factors it is recommended that you take into consideration include any information that can make accessing medical care for your children easier, such as whether the office is located somewhere convenient for you and your family if the pediatrician is affiliated with a good hospital that is also conveniently located for you, if the pediatric office takes your type of insurance, and if the pediatrician or other physicians in the office have any specialties in the case that your baby has a condition that may require specialized care. After addressing those concerns, it is also important to ensure that you feel comfortable with the pediatrician and that you are able to build a relationship of trust with them because you will likely be seeing them very regularly over the next few years. It may be important to you that they understand your parenting style or different values when it comes to health care, so ensure that everything that could influence how you feel about the health care that they will be providing to your children is addressed in the consultation. If you are looking for a first pediatrician for a newborn that is soon to come, it is highly recommended that you start that search while pregnant, no later than the second trimester, just to ensure that you will have a few months to find a good one.

Once the baby is born, your pediatrician should be available within 24 hours to provide a quick physical exam for the baby to check their temperature, take some measurements, check their heart rate and breathing, and assess their overall health. After 3 to 5 days, it is recommended that your newborn be taken in to see their pediatrician again for a more in-depth physical exam and to also discuss how the baby has been sleeping and eating. This is when you can address any initial questions or concerns you may have regarding pediatric care for your newborn and figure out what to expect for the following month and months to come. It is typical for at least one of the parents to be allowed to be with the newborn at all times to ensure that the baby is safe and that the parents are comfortable with the care being provided.

It can take some time to find a pediatrician that is conveniently located for you and your family and that you also feel is a good fit for your family, making it important to start the search for a pediatrician for a new baby as soon as possible. Many new parents will start the search for a pediatrician while they are still pregnant, at least 3 months ahead of the due date, but there is no harm in starting the search a little earlier if you require specialized care or have specific needs. Scheduling a consultation with your pediatrician before the baby is born is always recommended to ensure that you have time to establish a relationship with the pediatrician and make sure that you understand what to expect regarding pediatric care, especially in the early days following the birth of your newborn.

If you are looking for a pediatrician, visit us at Olivero Pediatrics. We will serve your child with the best care. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1243 Skytop Mountain Rd. Suite 4, Port Matilda, PA 16870. We serve patients from Port Matilda PA, Waddle PA, Julian PA, State College PA, Bellefonte PA, Pennsylvania Furnace PA, and Pine Grove Mills PA.