https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 16 May 2026 14:08:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990679 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 14:23:40 +0000 lamariniere 990679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm terrible, i honestly didn't do any research. When my son was a newborn we went to a hospital practice (where my Ob/gyn's office was located) and they just gave us a default pedi, and I really liked her. </p> <p>When we moved abroad, I need and English speaking one and several people recommended the same guy, a trilingual pediatrician who just happens to work in the building next door to our apartment. He's fantastic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990396 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 13:05:42 +0000 lavender 990396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I googled/ looked in our insurances list. Went in for a meet and greet and that's how we picked ours. 16 months later and we still love ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990350 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:51:39 +0000 Grace 990350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB recommended the pediatician that her sister uses. I looked her up on ratemd and she had a great score. I figure if i don't end up liking her, I'll switch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990338 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:46:59 +0000 betsyboop 990338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We also went through friend referrals. If you find a doctor you really like, you might want to ask specifically about the care provider's insurance policy even if they're outside of your network. This happened to us - we decided to use a pediatrician outside of our network and were prepared to pay on our own, but for whatever reason, our insurance covered all of the visits! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990335 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:46:24 +0000 Running Elley 990335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I asked my cousin (who is a nurse) who her pediatrician was. She highly recommended her (my cousin has 2 children). I then researched her online and found many good reviews. So we went with her and decided that if we had any problems we'd have no qualms about switching at any time. Luckily we love her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990319 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:40:44 +0000 Boheme 990319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I asked friends, and looked at things that were important to me - separate well and sick waiting areas, Saturday and Sunday hours, and a nearby location. I also knew the one we had in mind has two small children, so I knew he'd be up to date on health info. I noticed they had a lot of philosophies posted on their website that we agree with so we went for it. I LOVE our pedi! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990279 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:28:31 +0000 allison 990279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually used a family doctor during my pregnancy, and LO continues to see her now. But I really like that she has two young kids, because I feel like that keeps her more informed about current health information, and she's really personable with LO. And I had 8 months to get to know her before he was here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990236 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:13:28 +0000 edelweiss 990236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i wanted my pedi's office to be very close by, so i googled and yelped based on our home address. i had it narrowed down to 2 reputable places, and my coworker had used one of them so i just chose that one. it's 5 minutes away, which i appreciate.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990199 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:05:43 +0000 PurplePeony 990199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not as far along, but I had the same question. Also, when did people usually choose one? I feel like having an end-of-the-year baby complicates things because DH and I each have our own insurance through our respective employers, and we won't be able to compare premiums for next year's plans until open season starts. The doctors covered by our insurances are completely different, so we can't even look for one who overlaps! It stresses me out to think of being a few weeks out and not having a solid choice yet...but it actually makes me feel better that some of you are toward the end and haven't decided on one yet!</p> <p>Another question, if @Mrs Hedgehog doesn't mind the threadjack -- my DH's coworker's sister is a pediatrician and by all accounts is awesome, but she only works half-time and I've seen mixed reviews of other doctors in the practice. Would anyone still go with that practice, knowing the baby would probably end up seeing other doctors now and then? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990139 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:46:28 +0000 lovehoneybee 990139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started searching for offices in our town (we're a small town, so the selection here is limited) on our health insurance website. I jotted down a couple of names at a satellite clinic through the same hospital that I received my prenatal care/delivered at, and called and asked to meet them. The receptionist gushed about the first one I asked about, said she wished she could be her doctor, etc, and set up a time that I could meet her. </p> <p>I went in with a list of questions regarding things like her feelings on vaccinations/vaccine schedules, circumcision, sleep training, feeding, and the use of antibiotics for normal things like ear infections. At the time we had a general idea of how we wanted to parent, and if her opinions/feelings on topics that were very important to me were starkly different from mine I would have moved on and talked to someone else. But I LOVED her. She instantly put me, and later DH (and now DS) at ease. </p> <p>But while I love her I don't particularly like her practice, though. It's a perfectly ordinary clinic, but when I imagined a pedi's office I pictured something a bit brighter. With toys. Especially those ones with the beads on the wire tracks. They have some books and some small decals up on the wall, but that's it. And there's no separation of well/sick baby. You should think about whether or not things like that are important to you. </p> <p>But as I said, we're in a small town, and a good amount of the pedi's that work here work there so our options are limited. It's within walking distance of our house, and that's important since most days I'm without a car (i.e. we can't go to other town). And we do LOVE Dr. Heidi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990130 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:43:11 +0000 rachiecakes 990130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I asked my OB/MW's office who they suggested a got a few names/offices.<br /> The first office I called and was put on hold, they had a wait to meet with the pedi. The reviews I read online didn't wow me.<br /> The second office I called they were booked but were super-friendly and said the pedi could squeeze me in after hours. The reviews online were fantastic. Met with him and it was just perfect. Later we found that a few of our coworkers brought their kids there and loved him. </p> <p>I would ask coworkers, ask your doctor or midwives office for a referral. Get a list of the things that are important to you - how supportive are they of breastfeeding and working with a LC, if that's important to you, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990115 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:38:58 +0000 looch 990115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted a practice with a lot of doctors since our last experience sucked. </p> <p>I researched the practice and settled on one that was in the town we were moving to. I called and asked who was accepting new patients and we were offered a choice of a few docs. I didn't do any interviews or anything and it's turned out to be the best decision I've made.</p> <p>We also have the option to do the walk in clinic, which is part of the practice, so we can just walk in on weekends or whenever we can't get in to see our doc. LOVE that option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990095 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:33:34 +0000 MamaMoose 990095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would take the list of docs approved by your HMO to your OB and ask which practice they would recommend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990087 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:30:46 +0000 GrapeCrush 990087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We picked the same pedi as my nephew goes to. My brother said they really liked her, so we decided to go with her as well and love her too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-990047 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:22:07 +0000 Alivoo01 990047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We asked all our friends who their pedi is and their opinions on them. We chose our the week before I knew I was being induced (36 weeks), just out of rush so we didn't get to meet with him prior to DS's birth. Jury is still out if we like him or not. He's definitely spunky! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989964 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:03:02 +0000 MrsRoo 989964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I waited until about 37 weeks and then panicked! My insurance is so limited, so DH and I posted a plea to our friends for recs on Facebook. Then I had my insurance website open and narrowed it down to who was covered, then went through and read reviews and narrowed it down further based on those and what we wanted out of a pedi (not a huge practice, a more personal approach, close to home, etc). We really love ours now! Good luck :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989808 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 10:18:36 +0000 cascademom 989808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a list of two practices given to us by my OB. I asked some friends who have their peds with one of the doctors in the practice. When I made my first call to the practice, our peds' nurse suggested him. We interviewed him and liked him. So, when it came time for delivery, I just had to mention who I wanted as our peds since I went with the previous one given to us by our friend. We've been with our peds ever since. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989742 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 10:02:22 +0000 blackbird 989742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Friend referral. Didn't even meet her before. Figured if it didn't work, I would only know after we were knee-deep in baby issues. The office lady gave me a lot of info ahead of time (well baby visits are kept separate from sick baby visits, etc) but I didn't really feel strongly about things I wanted in a ped, either...just that a LOT of the nurses at a local hospital use her, so I know she has to be good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989730 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:59:36 +0000 2PeasinaPod 989730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We received a recommendation from my OB's office and a ton of our friends use the same pediatrician practice. We also did a ton of research on the doctors prior to settling on them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989727 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:57:42 +0000 JessKas 989727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the same boat right now. I asked my midwife for recommendations, and I'm researching those. I also plan on posting the question to a local mother's group I joined. None of my friends have kids yet, so I can't go that route. </p> <p>I think it's important to know what you want from a pediatrician when you start your search. For instance, ask about wait times, how easy it is to get a day of appointment, etc. I'm interested in delayed vaccination, so that plays a big part of what I plan on asking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989657 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:35:33 +0000 anbanan15 989657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He was one of my pedi's :) </p> <p>The practice itself had always been known as one of the best in the area, so it wasn't really a question. They did offer a meet and greet which we went to and not much had changed since I was a child, except some of the doctors. The pedi I wanted for DS, which was mine and my brothers, was closed to new patients (he's getting older), but he eventually agreed to take on DS's case and is now his primary pedi. He will also be taking on this baby since DS is an established patient with him.</p> <p>If you don't have a clue where to start, I would start by reading reviews of various practices and pedi's in your area online, talking to other parents for their recommendations and then seeing if the practices you are interested in offer a meet and greet or are will to sit down with you and go over their policies etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989656 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:35:18 +0000 pelikila 989656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started with online research and referrals from friends and co-workers. Then we narrowed that down to 3 options and set up meet-n-greets with the top two. If you end up picking someone you don't agree with down the road, you at least have some backup options in the wings based on your search. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989647 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:32:28 +0000 dolphin 989647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Referral from a friend and we also met with her to make sure we liked her. I went online and googled a list of questions we needed to ask. But really, I think the meet and greet was more so I can get a sense of her personality and make sure there was good vibe. I would ask your ob/gyn for referrals and start from there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989628 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:26:11 +0000 Rubies 989628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We found ours by accident. Prior to giving birth, I had no idea about a ped but when LO was born she was tongue-tied and the hospital on-call ped was the one who was going to look after LO and in speaking to him (we were in and out of the hospital several days in a row due to LO's dropping weight and my inability to BF properly for the first week), he mentioned his practice and that he and his clinic were accepting new patients. He's great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989594 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:16:49 +0000 mrsjyw 989594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we got a referral from my cousin and one from our ob. we met with my cousin's referral pre-baby and LOVED him and never saw the other pedi.</p> <p>ds is 8.5 months and we still LOVE our pedi. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989593 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:16:34 +0000 Adira 989593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB actually suggested her pedi and I just went with it! And now that I've seen her a few times, I LOVE her and am glad I did!</p> <p>You could always do some research on-line and then maybe interview some. But I'm not really sure how to go about doing that since I didn't do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989589 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:15:34 +0000 autumnlove 989589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went online and read bios when I was in the hospital for my induction! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-diddo-you-choose-a-pedi#post-989584 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:14:36 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 989584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have no idea where to even begin. We are 37 weeks and haven't begun looking for a pedi because we are just so lost. I have heard so many people say that we need to just pick somebody and set up a meeting but I have no idea what to ask! And as far as referrals from friends, we have an HMO so we are limited on who we can use. </p> <p>How did you find and choose a pedi and when? </p>