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If you're like many parents-to-be, you spent hours shopping for the best strollers, crib, and diaper bag. Now, what about shopping for a pediatrician?

This health professional should be someone you can rely on in those bewildering first few weeks and months, so choose carefully. Ideally, start your search in the beginning of your third trimester; if you wait until the end of your pregnancy and end up delivering early, you'll have to scramble to find one.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a pediatrician (rather than a general or family practitioner) because these doctors receive extra training in the special health needs of children, from babies through...

If you're like many parents-to-be, you spent hours shopping for the best strollers, crib, and diaper bag. Now, what about shopping for a pediatrician?

This health professional should be someone you can rely on in those bewildering first few weeks and months, so choose carefully. Ideally, start your search in the beginning of your third trimester; if you wait until the end of your pregnancy and end up delivering early, you'll have to scramble to find one.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a pediatrician (rather than a general or family practitioner) because these doctors receive extra training in the special health needs of children, from babies through teens. Pediatricians with the initials F.A.A.P. after their name have also passed a rigorous exam qualifying them for fellowship in the AAP, an added measure of comfort for some parents.

That said, many families feel perfectly comfortable with the family doctor who treats their whole family, or with a pediatric nurse practitioner or other healthcare provider. Be sure that whatever type of professional you choose, he or she is someone you feel comfortable with -- you'll likely be in his or her office often during that first year.

As noted pediatrician Dr. William Sears says, this professional will hopefully become a trusted extension of your family, there from the first hospital visit with your newborn, through ear infections, immunizations, and even teenage woes.

The How-to-Choose Checklist

• Ask for recommendations from friends and family, but also from your own doctor, the other women in your childbirth class, and so on. Follow up on pediatricians who are covered by your insurance and are close by. Also ask why someone loves her doc. If it's because he's quick with exams, and you'd prefer someone who spends more time (or vice versa), move on.
• Make appointments to visit your top two or three candidates. Call and politely request a short meeting; most will do this for free. Think of it as speed-dating for doctors -- a few well-placed questions about top parenting concerns (such as whether or not you plan to breastfeed; you'll need support either way) will give you that yay-or-nay gut feeling.
• Pay attention to details: Is the office clean and child-friendly? Does the doctor have partners you'll see as well? Is the staff friendly and helpful? What are the hours, and who will help you in an emergency?

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