Pediatricians: The Right Doctor for Children

It is very important to choose the right pediatrician for your baby. To get things right, you should start looking for a good pediatrician well before your baby's due date. You can ask your gynecologist, friends, or family members to recommend qualified and experienced pediatricians. You can also make inquiries at the public affairs department at the nearest hospitals, or browse the referral database of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Once you've found some reputable pediatricians, you'll need to check their credentials. Verify if these pediatricians are certified by board of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and if they're members of this organization. Members of the AAP will have an “FAAP” added after their names. This distinction means that the pediatrician has met established standards for providing excellent childcare.

Many parents entrust their children to pediatricians because these medical practitioners can expertly diagnose and treat common childhood illnesses. As pediatricians specialize in treating infants and young children, they understand that children need specialized care. Some parents, however, choose to entrust the medical needs of their newborn children to family physicians . This is not an uncommon choice and has its merits—the family physician will be familiar with the medical history of the family, after all. Whether you choose a pediatrician or family physician, always ensure that your doctor can be reached easily during emergencies.