Pediatric care is one of the most important things to think about when raising a child. It’s essential to keep kids healthy and grow up well, so it’s not something that should be taken lightly or made as a snap decision. There are a lot of elements to finding a good pediatrician, and can seem stressful since children’s physical care is entrusted to them. Many parents struggle with finding a pediatrician, but here are three super simple tips to get you started.

1. Look for Pediatricians
The first thing any parent should do when trying to find pediatric care for his or her children should do is to do an extensive search for the pediatricians in the area. Using the internet to find pediatric medical centers close to home is helpful, since it means that travel should not become a problem. Parents should also look for specialties or anything that sets clinics apart.

2. Make a List
After choosing a few, the next step is to make a list of pediatricians. The list should be limited to doctors in the area and who are qualified to treat whatever illnesses a child might have — for example a doctor who has experience dealing with nutrition might be better equipped to treat an obese child or one with diabetes. Also make note of certifications and awards.

3. Conduct Some Interviews
After the list has been made, interviews need to be conducted. Parents should always ask doctors about their philosophy of care and their thoughts on hot button issues like breast feeding, vaccinations, and circumcision. Parents should also ask who will care for their children in the event the regular physician is out of the office and what the physician’s general availability is.

Do you have any tips for finding a pediatric physician? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. More can be found here.