Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician, From Your Local Crunchy Momma

Hey there, expectant momma! If you're like me then you like to get to know the medical professionals who will be weighing in on your little one's care. And that first year can feel so overwhelming it's important to find a pediatrician that you connect with. 

We also have a tough time *sometimes* of finding our way to a pediatrician who is in support of our "crunchy" ways. I'm not talking anything drastic! Just a pediatrician who is respectful of our parental rights to choose what's best for our kiddo and maybe actually be a little "crunchy" themselves! So, here's my personal list of questions to ask your pediatrician. Let me know if you think of any additional ones. We all suffer from on-going pregnancy brain, right?

1) How long have you been in practice?

2)Do you have any other trainings/certifications? (ie cranio-sacral work)

3)How soon after birth do you suggest newborns be seen by you?

3)What is your philosophy on breastfeeding? Feeding on demand? Supplementing? 

4)Do you offer alternative medicinal options when children are ill?

5)Are you part of a group practice? How many other pediatricians are in your practice? Will the care be similar from the other doctors if you are unavailable? Do we have the option to meet everyone in the practice?

6) What is the office policy on vaccine choice?

7) How often are well visits? Is this schedule the same for those choosing an alternative vaccine schedule? 

8) Is there an after-hours number to call with questions?

9) Do you make house calls?

10) How are emergency visits handled? Are we able to schedule a last minute appointment?

11) If we are leaving our son intact, meaning not circumcising him, how up-to-date are you on intact care?

12) Are you familiar with or do you encourage holistic approaches to common colds/ailments?

13) What hospital are you affiliated with?

14) What kind of tests are run in house?

15) What can I expect during routine well-baby checks?

There are always more questions you can bring to the table when interviewing your potential pediatrician but these will give you a nice feel for where they lie in their practice. If you have other questions that you always ask, please share them with us below. We are all out here trying to make the best, informed decisions for our family and it’s great to lean on one another.