Hey knottie mommies. . . . that means you Banana!

kaos16

We have the "meet and greet" with the pediatrician I think we'll be using for our baby in 4 hours.  Any must-ask questions I should go in armed with?

I know I want to ask about same-day appointments if there is an emergency, and about whether they have a way to contact the doctors or nurses with non-emergency questions (email or phone)

Thanks!

redwoodoriginal

Do they see patients who aren't vaccinated....

marsupalami

I didn't meet and greet because I was able to take my son to the same practice I was seen at younger but here are some things to keep in mind

Separate waiting rooms (well and sick)
Do they see unvaccinated kids (important if you are or are not to know)
Do they follow the cdc vaccination schedule, do they have their own, can you choose your own?
Will your child see the dr every time or someone from the practice who is available
Do they have a online database for medical records (love ours)

That is all I have right now

sunset30

I didn't do a meet and greet either but the questions above are important. Also, not sure if you plan to formula or breastfeed; but if BF, you can ask about resources / lactation consultants you'd have access to if you have problems or need help. 

kaos16

sunset30 said:

I didn't do a meet and greet either but the questions above are important. Also, not sure if you plan to formula or breastfeed; but if BF, you can ask about resources / lactation consultants you'd have access to if you have problems or need help. 

i have an appt with the lactation specialist next week actually!

banana468

:-)

Do they have lactation consultants?  Do they have breast pumps for rental?   
What are their hours?  Ex: Our pediatrician's office runs from 8 AM until 5 PM and then has after care hours from 5:30 until 8 PM on weeknights and noon until 8 on weekends.   I've had sick kids at night and weekends and I've never had to use a walk-in.

What is their vaccination policy?   Do they let you delay?  Do they see unvaccinated patients?  Will you see a Dr. or a nurse practitioner?   FWIW, I love the nurse practitioners at our office and have no issue with them seeing my children.

Do they have a separate area for sick vs. well kids?  Babies vs. others?  (Our pedi's office uses the same waiting area but there is a separate sitting area for infants.   I am fine with this.)

Do they have a nurse on call?   What are the on call hours?  How long will you wait for a phone call?  

Also, what is their hospital affiliation?  Ex: My pedi's office isn't affiliated with the hospital where I delivered so our kids saw the hospital pedi before getting checked out.   Then we saw the pedi a few days later.   If our kids get sick and require hospitalization, they'd most likely go to a hospital 35 min away vs. 15 min away due to their affiliation.