# Choosing a pediatrician for your baby > Choose a pediatrician in the last few months of pregnancy, since the first checkup often comes a few days after you leave the hospital. Check that they’re in your insurance network, close by, with workable hours, an after-hours line, and accepting new patients. Meet them if you can and ask how nights and sick visits work. Plan for regular well-child visits and vaccines. Community health centers and the Vaccines for Children program help families without insurance. - URL: https://explained.page/choosing-a-pediatrician - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=choosing-a-pediatrician ## Step by step 1. **Choosing your baby’s doctor?** Pick a pediatrician before the baby arrives if you can. Your baby will see them often in the first year. 2. **Start in the last few months of pregnancy.** The first checkup often happens a few days after you leave the hospital, so it helps to have someone ready. 3. **Check the practical things.** In your insurance network, close to home, hours that work for you, an after-hours line, and accepting new patients. 4. **Meet them if you can.** Many practices offer a short “meet and greet.” Ask who answers calls at night, how sick visits work, and how they communicate. 5. **Plan for regular checkups.** Babies have many well-child visits in the first two years, with growth checks and vaccines. Keep a record of each visit. 6. **No insurance or Medicaid? There’s still help.** Community health centers see children, and the Vaccines for Children program provides free vaccines for eligible kids. ## Checklist - Choose before the baby arrives - Check the insurance network - Check location, hours and after-hours line - Meet them if you can - Plan well-child visits and vaccines - Ask about free vaccine programs ## When to choose Ideally in the last few months of pregnancy. Your baby’s first checkup usually happens within a few days of leaving the hospital. ## What to check - In your insurance network (or accepts Medicaid/CHIP if you have it). - Location and office hours that fit your life. - An after-hours phone line or nurse line. - Accepting new patients. - Pediatrician, family doctor, or nurse practitioner: all can care for babies. ## Meet and greet Many practices offer a short visit. Ask: - Who answers calls at night and on weekends? - How quickly can I get a sick visit? - How do you communicate (portal, phone)? - What’s your approach to vaccines and feeding support? ## Well-child visits Babies have many checkups in the first two years for growth, development and vaccines. Keep a record and bring questions. ## Without insurance Community health centers see children regardless of insurance. The Vaccines for Children program provides free vaccines for eligible kids. Check Medicaid and CHIP too. ## Common questions ### Can a family doctor see my baby instead of a pediatrician? Yes. Family medicine doctors and nurse practitioners also care for babies. Choose someone you trust and can reach. Source page: https://explained.page/choosing-a-pediatrician/questions/can-a-family-doctor-see-my-baby-instead-of-a-pediatrician ### Can I switch pediatricians later? Yes. Ask for your child’s records to be sent to the new office. Source page: https://explained.page/choosing-a-pediatrician/questions/can-i-switch-pediatricians-later ### When should I choose a pediatrician? Ideally in the last few months of pregnancy, so you’re ready for the first checkup a few days after birth. Source page: https://explained.page/choosing-a-pediatrician/questions/when-should-i-choose-a-pediatrician ### What questions should I ask a pediatrician? Who answers after-hours calls, how fast you can get sick visits, how they communicate, and their approach to vaccines and feeding support. Source page: https://explained.page/choosing-a-pediatrician/questions/what-questions-should-i-ask-a-pediatrician ### How often does a baby see the doctor in the first year? Many times: usually within days of birth, then at about 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months, depending on your doctor’s schedule. Source page: https://explained.page/choosing-a-pediatrician/questions/how-often-does-a-baby-see-the-doctor-in-the-first-year ### What is the Vaccines for Children program? A federal program that provides free vaccines to eligible children, such as those on Medicaid, uninsured or underinsured. Source page: https://explained.page/choosing-a-pediatrician/questions/what-is-the-vaccines-for-children-program ### Do I need a pediatrician before leaving the hospital? Hospitals usually ask who your baby’s doctor will be, so having one chosen makes discharge smoother. Source page: https://explained.page/choosing-a-pediatrician/questions/do-i-need-a-pediatrician-before-leaving-the-hospital ### Can I see a pediatrician without insurance? Yes. Community health centers see children regardless of insurance, and many offices offer self-pay rates. Source page: https://explained.page/choosing-a-pediatrician/questions/can-i-see-a-pediatrician-without-insurance ## Official sources - [CDC: Vaccines for Children program](https://www.cdc.gov/) - [InsureKidsNow.gov: find a doctor](https://www.insurekidsnow.gov/) - [HRSA: find a health center](https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "pediatrician accepting new patients [your insurance]" - "Vaccines for Children provider near me" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.