Published: October 28, 2025
By: Cheryl Maguire
Interview Questions, Red Flags and More Tips
Being pregnant with a new baby is exciting and a little scary. Before your baby is born, you may feel overwhelmed with information and decisions you need todoctor is one of the most important decisions you must make as a parent.
“Your child’s pediatrician helps nurture and guide your child into adulthood,” says pediatrician Dr. Ruby Day. “Once you find a practice that seems right for your family, you should schedule a ‘getting to know you’ face-to-face visit.”
As the mom of three kids, I remember this process well. Before my twins were born, I met with a pediatrician and had a list of questions. Many people in my community used this doctor, and he answered all of my questions, but I didn’t particularly like his personality. “When choosing a pediatrician, it’s important to trust your instinct,” says Dr. Dey
I overlooked this “red flag,” ignoring my intuition, and I decided to use him anyway. About six months later, my kids had two different issues he didn’t address, so I switched doctors. Fortunately, my kids are all fine and thriving, but hopefully, you won’t have to switch doctors like I did.
“If you don’t click with your pediatrician, then you should feel free to change. Don’t feel bad since it happens all the time. Most commonly for insurance reasons, but sometimes for personality reasons,” says Virginia Keane, MD.
Here are some tips to help you find a doctor who is a good fit for you and your family.
Ask for Recommendations
“Ask around at your prenatal group, any nurses you know, people at your house of worship or clubs,” says Dr. Keane. She explains that people enjoy discussing their pediatricians and will typically guide you to the right candidates for interviews.
If you are a new mom in a new community like I was, it may be difficult to find recommendations. Dr. Keane suggests asking your insurance company or checking the website for the American Academy of Pediatrics to find pediatricians by location.
Even though your baby isn’t born yet, you can join local mom groups, either online or in person. Asking these moms for recommendations on doctors is a great way to start your search. I personally reached out to people at the gym I attended and friends I worked with at the time. You can also ask your primary care physician and OB-GYN for their suggestions. Be sure to interview at least three different doctors to explore a broad range of options.
Location
Hopefully, your child will not need to visit the doctor often, but when your child is sick or hurt you don’t want to have to travel a long distance. One time my son was having trouble breathing due to pneumonia. My doctor’s office was only five minutes away, and they told me to bring him in immediately, and they gave him a cortisone shot. He was breathing better within minutes, and I was grateful the practice was close to our house.
Experience
This is a tough one because I’ve dealt with experienced doctors who were so rigid that they misdiagnosed an issue. I’ve also seen new doctors who made mistakes due to their inexperience. But Dr. Dey says that being new to the field might not matter. “Keep in mind that if a pediatrician doesn’t have much experience, they can consult with their more experienced peers if needed,” she says.
You might not be concerned about the length of time they have been practicing, but you can ensure they are board-certified as a pediatrician by The American Board of Pediatrics.
“Experience is helpful, but not essential. Young pediatricians enter the practice with enthusiasm and new scientific knowledge that can overcome a lack of experience, especially if there is a more senior doctor in the practice to whom they can turn to with questions,” says Dr. Keane.
Personality
The personality of a doctor is paramount when selecting a pediatrician. “Personality is a factor in choosing a pediatrician. If you don’t click, then it’s probably not going to work. This is a person a parent needs to trust with their most precious, beloved child,” says Dr. Keane.
As a new parent, you will have tons of questions and concerns. You should feel as though you can trust your doctor to communicate with you effectively and to listen to your concerns. If you get a sense, like I did, that your personality doesn’t mesh with the doctor’s, then pay attention to that red flag and find a doctor that is a good fit. My kid’s current pediatrician is one of the best doctors I’ve ever encountered. She is patient, understanding and always listens to my concerns.
“I would suggest that parents go with their gut feeling about what their perception is of any given provider,” says Dr. Brad Harris.
Making the Decision
Now that you have gathered information you need to decide which doctor is the best to treat your child. Hopefully, you were able to interview at least three different doctors at various practices. If you felt like all the doctors answered your questions appropriately, then it comes down to the doctor that you feel would communicate well with you and listen to your concerns. “Parents and providers need to have a good chemistry,” says Dr. Harris. If you end up having a negative experience, then remember it is easy to switch to another doctor.
“A good pediatric practice will function as a medical home, providing care that is comprehensive, patient-centered, coordinated, easy to access and committed to quality and safety,” says Dr. Keane.
Dr Dey agrees, “At the end of the day, you need to love your pediatrician. If you don’t, keep looking.”
Red Flags
Dr. Keane says that you should be on the lookout for these possible red flags: short hours, multiple offices, hard to get through to on the phone, loss of license, even if they got it back. Dr. Harris also says to be wary of pediatricians who are not willing to answer your questions or if they cut you off when you speak. And, Dr. Dey says, “A pediatrician is a good fit if you can engage in open, honest conversations about your child’s health.”
Interview Questions
Before you select a doctor, set up an interview to ask them questions so you can get a sense of their personality and values. While you are there, you should pay attention to the waiting room, office and patients. Is it clean? Are there a lot of people waiting? Here are some questions you could ask:
- Why did you decide to be a pediatrician?
- What hours do you work?
- Am I able to see you the same day for a sick visit?
- What if I need to see a specialist? How is that handled?
- What hospitals are you affiliated with?
- What if I disagree with your diagnosis? How would you respond?
- What is your philosophy about vaccines, breastfeeding, antibiotics, counseling, discipline and medications?
- What are the practice’s policies towards vaccination? What is the availability of sick visit appointments? How are the after-hours calls handled – is there an answering service or nurse call line?
- What are the cancellation and no-show policies?
- Cheryl Maguire, the mother of twins and a daughter, encourages parents to ask a lot of questions when choosing the perfect pediatrician for their family.Choosing a pediatrician for your baby