What Is a Pediatrician? (video)

Dania Lindenberg, MD, a pediatrician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Hillcrest discusses the important role a pediatrician plays in a child’s life, what to look for when picking a pediatrician and how often you should expect to take your child to see their pediatrician during his or her first year.

A pediatrician is a physician, a primary care physician, who cares for children from birth through the teenage years, through age 18, and works with the family to help support them mentally, physically and emotionally.

The most important factors to consider when choosing a pediatrician are: Is the office convenient for you? Do they take your insurance? But most importantly, do you get along with that person? Do they make you feel supported? Do you trust their professional and personal opinions? Is it a good match for you?

If you are somebody who likes to do your due diligence, meeting with a pediatrician weeks to months before your due date is helpful to see if that person really is a good match for you and your family. Advice from trusted friends and colleagues can be really helpful, as well.

Generally, pediatricians will want to see your baby within one to two days of their hospital discharge and then follow at least weekly till they’re back to birth weight and then maybe more frequently if there are other issues.

The first well-check starts at one month and then they’re quite frequent. There’s another one at two months and then they occur pretty frequently through the first year.