Guide to a Successful Visit with Your Child’s Pediatrician

Bringing your child to see their pediatrician for the first time can be a scary, yet exciting new experience. To ease the anticipation for your upcoming visit, it’s better to come prepared with all the paperwork, information, and questions you may have for your provider. Whether it’s an inquiry regarding your child’s development or a general medical question, you’ll want to take advantage of your time there by having everything you need readily available. Read on for a guide to a successful visit with your child’s pediatrician. 

Confirming Your Appointment Information

While this may sound like a given, confirming your child’s appointment time, the location of the medical office, and the pediatrician’s name before coming in can really minimize wait times upon arrival. Typically, upon arrival, you’ll be met with a receptionist at the front desk who will check you in. If you have all of your information readily available, this will be a smooth and easy process. 

You’ll also want to avoid travelling to the wrong location if your clinic or hospital has multiple campuses or locations. An easy way to confirm the correct address for your appointment is by searching, ‘Pediatrics Hayden, ID‘ or with your location, and finding the listing for your specific provider. 

Providing Insurance Information

If your family has insurance, having that information handy will make your job significantly easier. Generally, insurance companies provide families with a handy medical card with all the information your practice’s office will need to file a claim. However, if you weren’t provided a card or misplaced it, writing down relevant information, such as the insurance provider, policy number, and information of the insured, will streamline the process significantly. 

Bring Snacks or Toys

Depending on your medical practice, waiting to be called back for your child’s appointment by their pediatrician can take longer than you may be expecting. While some practices provide toys or a playroom to wait in, it’s better to be prepared with any toys or snacks your child may need during the wait. 

Preparing Questions

While no one has a ‘Guide to Parenting 101’, pediatricians can be a great resource for any questions or concerns you may have covering a plethora of topics. Common questions, such as, “When should I schedule appointments for immunizations?” or “Does my child weigh the normal amount for his age?” can easily be answered or discussed with your pediatrician during your child’s appointments. 

Be Honest

And last, but certainly not least: be honest. Being honest with your child’s pediatrician is an essential key to having a successful visit. When your pediatrician discusses your child’s regular eating behaviors, let them know about your child’s pickiness rather than covering it up with only ‘happy’ news. Your child’s pediatrician is on your time to help your child grow and develop as happy and healthy as possible. Having those tough, hard-to-hear conversations can help your child in the long run, and, in severe cases, change their life for the better. 

Every pediatrician is different, offering various services and specializing in different areas. However, every pediatrician chose their job to help children, to take care of children, and to partner with parents in the growth of children. Learning to be prepared with what you need, and learning to trust your child’s medical home is the first step in collaborating to ensure your child grows to their full potential.