11 Signs It May Be Time for a New Pediatrician

They Don’t Listen to Your Concerns

Whether you’re a new or experienced parent, you know your child better than anyone. When you’re concerned about an issue with your child, it’s normal for your pediatrician to not seem as concerned as you since they deal with a lot of the same concerns frequently.

However, what’s not okay is for your child’s pediatrician to dismiss or refuse to listen to your concerns. If you genuinely feel like there’s something wrong with your child and they need to be tested or checked out further, it’s your job as the parent to advocate for your child’s health. Your child’s pediatrician should take your concerns seriously, even if they don’t feel like there’s any reason to worry.

You Can’t Go to Them for Medical Advice

If you find yourself hesitating to go to your child’s pediatrician for medical advice, it may be time to find a new pediatrician. No parent wants to bother their child’s doctor over every minor thing, but you should always feel comfortable reaching out to their pediatrician when you need advice about a medical issue.

When you find yourself avoiding going to your child’s pediatrician or seeking medical advice elsewhere either because you don’t feel comfortable talking to your child’s pediatrician or you don’t trust their advice, it may be time to find a new doctor for your child.

You Can’t Get an Appointment for Your Sick Child

Even if you like your child’s pediatrician, you might have considered finding a new doctor if there’s a logistical problem with the clinic they work at. One of the biggest concerns for parents, especially parents of young children, is how long it takes to get an appointment.

Most pediatric offices have policies about getting sick kids in right away for an appointment. The average toddler or preschool-age child gets sick between 8 and 12 times per year. If you consistently find yourself taking your child to urgent care or a walk-in clinic when they’re sick, it may be time to find a new office or doctor.

They Consistently Make You Feel Bad

Being a new parent is difficult enough without your child’s pediatrician making you feel bad. If you consistently leave visits feeling down or ashamed about your parenting choices, it’s time to make a change.

Your pediatrician may not agree with every decision you make as a parent and that’s okay, but they shouldn’t make you feel bad or ashamed to talk about how you parent. You should have a pediatrician you can go to for advice. Even if their advice isn’t always what you want to hear, it should always be given respectfully.

They Belittle Your Experience as a Parent

Being a parent isn’t easy, no matter what stage of life you’re in. You deserve to have a compassionate pediatrician who tries to understand your situation and that you’re doing your best as a parent.

There’s nothing wrong with your child’s pediatrician trying to help you make the best decisions for your child, but if they go out of their way to belittle your experience as a parent or to blame you for bringing up your concerns, look for a more understanding pediatrician.

Your Child Is Uncomfortable with Them

Most young children don’t enjoy going to the doctor. No parent can expect their infant or toddler to enjoy a doctor’s visit, especially when there are shots involved. 

However, if your child seems to be uncomfortable with their pediatrician and they don’t warm up to them over time, it may be time to find a new doctor. This may be easier to detect when your child is old enough to express their feelings. If your child does tell you they feel uncomfortable with their doctor for any reason, it’s important to find a doctor they can trust.

The Office Staff Communicates Poorly

Sometimes the office staff at the doctor’s office is enough to drive you away. If the office staff at the pediatrician’s office communicates poorly or lacks professionalism, it’s okay to look for a new pediatrician.

The office staff can make a big difference in your overall experience when your child has an appointment. If they consistently cancel visits without communicating or lack communication in other areas, that’s enough of a reason to look for a new doctor. This is also true if the office staff is rude or makes you feel uncomfortable.

The Pediatrician Can’t Handle Your Child’s Health Needs

Sometimes you may not have a problem with your child’s pediatrician, but you may need to find a new doctor because they’re not equipped to deal with your child’s health needs. You can see specialists for certain conditions, but some pediatricians specialize in specific areas as well.

If you start to feel like it’s time to find a pediatrician who’s more equipped to deal with your child’s unique medical issues, don’t feel bad about switching. If your child’s pediatrician is someone you can trust, they’ll understand if you explain to them why you need to make a switch.

They Rush Through Every Visit

There’s no doubt doctors are busy and they see many patients in a day. It’s not always realistic for your child’s pediatrician to spend hours listening to every concern you have. However, if you feel like your child’s doctor rushes through every visit, it may be time to look for a new doctor.

A visit to your child’s pediatrician should leave enough time for you to ask the questions you need and get answers to your questions. If your child’s pediatrician doesn’t even stay in the room long enough to answer your questions, don’t feel bad about looking for a new doctor.

They Have Poor Bedside Manner

In an ideal world, every doctor would have an excellent bedside manner. Bedside manner is especially important with pediatricians since children are often afraid or anxious to go to the doctor. Your child’s pediatrician may be experienced, but if they are unfriendly or don’t do anything to try and make your child feel comfortable, that’s not a good sign.

Your child deserves to be treated with care and respect, but if your child’s pediatrician treats them like they’re just a number, it may be time to find a doctor who’s more sensitive and shows more concern for your child.

You Disagree On the Important Things

No matter what type of pediatrician you choose, there are going to be times when you don’t agree with them on a certain health issue. When you have a pediatrician you can trust, there are ways to navigate these disagreements with open communication. Ideally, both you and your pediatrician listen to each other with respect.

It’s okay if you don’t agree on everything, but if you disagree on the most important things, you don’t like their approach, or you have completely different philosophies when it comes to your child’s health, your child may benefit from a doctor who you can see more eye to eye with.