Pediatricians

Choosing a pediatrician can be one of the most stressful decisions for new parents. Why it was stressful for me was not so much on who we picked, but rather the thought of taking this little baby out of the safe hospital into the world, into our home, and then having to keep him alive! I wished to have gone straight from the hospital to the pediatrician.

Here is my experience navigating options in the NJ area.

When to Choose a Pediatrician

I was told to make an appointment within 3-5 days of the baby’s birth OR 1-3 days after being discharged.

At the hospital after Evan was born, my OBGYN asked me for the name of his pediatrician. I, of course, did not have one selected. My OBGYN recommended Tenafly Pediatrics, so I made an appointment.

Most people I know take their kids to the following two pediatricians:

• Tenafly Pediatrics (various locations: Tenafly, Clifton, Closter, Fort Lee, Glen Rock, Hoboken, Oakland, Paramus, Park Ridge) – Korean doctor available
  • Pros: Various locations with a Korean speaking doctor
  • Cons: Wait can be long depending on when you go and where
• Baker Health (various locations: Edgewater, Paramus, Moonachie, Clifton & NYC)
  • Pros: Access to a doctor for help via chat 24/7 (This is what makes the $17/month membership fee worth it!); no wait times ever with new, clean facilities
  • Cons: Membership fee of $17/month

After two appointments, we had transferred from Tenafly Pediatrics to Baker Health.

Why We Switched to a Baker Health

• Not having to wait (much) was a game changer. As soon as you arrive, you’ll be seated within a room in 5 minutes. Now, it takes us longer to be placed in a room, not because of the facility, but because Evan needs to walk in and make himself at home.
• This is just a me problem, but while at Tenafly Pediatrics, there was a “sick” and “well” side/corner dividing up kids/patients who were sick and not. It kinda messed with my brain and made me anxious exposing my newborn to airborne sickness!
• Whenever there was an insurance issue, they were always quick to offer help to submit the claims. I never had to call up insurance for our visits, which was a load off my shoulder.
• They have very competent people that can draw baby’s blood well!
  • Story time: Due to Evan’s allergic reaction to eggs, we went to both a dermatologist and allergist. The allergist had Evan take the skin test AND a blood test at 5/6 months. I obviously cried when the needle poked through his little skin and more than once because Lapcorp could not find his little vein. (I still have torturous memories from 2017 of when my mom had been “stabbed” 8 times while at the hospital due to her very thin veins). I could not stand Evan getting poked again. After the second, they recommended we go somewhere else for the blood draw. We somehow ended back at Baker Health and Dr. Baker said that his person is really good and that she can draw his blood. I really had no option but to say yes since Lapcorp couldn’t do it. The person was really GREAT and she did it in one shot. I was SO relieved and thankful.

Finding a provider you trust is priceless. What was the most important factor for you when choosing your baby’s doctor?

Here’s an example of one of our many chats with Baker Health: