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Finding the ideal pediatrician might be one of the most important decisions you'll ever make concerning your child. As a dad, you might be compelled at first to find the pediatrician with the most attractive nursing staff. While it might be the best choice for you, it might not be best for your child.

If you've never had to choose a pediatrician, this can be an overwhelming and frustrating experience. You want to make sure you pick one that will treat your child with compassion. But you also want to make sure the one you choose has enough experience to treat anything that ails your child. On the other hand, you probably don't want to choose a pediatrician who is so old that his hand shakes as he's putting the thermometer in your child's mouth. Here are some of the more important things to consider when choosing a pediatrician for your child to help you make the right decision.

1. Start early - You don't want to wait until you have an emergency with your young child before you start looking for a pediatrician. When you do, you might end up with choosing somebody based solely on the size of their ad in the Yellow Pages. This is no way to find the best doctor for your toddler. Before the infant is born, start doing your research and asking around about doctors in your area. Also check out physician rating/info sites like HealthGrades and RevolutionHealth. This way, you won't need to rush through the process and you can feel more comfortable knowing you've taken the proper amount of time needed.
   
   
2. Make the decision together - You shouldn't just make this decision with your wife only because you're afraid of the "I told you so" for making the wrong choice. When both parents are involved, choosing a pediatrician is less stressful. Your wife might have questions that you didn't think of and vice versa. She can also ask her friends about their pediatrician to see if they are satisfied with their choice and why.
   
   
3. Make a list and check it twice - You'll likely start out with a long list of possible pediatricians, but you'll narrow it down as the process moves along. Decide what's important to you in a child doctor. Do you want a young doctor with fresh ideas or an older one with experience? Keep in mind that older pediatricians may be retiring before your child outgrows their services, too. Are you willing to travel to a different city for doctor visits or do you want one with an office around the corner? These and other questions will likely narrow your list down quickly and you'll find the pediatricians that fit your specific criteria.
   
   
4. Be sexist and choose a gender - Most boys will be more comfortable with a male doctor while most girls will be more comfortable with a female doctor. Consider this when choosing a pediatrician. If you have a mix of boys and girls, maybe you can find a pediatrician that has a doctor from both genders so you only have to make one trip each time.
   
   
5. Visit their office - First impressions are often the best impression you'll get of a pediatrician. That's why visiting their office is so important. Take note of the cleanliness of the facility and the friendliness of the nurses and staff. Which pediatricians have two waiting rooms - one for sick children and one for healthy children that are simply there for checkups? You don't want your kids playing with the same toys that sick children have just sneezed all over, so two waiting rooms are a definite bonus.
   
   
6. Interview the possibilities - Potential pediatricians should be accommodating for parents who want to schedule an interview. They should understand that this is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make about your child's future and that you want to ensure that it's the right decision. Make a list of questions before the interview so you don't forget anything. Don't be afraid to ask them as many questions as it takes for you to feel satisfied. If they won't take the time to sit down and talk with you, though, that's a potential red flag and you might want to consider disqualifying them from your list completely.

Choosing a pediatrician isn't an easy task. In fact, it might be one of the most difficult decisions you'll make about your child's health. But following these suggestions can make the entire process feel less overwhelming and help lead you to the right person for the job. Don't be afraid to take as much time as you need to in order to make the right decision. And don't be afraid to reevaluate your decision if red flags occur during your toddler's childhood. A dad's instinct is unmistakable and you should listen to it at all times.