How did you guys choose a pediatrician?

As the other ladies mentioned, researching things like office hours, insurance, and staff friendliness helps. If you can see the office and meet with the doctor before hand that is also good. I also knew Emad was going to be circumcised, and although typically it is done a few days after birth in our faith, I knew it would be a few months til we travelled to Morocco so I looked for a pediatrician that had hospital priveledges at the hospital I delivered at and would do the circumcision in the hospital. I ended up going with a doctor off a friends recommendation, new practice, new docs, good hours, upscale which made me feel *good* as a first time Mommy. After the first few visits I realized I did not like it. They seemed to have billing/pricing issues, even though they had several doctors in the practice, I assumed at least for his well visits he would see the pedi I picked, not the case. I then checked with other Mommy's who used the nursing room at my job and they recommended the pedi office I now go to. There are 7 doctors in the practice, but we have with the exception of ONE time, yesterday, always seen Dr. Smith. He says really with being able to see Emad at each visit he is better prepared to diagnosis issues, check for milestones, development, etc whereas they may not be as apparent if he sees a different doctor in the practice all the time. But, if needed, we could on emergency basis. He is so awesome. I have his email, cell, and office number and he is prompt in returning calls. His staff is great toO! He takes his time, I can get same day appts, and he respects my personal and religious beliefs with regards to my son and his treatment. He is actually opening his own practice, across town, but I am switching to stay with him.

 Since I'm new to the area that I live, with no friends with children- I just googled my area and did research. I found an office with 4 branches within the area, and 12 peditricians that work within the 4 offices. I also liked that they were open after hours from 6:30pm-9pm, and had saturday visits. I did an unannouced visit to the office to inquire and see how it was. I picked it right then and there with the reviews I read, the info I saw, and  when I saw two seperate entrances "Sick entrance" & "Well Entrance". Good Luck, and if you dont like the first one you choose, you dont have to stay with them.