My Baby's Doctor: Vital parenting information from Eyewitness News

If you have a baby on the way, you'll need to choose a doctor to help you care for your little bundle of joy. Dr. Joe Matusic has a few pointers to make the big decision.

Expectant moms have much to prepare before bringing home a new baby. But outside of getting a nursery ready, the important task of finding a pediatrician is front and center on the "to do" list. Dr. Joe Matusic has been treating babies in the Charleston area since 1989. He says pediatrics is about prevention, and when you're choosing a doctor it comes down to a few major points.

Dr. Joe Matusic
Prevention, what are office hours, are phone calls relatively easy to get through, e-mail. A lot of physicians are using e-mails.

So Make an appointment to talk to the doctor in person. Another point to consider is whether your potential doctor will give you information to read. To take home with you. New parents are under a lot of stress, and about 90-percent of what you talk about with your doctor early on, you'll forget. So having take-home reference material will be helpful. Also, look for an office that seems pleasant to you, friendly office staff and clean waiting area.

Dr. Joe Matusic
You have a complicated life, you're working, your child's going to daycare and you have to pick them up, get to the physician... ask if the hours are conducive to you, do all the logistics fit?

Most importantly you have to choose someone who you can talk to. A good rapport and communication style is what you need to evaluate in your baby's doctor. But don't rule out information you may get from talking to friends.

Dr. Joe Matusic
It's good to talk to your friends to learn about the hours and how they work and do things. But ultimately you need to meet that person and see.

In larger practices you may see another doctor when your child is sick and end up switching to that doctor. That's ok. Physician's won't take that personally. They want you to have a positive experience and have a healthy baby no matter who you see for treatment.