As a new parent, you'll certainly want only the best possible care for your baby. One of the best ways to ensure that you've got the best medical care available in your area is to chat with other parents to find out as much as you can about the pediatricians and children's hospital nearest you. Let these more experienced parents tell you everything they know — good, bad and ugly — about all of the pediatricians that may be on your list.

In some cases, you may find that the best doctors are located a little bit farther away than some others, but in the end, what matters most is not how close they are to your home, but how accessible they are to you when you need them.

It might also be a good idea to do a little bit of research on the Internet. By conducting your own “background check” on specific pediatricians, you may well ensure that you and your baby will get the best pediatrician in town.