Just as you found a health care provider for yourself, you will want to find the very best pediatrician to care for your baby. It is more than likely that your baby's pediatrician will be the one you turn to for advice on feeding, diapering, and child development, as well as medical care. So it is important to find a health care provider who you feel comfortable with and with whom you can ask questions and discuss your child's care.

Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician

After your baby is born, she will need to be checked out and cared for by a health care provider. If you have other children, you may have already established a relationship with a pediatrician. If not, you will need to seek out a reliable provider who will work with you to care for your child's health.

Ask friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. And before your baby is born, make an appointment with the top candidates to discuss your baby's care. In addition to questions about fees, scheduling, and emergency contacts, here are some questions you might want to ask to determine how well a pediatrician's eco-savvy views align with your own.

• What is your opinion on the importance of vaccinations?

  Find out what the pediatrician thinks about vaccines and the schedule through which they are typically administered.

• How do you recommend treating ear infections?

  Ear infections are a common ailment among babies. In the past, pediatricians treated every ear infection with a prescription for antibiotics. But today, health care providers think differently. According to the American Academy of Pediatricians, most ear infections will actually heal better on their own. So instead of a prescription for antibiotics, your child might simply need an over-the-counter pain medication to help prevent discomfort until the infection heals.

• What kinds of cleaners do you use in your office?

  The types of cleaners that a health care provider uses to clean his office are a good indication of whether or not he is concerned about the health and safety of toxins in the environment.

• What steps do you take to make your office green?

  Does the staff at the office make an effort to conserve paper, recycle, drink filtered (instead of bottled) water, or reduce energy use? Ask your health care provider about the efforts made to minimize the impact of the office on the environment.

Use these questions as a guide to discussing a few of the key issues that may come up during your child's care.