Five Things Your Pediatrician Wishes You Knew Right Now

If you’re a parent in New Jersey right now, you’ve probably noticed it – the quiet shift happening in pediatric care. With dozens of practices closing their doors in recent months, it feels unsettling. Where can you find availability quickly when your child spikes a fever? Who knows their history? Who picks up the phone?

As a pediatrician, I’ve been thinking a lot about the current challenges parents are facing, and here’s what I’d want families to know right now:

1. A “home base” matters more than ever

In a time of transition, having a consistent pediatric home for your child is crucial. Continuity builds comfort for both you and your child. A familiar voice on the phone, a doctor who knows your child’s quirks and baseline – that familiarity can make all the difference when things get stressful.

2. Access and proximity aren’t small things

When your toddler wakes up coughing or you’re juggling work calls and school drop-offs, a 25-minute drive can feel impossible. Look for a practice that's truly accessible – not just by geography, but by responsiveness. Shorter travel, easy scheduling, and flexible hours aren’t luxuries. They’re part of good care.

3. Affiliation matters, especially in an emergency

If your pediatrician's office is connected to a hospital with strong pediatric services, that connection gives you built-in backup. Our practice - Holy Name Pediatrics in Teaneck – has access to an emergency room, a dedicated inpatient unit, a neonatal intensive care unit and 24/7 coverage. When care needs to move fast, that network can streamline everything, when it matters most.

4. Ask smart questions before you need to

If you’re joining a new practice (or reassessing your current one), ask about same-day visits, after-hours coverage, and response times. When many offices are consolidating, availability can tighten. Knowing the process now saves you stress later.

5. This winter will test the system – plan ahead

With flu, RSV, and colds on the rise – plus the ripple effects of those practice closures – this isn’t the year to wait until your child is sick to figure things out. Make sure your pediatric practice has your updated info, your portal access works, and your go-to pharmacy is on file. A little preparation now can spare you panic later.

Final thought

Every family deserves a steady, trusted place to turn when the unexpected hits.

If you’re still searching for that fit, know this: good care is out there, and now’s the perfect time to find it. The key is to secure that relationship before you need it.

Holy Name Pediatrics is now accepting new patients at 222 Cedar Lane in Teaneck, NJ. To make an appointment, book on online or call 201-592-9210.