The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions to help parents chose a pediatrician:

• If you're pregnant, start looking for a pediatrician even before your baby is born. It's a good idea to start pediatrician hunting about three months before your due date.
• Make sure the pediatrician participates in your health insurance company's network.
• Get advice from friends and family about their pediatricians.
• Look for a pediatrician who is board-certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Make sure he or she doesn't have any associated complaints filed with the state medical board.
• Ask lots of questions, about topics such as office hours, emergency availability and affiliated hospitals.