How do I book a pediatrician appointment in Brooklyn?

We partner with hundreds of licensed doctors and health care providers nationwide to offer top-rated care at affordable prices. Sesame works with doctors, not insurance companies, so you will connect directly with the provider you want to see.

Here’s how to book a pediatric appointment:

• Search “Pediatrician” in Sesame’s search bar
  
• Browse the list of available providers near you
  
• Choose between video and in-person services
  
• Pick a time that works best for your schedule
  
• Book your visit!
  
  

Sesame offers both in-person and online visits. If you book a video appointment, you will receive an email with a link to join the visit. You will also be able to access this link in another reminder email you will receive 30 minutes before the appointment start time and within your account.

Sesame works via a web link. There is no need to download software for a telehealth appointment on Sesame. Sesame works on all modern web browsers.

Not sure if your child needs to see a doctor in person? We recommend in-person visits for routine check-ups, chronic condition consultations, and lab testing. In contrast, video visits are used to address symptoms, discuss prescriptions, and screen for specific conditions.

What does a pediatrician do?

Pediatricians specialize in primary care for children from infancy to adolescence. Most children will have their first pediatrician appointment within 2-5 days after birth. Pediatricians offer diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative medicine to protect a child’s wellness. In addition, a pediatrician will monitor mental and physical development.

As a form of primary care, pediatrics serves as the initial contact for patients in the health care system. It is common for parents to take their children to a pediatrician before seeing a specialist. These medical providers also offer comprehensive care that will track the overall wellness of a child and prevent possible medical issues from occurring.

Medical services offered by pediatricians include:

• Performing physical exams and wellness check-ups (well visits)
  
• Giving immunizations (vaccinations) for diseases such as hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), rotavirus, and more
  
• Conducting speech therapy when appropriate
  
• Checking for milestones in skills, behavior, and growth
  
• Working with parents to monitor their child’s development
  
• Diagnosing and treating diseases, including illness, infection, and injuries
  
  

What is a well visit, and does my child need one?

Well visits, also known as check-ups, are crucial in monitoring a child’s overall wellness and development while allowing pediatricians to screen for worrying health conditions. Newborn children will undergo these routine appointments every few months before age 2. After 2 years of age, it is recommended that a child gets a well visit every year.

During these appointments, pediatricians will typically check the physical growth of children, discuss immunizations and other vaccinations, and answer any questions or concerns parents may have about their child’s health. They can also provide advice on nutrition and exercise for growing children and guidance on safety issues.

Here’s what to expect during a well-child visit:

Physical exam: The pediatrician or family medicine physician will perform a full-body physical examination to screen for infections and abnormalities. Pediatricians use a stethoscope to check for difficulty breathing and a regular pulse and examine the abdominal organs and genitalia for signs of infection or aberrant growths. The head's skeletal structures are inspected briefly to ensure that the bones in the skull form and join appropriately.

Measurements: During the physical examination, the pediatrician or family medicine physician will measure the child's body to monitor growth and development. For example, pediatricians use a special tape to measure the circumference of the child's skull, logging these measurements on a development chart that follows the child's growth curve.

Immunizations: A child will require vaccines to defend against disease and illness throughout its development. The CDC and the AAP have issued recommended immunization schedules to assist parents in maintaining vaccination and disease prevention schedules. Immunizations strengthen a child's immune system and protect them from diseases such as tetanus, polio, measles, hepatitis B, mumps, varicella, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Motor skills and development check: Pediatricians evaluate a child's developing motor abilities using a few straightforward tests. Tests include determining whether a child turns toward sound and whether their pupils follow a specific sight. In addition, a physician may inquire about social behaviors (such as imitating sounds and facial expressions) and abilities, including crawling, standing, and reaching.