I don’t remember how we chose our pediatrician; if it was based on recommendations or google searches or if I just closed my eyes and pointed at the screen, and then called the listing closest to my finger.

I do remember feeling great relief that we had found a pediatrician, and then great confusion about the fact that you have to rouse yourself from your home 1-2 days after giving birth to take the baby to the pediatrician, that this is a universal thing and yet birthing women are also told not to lift anything or drive for several days/weeks, so you’re supposed to have a person to help you, and yet we don’t give either of these people time off work in any guaranteed capacity. I could rant. (Sidenote: RVA Baby is a great solution for this problem, by the way. Highly recommend. We used Dr. West for our second baby’s first few checkups, because otherwise we would have been taking the toddler with us for those visits, too.)

A sleeping newborn wearing only a diaper is cradled in his father's arms. The view is from the top of his head, he has barely any hair.

And so, we bundled our January baby and the three of us ventured out to see the pediatrician and presented our new baby boy to the doctor on call (it was a Saturday). He looked at our 3 day old newborn, our tired faces, and the paperwork, and said, “you’re not feeding him enough. His weight has dropped too far. I’ll get you pamphlets on formula feeding,” and promptly left the room.

He was then shocked and surprised when he returned to the room to find me crying.

New parents care for their newborn son in his nursery. The baby is grabbing Mom's hand while she puts a pacifier in his mouth, and Dad smiles down as he holds his son.

When we returned to the pediatrician on Monday for a weight check, we saw a different doctor. A warm, kind doctor, who dress(es) like Ms Frizzle from Magic School Bus and instantly puts me at ease every time we see her. She has been the doctor we ask for every time at our chosen practice, and we’ve managed to avoid the horrible man doctor for the last seven years, with the exception of one emergency visit where I noted that his bedside manner is still as awful as ever.

Finding a pediatrician in Richmond’s wealth of practices and partners can be just as nerve-wracking as finding a newborn photographer. It can lead to tears and have you scrambling for a second opinion, or it can lead to years of excellent care. We want the latter. Always.

A sleepy newborn swaddled in a navy blue swaddle with a matching cap, smiles with barely open eyes in his crib.

In an effort to help you find your own perfect pediatrician, whether you’re having a baby in Richmond, or moving to Richmond, or just know you need a new doctor in Richmond, I’ve crowd-sourced some places for you to start your search.

I reached out to my friends and followers on Instagram recently, and asked for people to share their *excellent* providers. I didn’t want meh doctors or any red or yellow flags. These are green flag pediatricians in the Richmond area that have been recommended by people who use them, know them, love them, and want others to find good providers, too.

A close-up image of a newborn's feet while he is held by his mother, wearing a striped dress.

Richmond Pediatricians for your search:

Pediatric and Adolescent Health Partners

Specific recommendation: Katie Bailey, CPNP

Office location(s): Chesterfield (Midlothian Turnpike beside Midlothian Middle School); Powhatan (farther down Midlothian Turnpike)

Open weekends: Saturday mornings until 10:30am, at the Midlothian location, by appointment (typically seen same day for sick visits)

Call: (804) 794-2821

Website: https://pahpartners.com/

Commonwealth Pediatrics

Specific recommendation: Jennifer Domer, MD, FAAP

Office location(s): Richmond (Jahnke Road across from Chippenham Hospital); Chesterfield (Hull Street near Woodlake); (Westchester Commons at Midlo/288)

Open weekends: Saturday mornings at Jahnke location, by appointment (offers same day appointments for all sick visits)

Call: (804) 320-1353

Website: https://commonwealthpeds.com/

A mostly-asleep newborn wearing only a diaper and cradled in his father's hands, stretches broadly with his arms outstretched and his back arched. The image is black and white.

Richmond Pediatric Center

Specific recommendation: Brianna Couch, MD

Office location(s): Henrico (John Rolfe Parkway in Short Pump); (Glen Allen at Virginia Center Commons); (East End Laburnum near the airport, beside Country Style Doughnuts)

Open weekends: Saturday mornings at the VCC location, by appointment or walk-in

Call: 804-266-9616

Website: https://richmondpediatriccenter.com/

Huguenot Pediatrics*

Specific recommendation: Indra Kancitis, MD, FAAP

Office location(s): Chesterfield (Huguenot Road near Chesterfield Towne Center)

Open weekends: Saturday morning (unsure about walk-ins)

Call: (804) 794-2299

Website: https://ppvkids.com/huguenot-pediatrics/

West End Pediatrics*

Specific recommendation: All four providers

Office location(s): Henrico (Patterson Ave at Gaskins Road)

Open weekends: Saturday mornings (unsure about walk-ins)

Call: (804) 740-6171

Website: https://ppvkids.com/west-end-pediatrics/

*Both Huguenot Peds and West End Peds are part of Pediatric Partners of Virginia.

A father cradles his newborn son in his arms and strokes his nose to encourage the baby to sleep during a newborn photography session at home.

This just scratches the surface of all the pediatricians available in Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Powhatan. But this might give you a place to start looking for the provider that’s the best for you and your family.

If you’re established with a pediatrician that you love, who would you add to this list? Join the conversation on my Instagram post and let the new families know who they should see.

A sleeping newborn, swaddled in matching navy swaddle and cap, laying on his back while he snoozes in his crib.

Richmond Pediatricians Recommended by Other Parents