Choosing your kid's pediatrician may seem like just one more "before baby" chore to soon-to-be parents running down a checklist that includes everything from assembling the crib to finding childcare. But actually, this single decision is going to impact your family more than you might think.

Of course, you need to ensure a doctor is licensed, and ideally, certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, accepts your insurance, and works with a top-rated hospital in case of emergencies, but beyond those practicalities, there are a few things that make for standout pediatricians. The best pediatricians (IMHO) treat the whole family, especially new parents. They ask mom if she's getting enough sleep and offer breastfeeding and other postpartum support. The can offer discipline suggestions and address behavior issues as kids grow up. 

But don't just take my word for it. We asked our amazing group of second-time parents at Mommy Poppins with kids ranging from newborns to teens on what to ask when interviewing a new doctor for your children and what to look for when choosing that very first pediatrician for your brand-new baby. Read on for our 13 top questions to consider before choosing your next doctor.

Find more top tips in our Baby and Pregnancy Guide for New Parents.

Families will find FREE kids' music, crafts, and movies on tap for this school-holiday-free (phew) October week in New York City.

Read on for our top weekday picks and be sure to peruse our Event Calendar for even more options. Head over to the Halloween Guide to make your October 31 plans in New York City, and the Fall Fun Guide for festivals, day trips, events just right for preschool-age kids, and more seasonal art and theater.

As the weather turns cooler, don't forget to check out our Family Fun Guide filled with drop-in play spaces, including several that just opened: SciTech Kids, Good Day Play Cafe, Let's Play Playhouse, The Coop, and the Brooklyn Children's Museum's downtown annex, Spark.

This weekend is loaded with fall fun, including Kids Fest in Madison Square Park, the Harvest Fest & Pumpkin Patch at the Queens Botanical Garden, and Diwali celebrations. Plus City of Science lands in Park Slope, and the annual Open House New York lets families go behind the scenes at many of New York City's most celebrated institutions, museums, colleges, and even private venues.

In a Halloween state of mind? Check out the upcoming Halloween parades, no-cost Halloween events, and the top Halloween celebrations for NYC kids. Head over to Scarecrows & Pumpkins at the New York Botanical Garden this weekend, Luna Park for its annual Halloween Harvest, the Bronx for Boo at the Zoo, or even a Halloween-themed puppet show. Plus, there's pumpkin chucking at NYSCI already and the very popular Fire Museum Halloween Party (tickets go fast! It is now sold out).

There's also new children's theater opening this weekend, pumpkins ready to be picked, and fall foliage hikes as the leaves begin to turn. Plus, we're halfway through the fall already, so time to scoop up the last of the NY-area apples, visit the city's only corn maze, and check out the final harvest festivals.

Remember, more options for this weekend, October 15-16, are available on our Event Calendar. Also, be sure to peruse our Fall Fun Guide and Halloween Guide for even more seasonal activities.