Top 15 Doctors That Work With Babies: Find Your Specialty

Key Takeaways

• A pediatrician serves as the primary care physician for children from birth through adolescence, conducting routine well-baby check-ups, administering vaccinations according to the CDC schedule, and tracking developmental milestones.
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), approximately 10% of all newborns require specialized care in a NICU each year.
• Congenital heart defects are among the most common birth defects, affecting nearly 1 in 100 babies born in the United States each year.
• The path to becoming a doctor who works with babies follows a structured sequence: undergraduate degree, medical school, residency, and fellowship.

Pursuing a medical path that centers on infant care offers many possibilities, each with its own focus, level of training, and daily experience. Some fields emphasize building lasting relationships with families through ongoing care, while others involve decision-making in critical situations. Gaining a clear understanding of the different types of doctors that work with babies can help you make an informed decision about your future in medicine.

This guide details 15 medical specialties centered on infant health, explains their unique roles, and outlines the education and training pathways required to practice in each field. If you’re considering pediatric medicine, it will help you this article will help you identify which specialty aligns with your goals and strengths.

Doctors That Work With Babies

The medical professionals who care for infants represent a wide range of expertise. From primary care doctors who track growth and development to specialized surgeons who treat complex congenital conditions, each contributes to giving babies the thorough, compassionate care they need in their earliest months.

The following list introduces physicians across various medical disciplines, all dedicated to supporting infant health.

1. Pediatrician

A pediatrician serves as the primary care physician for children from birth through adolescence. Their core responsibilities include conducting routine well-baby check-ups, administering vaccinations according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) schedule, and tracking physical, emotional, and social developmental milestones.

Pediatricians diagnose and treat a wide range of common childhood illnesses, infections, and injuries. They also provide parents with guidance on nutrition, safety, fitness, and overall wellness. Most pediatricians work in outpatient clinic settings, building long-term relationships with families over many years.

If you’re interested in primary care and enjoy continuity in patient relationships, being a pediatrician offers the opportunity to support children’s growth, development, and well-being through every stage of their early life.

2. Neonatologist

A neonatologist is a subspecialist of pediatrics who provides medical care to critically ill newborn infants. They treat premature infants, babies with low birth weight, and those with congenital malformations, infections, or breathing difficulties.

Neonatologists are typically based in a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they manage complex life-support equipment such as ventilators, incubators, and cardiac monitors. Their work is high-stakes and requires quick decision-making in life-or-death situations. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), approximately 10% of all newborns require specialized care in a NICU each year.

3. Obstetrician

An obstetrician‘s primary patient is the mother, but their role directly impacts the baby’s health. Obstetricians monitor fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy, identify potential issues via ultrasound and other diagnostic tests, and manage the health of both mother and baby during labor and delivery.

If you’re interested in the process of bringing babies into the world and want to focus on maternal-fetal health, becoming an obstetrician offers a unique intersection of surgical skill and long-term patient care.

4. Family physician

A family physician provides comprehensive care to patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors. This broad scope allows them to care for entire families, understanding family health history and dynamics in ways that inform treatment decisions.

Like pediatricians, family physicians manage well-baby visits, immunizations, and common illnesses in infants. Their training includes pediatric care, but they also treat adults and elderly patients. This makes them ideal for families seeking a single physician for all members. To become a family medicine doctor, you’ll complete a 3-year family medicine residency that covers pediatrics, obstetrics, internal medicine, and surgery.

5. Pediatric neurologist

A pediatric neurologist specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to an infant’s developing nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. They manage conditions such as seizures, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and congenital brain malformations.

These specialists assess a baby’s reflexes, muscle tone, and cognitive development to identify neurological issues as soon as possible. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes for infants with neurological conditions. 

Pediatric neurologists often work closely with neurosurgeons, physical therapists, and developmental specialists.

6. Pediatric gastroenterologist

Pediatric gastroenterologists focus on the health of an infant’s digestive system, including the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and liver. They treat severe gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), chronic diarrhea, food protein intolerances, and jaundice: a common condition where bilirubin builds up in a newborn’s blood.

Their role is vital in addressing feeding and nutritional issues that can impede a baby’s growth and development. Approximately 50% of infants experience some degree of reflux, though most cases resolve without medical intervention.

7. Pediatric radiologist

A pediatric radiologist uses various imaging techniques to diagnose conditions in infants and children. These technologies include X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI. Pediatric radiologists are experts in selecting the right imaging procedures for young patients and interpreting results while accounting for the anatomical differences in growing children.

Their work is essential for diagnosing fractures, infections, congenital abnormalities, and other conditions that may not be visible through physical examination alone. They collaborate closely with other specialists (such as pediatric surgeons, oncologists, neurologists, and orthopedists) to guide treatment decisions.

8. Pediatric cardiologist

A pediatric cardiologist is a professional who diagnoses and treats heart problems in infants. They manage congenital heart defects (structural problems present at birth) as well as arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and heart murmurs.

Congenital heart defects are among the most common birth defects, affecting nearly 1 in 100 babies born in the United States each year, according to the CDC. Pediatric cardiologists use echocardiograms, EKGs, and other diagnostic tools to assess heart function and determine whether surgical intervention is necessary.

9. Pediatric ENT

An ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, also called an otolaryngologist, is a surgical specialist focused on conditions affecting these areas in infants and children. Common issues they treat include chronic ear infections (sometimes requiring ear tubes), congenital hearing loss, breathing problems related to airways (such as laryngomalacia), and feeding or swallowing difficulties.

ENT specialists work closely with audiologists, speech therapists, and pulmonologists to provide comprehensive care for infants with complex conditions affecting the head and neck.

10. Pediatric dermatologist

Pediatric dermatologists diagnose and treat disorders of the skin, hair, and nails in children. In infants, they commonly see complex birthmarks (such as hemangiomas), severe eczema (atopic dermatitis), genetic skin diseases, and skin infections.

Hemangiomas, for example, are benign tumors made of blood vessels that appear as red or purple marks on the skin, and about 5% of infants develop them. While most resolve on their own, some require treatment to prevent complications. 

11. Pediatric pulmonologist

A pediatric pulmonologist specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing breathing disorders and lung diseases in infants and children. They treat conditions such as chronic cough, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and breathing problems related to prematurity (bronchopulmonary dysplasia).

Premature infants are particularly vulnerable to respiratory issues because their lungs may not be fully developed at birth. Pediatric pulmonologists work in both inpatient and outpatient settings, often coordinating care with neonatologists and respiratory therapists.

12. Pediatric endocrinologist

Pediatric endocrinologists deal with diseases related to hormones and the endocrine glands. In infants, they manage problems with growth, puberty (in rare cases of precocious puberty), thyroid function, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a group of genetic disorders affecting the adrenal glands.

Early diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders can prevent serious complications and improve long-term health outcomes. These specialists often follow patients from infancy through adolescence to monitor hormonal development.

13. Pediatric allergist/immunologist

Pediatric allergists and immunologists treat allergic conditions and disorders of the immune system. In infants, this includes food allergies (milk, soy, egg), eczema, and hives. They also treat primary immunodeficiency diseases, where the body’s ability to fight infection is compromised.

Food allergies affect approximately 8% of children in the United States, according to Food Allergy Research & Education. Early identification and management of allergies and immune disorders can prevent life-threatening reactions and improve quality of life.

14. Pediatric ophthalmologist

A pediatric ophthalmologist is a medical and surgical doctor who specializes in children’s eye problems. They treat blocked tear ducts, strabismus (misaligned eyes), pediatric cataracts or glaucoma, and retinopathy of prematurity (a condition affecting the retinas of premature infants).

Vision problems in infancy can affect development and learning, making early detection and treatment critical. Pediatric ophthalmologists use specialized equipment designed for examining young children who cannot yet communicate verbally.

15. Pediatric surgeon

A pediatric surgeon is trained to perform a wide range of surgeries on infants and children. Their training covers procedures from the neonatal period through adolescence, including hernia repairs, appendectomies, and corrections of congenital anomalies like pyloric stenosis or intestinal malformations.

Pediatric surgeons work closely with neonatologists, pediatricians, and other specialists to provide surgical care tailored to the unique anatomical and physiological needs of young patients.

Education and Training Pathways

The path to becoming a doctor that works with babies follows a structured sequence: undergraduate degree (with pre-med coursework) → medical school → residency → fellowship (for subspecialties).

Residency is a period of hands-on training in a specific field, typically lasting 3 years for general pediatrics. During residency, physicians work under supervision in hospitals and clinics, gaining practical experience in diagnosing and treating patients.

Fellowship is additional specialized training required for subspecialties like neonatology, pediatric cardiology, or pediatric surgery. Fellowships can last 2-5 years, depending on the specialty. For example, pediatric surgery fellowships typically last 2-3 years after completing a 5-year general surgery residency.

Board certification is an additional credential that demonstrates expertise in a chosen specialty. Physicians must pass rigorous exams administered by specialty boards to become board-certified. This certification reassures patients and employers of a physician’s qualifications.

How to Choose the Right Baby Doctor Career

Choosing the right specialty requires honest self-reflection about your preferences, strengths, and long-term goals. Consider these questions:

Do you prefer primary care and long-term patient relationships (pediatrician, family physician) or focused, problem-solving roles (surgeon, radiologist)? Primary care physicians build relationships with families over many years, while specialists often see patients for specific issues.

Are you drawn to high-stakes, critical care environments (neonatologist) or outpatient clinic settings (allergist, dermatologist)? NICU work involves rapid decision-making in life-or-death situations, while outpatient care tends to be more predictable and less urgent.

How do you feel about the different lengths of training required? General pediatrics requires 3 years of residency, while a surgical subspecialty may require 5-7 additional years of fellowship training. Consider how long you’re willing to commit to training before starting independent practice.

To explore pediatric careers firsthand, seek out shadowing opportunities with physicians in different specialties. Conduct informational interviews with doctors to learn about their daily routines, challenges, and rewards. Volunteer work in hospitals or clinics can also provide valuable exposure to different medical environments.

Learning more about specializations in pediatrics can help you identify which path aligns best with your interests and goals.

The Bottom Line

The field of infant medicine offers diverse career opportunities for physicians passionate about improving the health and well-being of babies. Each specialty plays a distinct role in supporting early health; be it the pediatrician guiding a child’s growth over the years or the neonatal specialist delivering critical care when every second counts.

Your choice of specialty should reflect your personal strengths, preferred work environment, and long-term career goals. Some physicians find their calling in continuous patient care, while others thrive in the precision and intensity of surgical practice. In either case, dedicating your career to infant medicine offers immense rewards, both professionally and personally.

Begin your path to a rewarding medical career. Learn more about the AUA MD program and see how it can prepare you for a career dedicated to infant health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the highest-paid pediatric specialty?

Pediatric surgery and pediatric cardiology are among the highest-paid pediatric specialties, with average salaries exceeding $200,000 per year. Subspecialties requiring extensive training and surgical expertise typically command higher salaries.

What is the difference between a pediatrician and a neonatologist?

Pediatricians provide ongoing care for children from birth through adolescence, while neonatologists focus exclusively on newborns who need specialized medical attention, particularly those born prematurely or with complications.