Tag Archives: pediatrician

Should You Keep Your Child Home?

Every parent has faced that morning uncertainty when their child comes down the stairs and says he doesn’t feel well, just as you are getting his lunch ready for school. Should you keep him home from school or send him? Sometimes the answer isn’t very clear cut. Here is some advice that can help. Runny Nose and Cough If your child has a runny nose by itself, you can usually send your child to school. However, if it is accompanied by other symptoms or is severe, then keeping him home is the best option. For example, if the runny nose … Continue reading →

Saying Goodbye to Your Doctor

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Last week, my wife and I received a letter in the mail informing us that our daughter’s GI doctor was leaving the Children’s Hospital in our city and would be joining a new practice in the state of Ohio. We had been to see this doctor only a month prior, and he had given us no indication that such a move was imminent; so I am sure you can appreciate how taken aback we were when we received the news. Let me be clear, by no means do my wife and I begrudge this man’s decision in any way. We … Continue reading →

Patient Rights

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A big part of being a parent to a special needs child is frequent trips to the doctor. And more than anything, that means waiting. After all as Jerry Seinfeld once said, “They call it a waiting room for a reason. They’re gonna use it.” Our pediatrician’s office isn’t too bad. It’s the specialists that are the worst (especially if they are part of group that practices at a large hospital). Not only do they expect you to arrive 20 minutes early for an appointment (who are these people… TSA?), but then they offer no apologies for making you wait … Continue reading →

Pediatrician Visits

When a child is sick, you know immediately that they will need to see their pediatrician. If they are only going in for a cold or flu, you know that the only thing you will need to tell their doctor is the symptoms they have had, how long they have lasted and what you have given them. For well child checkups, there isn’t much to know. The pediatrician will ask the questions that they need to know the answers to. However, if you have a concern about your child, you’ll need to be prepared for your visit. I am concerned … Continue reading →

There’s Blood In My Daughter’s Poop?

We first noticed that our daughter’s poop looked a little strange when she was two months old. It had taken on sort of a purplish hue. We took her to her pediatrician to test it, and discovered it contained blood. I immediately eliminated dairy and soy from my diet, which helped at first, but the blood came back. Then I did block feeding to correct a possible foremilk/hindmilk imbalance, which helped at first, but the blood came back. Then I tried Dr. Sears’ Elimination Diet. Everything I tried seemed to work at first, but the blood always came back. She … Continue reading →

Baby’s First Check Up 2

Within 24 hours of birth, your baby will have his or her first official check up. This is an important examine that will let you know the health of your baby and if any intervention needs to be done while you are still in the hospital. Yesterday, I covered some of the areas that your baby’s doctor will cover. Now, let us continue. Nose and Mouth Your baby’s doctor will check the inside of your baby’s mouth. One thing that will be examined is whether or not the front of the tongue is attached too tightly to the floor of … Continue reading →

Baby’s First Check Up

Your baby will get his or her first official check up within 24-hours of birth. Generally this takes place while you are still in the hospital (if you had a hospital birth). If you are up to it, you can ask to be present, and it will be interesting to learn all about your baby’s tiny body. What occurs at this check up and what is your baby’s doctor observing? General Health Your doctor will first assess your baby’s general health. Was your baby full term or pre-term? Does your baby have good muscle tone and can lay in the … Continue reading →

Probiotics and the Rotavirus

As we learned from tiggermom3 here at Families.com, the rotovirus can be a scary and dangerous virus, especially when it hits young children. My eldest child contracted it when he was less than three months old, and it was a trying time. Although he didn’t wind up in the hospital as so many babies do when they get dehydrated from the illness, it was still a hard thing for him and for us to go through. When the rotavirus vaccine was released, I was happy to have my next two children vaccinated. But vaccinations aren’t for everyone. Now, here is … Continue reading →

Febrile Seizures and Spinal Taps

It is late at night and your baby wakes up with a high fever. While you are comforting your child and called the pediatrician, the baby goes into a seizure. What do you do? chances are that you rush your baby to the emergency room where it may be standard procedure to perform a spinal tap to rule out bacterial meningitis. But new research is showing that this painful procedure that requires sedation may not be the best choice for your baby. Read more to find out what the new information is all about. Febrile seizures are very scary but … Continue reading →

Preparing for Shots

No one thinks going to the pediatrician is fun, whether it is for a sick visit or a well visit. If you are prepared, though, things can go a bit more smoothly, especially when it comes to your child getting shots. You’ll also be able to bring up topics of concern and get your questions answered, despite holding on to a squirming baby, toddler or preschooler. Here are some ways to be prepared for the pediatrician when it comes to shots. Dress your child appropriately. This will make the visit so much easier. Forget about impressing the staff or the … Continue reading →