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Being a parent can be nerve racking. Whether you are a first time mother or a father of 6, you are constantly worrying about your little ones. A fever, a fall at the park, or a bout with diarrhea can send any level-headed parent in to a worried tail spin. While you might be tempted to call your pediatrician at the first sign of a runny nose, there is usually nothing to worry about. However, that does nothing to calm a worried parent. To help make things easier, here are 5 times you should definitely call your pediatric care specialists office. - Fevers. If your child is 0-3 months and has a fever of 100.4 or higher, you should ALWAYS call the pediatrician. If your child is 3 to 6 months old, anything over 101 should warrant a call to the doctor. For those children over the age of 6 months, a fever of 103 degrees or higher should immediately be reported to the pediatrician. Also, if your child has a fever that is not going down after being treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, it’s best to check in with your doctor’s office just to be safe. If you notice that your child’s fever is interfering with their ability to eat or decreasing the times they urinate, or if it begins causing confusion, call the doctor.
- Stomach pain. If your child is complaining of stomach pain, it might be best to call your pediatrician. If you notice that the pain is located on the right side of the abdomen, don’t waste any time. This could be a sign of appendicitis.
- Injuries that fail to heal. If your child falls or trips, keep an eye on the injured area. If you see your child is still nursing the wound the next day, give your doctor a call.
- Difficulty swallowing. If you begin to notice that your child is having a hard time swallowing, call your pediatrician. It could just be a sore throat. However, it could also be an indication that something has become lodged in their throat. In some cases, it also indicates an allergic reaction.
- Skin issues. If your child has a rash or irritation that makes your cringe, speak to your doctor. If you find that a slight rash doesn’t seem to subside after a few days, it’s also time to call your pediatrician.
- Blood in your child’s stool or vomit is another indication that something is wrong and that your child should be examined by a doctor.
- If you suspect your child is dehydrated, it is necessary to speak with your pediatrician. Make sure that your child is urinating at least 3 times in 24 hours. Dry lips, lethargy, weakness, and diarrhea can all be other indications of dehydration.
- If vomiting lasts more than 24 hours is especially violent, or if your child throws up more than 10 times within a 24 hours period, be sure to consult with your pediatrician.
- If your gut tells you something is wrong. If at any time you feel like something isn’t right with your child, call your pediatrician. You know your kid better than anyone else. Trust your parenting skills and reach out for help when you think you need it.
Don’t ever feel silly or overprotective for calling your pediatrician, especially for one of the above reasons. Your pediatric care specialists are available to answer any questions that you might have. Because being a parent is so stressful, it’s important to use every resource available to you. If you have any concerns about your child’s health or safety, it’s best to give your pediatrician a call.
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