FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PEDIATRICS
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO PEDIATRICS THAT AREN’T ANSWERED BELOW.
Have a question about our pediatric services or your child’s records? Email a patient care coordinator using this form here. Make sure to enter a valid return email address. If you need to schedule an appointment please call your local Children’s International office, which can be found here.
Who are our pediatric providers?
Children’s International employs both pediatricians and nurse practitioners to care for your children.
A Pediatrician is a medical doctor who has completed additional training (a pediatric residency) to learn to care for children of all ages.
A Nurse Practitioner (also known as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) has also completed additional training to learn to care for children.
Our pediatricians and nurse practitioners work in a collaborative way to care for our patients.
What is a Pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a doctor that is specially trained to care for children of any age. Pediatricians are here to help care for your little ones and keep them active and healthy for years to come.
Should I Have a Pediatrician Before My Baby is Born?
Many parents have a pediatrician picked out and ready to work with their child before they’re even born! This helps to establish a relationship with your pediatrician and is helpful because your pediatrician can start caring for your child as soon as they’re born. You can ask any prenatal questions you may have and ask any questions you may have about caring for your child.
How Regularly Should My Child Visit Their Pediatrician?
You should expect to see your pediatrician a few times a year for the first six years or so so that your pediatrician can be sure that your child is progressing as expected and also for any vaccinations that your child may need. After the first few years of their lives, your child should see their doctor at least once a year for a wellness exam. Seeing the doctor shouldn’t happen only when your child is sick!
Can I Meet My Pediatrician Before My Baby Is born?
Yes, in fact we strongly encourage parents-to-be to visit our office for a prenatal appointment. This is a great way to get acquainted with our office and our doctors. During this visit, we will answer any questions that you have about our practice or your new child. Visit our expectant parent’s page for more information.
Are Your Offices Accepting New Patients?
Yes, we always welcome new patients. Contact our office for additional information or request an appointment.
Why Does My Child Need To Receive Vaccinations?
Immunizations are a series of shots given to children at different ages to help ward off serious, and potentially fatal, childhood diseases. Making sure your child receives immunizations when scheduled is the best way to help protect your child from potentially fatal diseases. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%. If you’re apprehensive about vaccinations, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
What are Well Visits?
Routine well visits are an important part of your child’s health care to make sure they are healthy and growing in all the right ways.
What To Expect at Your Child’s Well Visit
- Height
- Weight
- Head Circumference
- Growth and Developmental Screenings
- Anticipatory Guidance & Milestone Developments
- Immunization Updates
Well visits at our pediatric clinics for children ages 3 to 18 years old include:
- Height
- Weight
- Growth and Developmental Screenings
- Anticipatory Guidance & Milestone Developments
- Immunization Updates
- Blood pressure screening/monitoring
School Physicals, Sports Physicals, etc
We encourage you to call early for your child’s appointment, as we tend to get busy during July and August, and may not be able to accommodate you at short notice. By calling early, it also makes it possible to set up the appointment with your child’s primary care Pediatrician, providing continuity of care.
Forms, Permission Slips, Camp Forms, Work Forms etc
Please allow 10 days for completion of any form. We cannot usually complete them during your child’s well visit due to time constraints.
Sick Visits
We will make every effort to see your ill child the same day . We will particularly accommodate any ill infant. Please call early in order to minimize waiting room time.
If you have two ill children to be seen, please make it known when you are calling for an appointment, and schedule two appointments. Without an appointment, your child may not be seen at that time, and you may have to wait as the medical provider sees other scheduled patients who may be waiting.
Additional Pediatric Services
- Allergies (including seasonal)
- Asthma
- Cold
- Flu
- Flu Shots
- Specialist Referrals
- Other Childhood Ailments
What Do I Need To Bring To My First Visit?
If you are a new patient, you will need to bring your child’s medical records, including vaccine records, and insurance information or insurance card. In addition, please bring the appropriate New Patient Forms with you to your first visit.
Can My Child Always See the Same Doctor?
We encourage you to see the same doctor as often as possible. While this can easily be done for your well child visits, there may be times that your child needs to be seen, but your usual provider is not available. All of our providers are excellent and consult with one another so that your child will always receive outstanding care.
Do you have separate waiting rooms for sick and well children?
How do you handle prescription refills?
What Are Some Safety Concerns And Suggestions?
We urge parents to take the time to review the safety concerns and suggestions we have listed below:
- Your infant must be placed in an approved car seat at all times when riding in a car.
- He/she should be rear facing for as long as possible (minimum 2 years of age).
- Babies should always be placed to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Never leave your baby unattended in the tub, alone on a high place, or unattended in an infant seat on a table or countertop.
- Do not drink hot beverages while holding your baby.
- Become certified in infant/child CPR.
- Be careful when using old cribs. Slats should not be more than 2 inches apart.
- Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.
- We discourage the use of infant walkers (exer-saucers/bouncers are ok).
- Make sure your smoke detectors are in working condition.
- Please have emergency phone numbers available by the phone (MD, Poison Control, fire/ambulance).
What Should I Purchase For The Health And Safety Of My Baby?
- Rectal thermometer
- Cool mist humidifier
- Smoke detectors
- Approved car seat
- Safety items (i.e. outlet protectors, cabinet locks, safety gates, etc)