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Posts Tagged "Hospital"

28Apr2022

What To Consider When Choosing A Pediatrician For Your Child

There is more to choosing a pediatrician for your child than just finding the nearest office. First, you want to ensure the pediatrician is a good match for your family. This way, you have peace of mind whenever it is time to visit the pediatrician. To help you get started, here are several things to consider when choosing a pediatrician for your child.

Insurance

The first thing you should consider is the network of pediatricians that accept your insurance plan. Imagine finding a pediatrician and realizing they do not accept your insurance. Luckily, there are many pediatricians who are flexible on what type of insurance plans they accept.

Credentials

It is also important to consider the experience and credentials of each pediatrician. You also want to ensure they are properly trained and certified to work in the healthcare industry. Of course, you should also ensure they know how to remain friendly and patient when providing care to children who are nervous or fussy.

Communication

When choosing a pediatrician, it never hurts to read the reviews to determine their communication skills. If you see too many reviews stating that it is difficult to reach the pediatrician, it is best to skip to the next pediatrician on your list. You do not want a pediatrician who never communicates as needed.

Location

You also want to think about how far you are willing to travel for your child’s appointments. It is also important to keep your mode of transportation in mind. When searching through directories, you can narrow down your search to pediatricians who are closer to your preferred location.

Recommendations

It is always a good idea to ask for recommendations from family, friends, teachers, and other parents or educators. They may be able to recommend a friendly, reliable pediatrician who accepts your insurance plan. Once you have a list of recommendations, be sure to do your research before settling on a pediatrician.

You can also contact the office to ask if you can schedule a free visit to meet the staff. This way, you can determine if the pediatrician is a good match based on their interaction with your child. It also allows you to determine if the office itself is a good place for your family.

If you are looking for a trustworthy pediatrician for your child, consider Kids 1st Pediatrics. You can learn more about the office and schedule an appointment.

Pediatrics
17Mar2022

Signs You Need To Take Your Child To The Pediatrician

It is not uncommon to feel worried when your little one is sick, but you may be wondering when it is time to take your child to the pediatrician. After all, you want to avoid taking your child out of the house while they are sick unless it is necessary.

However, your child may need an appointment to identify an underlying cause or condition, such as dehydration, the flu, an allergic reaction, or the development of asthma.

Luckily, there are ways to determine if it is time to schedule an appointment for your child. Here are several signs you need to take your child to the pediatrician.

High Fever

If your child is three to six months with a temperature of 101 degrees F or higher or six months and older with a temperature of 103 degrees F or higher, you need to schedule an appointment with the pediatrician. You also need to call the pediatrician if your child is six months and older with a fever of more than three days.

Common Cold

The common cold is not uncommon in children, but it is time to schedule an appointment if it starts to become a problem. For example, if your child develops a persistent cough, earache, or skin rash or has difficulty breathing, you need to call the pediatrician as soon as possible.

Dehydration

It is important to call your child’s pediatrician if you notice signs of dehydration. The signs include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and dark yellow or brown urine. Your child’s pediatrician can let you know if you should treat your child at home, bring them into the office or take them to the emergency room.

Vomiting or Diarrhea

Children experience vomiting and diarrhea at times. However, frequent vomiting or diarrhea is another sign that your child needs to see their pediatrician. It could be the sign of an underlying cause, such as dehydration, the stomach flu, or food poisoning.

If you are still unsure if you should take your child to the pediatrician, call the office to discuss their symptoms. A nurse or pediatrician can help you determine your next step. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your child.

Of course, you want to ensure your child has a reliable pediatrician who has their health and well-being in mind. If you are looking for a warm, caring pediatrician for your child, consider Kids First Pediatrics.

Pediatrics
5Nov2021

Should You Call the Doctor?

One of the hardest calls to make as a parent is figuring out when to call your child’s doctor. While it’s always a good idea to play it safe, many parents worry that they might end up bringing their children into the office for something that could have more easily been handled at home. If you’re trying to make such a decision, you’ll want to keep a few factors in mind.

Important Factors to Consider

The first thing to think about, of course, is the significance of what you are dealing with. A fever of below one hundred degrees, for example, probably isn’t worth going to the doctor for, nor is a small scrape or bruise. On the other hand, a problem that seems bigger – a higher, longer-duration fever or a significant injury – should almost automatically warrant a visit to the doctor’s office.

It’s also worth thinking about your child’s general health. There is a certain degree of normality for any given child when it comes to how he or she reacts to being sick, and you need to keep that in mind. It might be worth bringing a child in for what might be a low fever if he or she typically runs cool, for example, or you might not want to bring in a child who complains about a stomach ache if he or she is typically prone to those problems (and, of course, other issues have already been ruled out by your doctor).

Finally, try to remember that it’s always worth bringing your child in to see his or her doctor if you feel like something is just not right. While it’s not fair to say that a parent’s intuition is always going to pay off, you will have a greater peace of mind if you take your child in to see a doctor when you feel like doing so is appropriate. The worst you can find out is that your child didn’t need to come into the office, so the true risk of going in is relatively low compared to the risk of staying at home out of fear that you are over-reacting.

Pediatrics
17Apr2020

Benefits of Exercise for Children

If your family is similar to many others, your children may be going stir-crazy by now. Although the first few days off school may have filled them with joy, days, and weeks away from their friends during the coronavirus pandemic and a limit on the number of activities they can do may leave them feeling more like couch potatoes than ever. Now is the time to inspire your children to get up and find activities that they love. Not only is exercise good for physical health, but also it can significantly improve your children’s mental health during this stressful time.

Improve Strength and Physical Fitness

All kids need stronger bones and muscles. This will help them maintain lean, healthy bodies and will put them on the path to good habits early in life. They will also increase in endurance and be able to run farther and play longer.

Improve Heart and Lung Health

Children who exercise can lower their blood pressure just as adults do. They will also improve their lung capacity.

Improve Sleep

Children who exercise often feel more relaxed. They may be able to get to sleep faster, sleep longer, and have better sleep quality.

Improve Mood

The hormones released during exercise help decrease stress hormones while improving the feel-good hormones that lead to an improved mood.

Boost Confidence

Kids who are more physically fit feel good about themselves because of what they can do. They may have better self-image and be proud of their flexibility, strength, and endurance. This confidence may even translate into improved body image, better test scores, and improved social habits.

While these are the top benefits of exercise for children, you may find that your child can improve in many other areas as well. Now more than ever, it is vital that your children are getting the recommended amount of exercise every day. Do not let fear of coronavirus stop you from letting your children play on their own in the backyard, from taking a family walk or from biking on your quiet street. While you should not be letting your children play with all the other children on your street, you can use this time to bond as a family with special activities. Not only will you be helping your children build healthy habits for their bodies, but also you will be improving their emotional health.

Pediatrics
28Mar2020

All About Tummy Time

One of the biggest surprises for many parents is the requirement of tummy time for their infants. In their concerns over breastfeeding, sleep schedules, and developmental milestones, they may forget about the importance of daily time spent on the belly. This practice can actually help your baby develop properly.

What Are the Benefits of Tummy Time?

One of the most important benefits of tummy time is the overall physical strengthening effects for your baby. Your infant will learn how to lift his head and will develop strong muscles in his neck and upper back. In addition, this can lead to an improvement in gross motor skills, which can lead to an earlier development in the areas of rolling over, sitting, and crawling. In addition, getting your baby off his back for at least some of the day can prevent the flat head syndrome.

How Much Tummy Time Should Your Baby Have?

At first, your baby will probably not want to put up with much time on his tummy. In fact, you may find that he can only make it for five minutes or less before he begins crying. You may also find that you need to interact directly with your child for much of the time to keep him content. However, as your child becomes used to this time, you can increase tummy time length each day.

How Can You Get Started with Tummy Time?

It is best to start tummy time as early as possible because your baby will be quite resistant to it the older he is when starting the routine. Tummy time should happen once or twice per day at a minimum. However, as your baby gets used to this time, you may be able to encourage it after diaper changes or upon awakening from a nap.

Consider buying your child a special tummy time mat and pillow, which is perfectly sized for his tiny chest. This will also help him lift his neck and head off the floor to look around and better enjoy himself. You may also be able to use a breastfeeding pillow if you have one. As your child gets older, place age-appropriate toys near him to encourage motor skills and enjoyment.

Tummy time is an important part of every infant’s daily life. If you have further questions about how to get started, check with Kids 1st Pediatrics.

Pediatrics
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