How to Be Ready to Talk to Your Child's Doctor

Your baby has a fever, or she may not be acting herself, and you suspect that she is ill. You decide to call your pediatrician. What will the doctor want to know?

The first step to being prepared is to keep track of the following information so that the physician can make an accurate diagnosis:

  • When did you first suspect that she was ill?
  • What is the child's temperature?
  • What medication, if any, have you given her?
  • What time did you administer the first dose, or any subsequent doses?
  • What is the child's behavior, including vomiting, diarrhea, etc.?
  • Is the child eating or drinking?
  • Has the child urinated or had a bowel movement?

You also may want to ask the following questions:

  • Should I bring my child in for a visit?
  • What medication should I be giving her?
  • When and how should I administer medication - before or after meals?
  • What symptoms will tell me that my child is getting worse rather than better?
  • When should I stop medication?
  • What should I be feeding her?
  • When will I know that she is all right?

To help build the lines of communication with your doctor, find out about call-in times for non-urgent questions. Also, check if there are specific times to come into the office with a sick child - many offices reserve morning visits for ill children, afternoon appointments for well-child visits.

© Parenthood.com, used with permission.

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