A pediatrician is a medical professional who specializes in caring for children exclusively. Unlike a family doctor, who treats the whole family, a pediatrician devotes all their knowledge and expertise to children's health. Studies have even shown that family physicians may feel less equipped to provide care for children because their familiarity with child health issues is not as strong as a pediatrician's.

A pediatrician graduates from medical school and completes a 3-year residency program specifically in pediatrics. You should also look for a doctor who is "board-certified," which means they have passed rigorous exams given by the American Board of Pediatrics. Board-certified pediatricians must also meet regular pediatric education requirements to stay up to date.

The recommended vaccine schedule is the result of years of scientific study and data-gathering on millions of children by thousands of top scientists and physicians. Pediatric practices follow the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

According to the recommended schedule, the first vaccine your baby will receive is for Hepatitis B, which can be administered at birth.

The standard schedule for the first year includes eight routine visits: an initial visit after birth, followed by appointments at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months.

During each visit, you can expect the pediatrician to perform a complete physical exam and a developmental assessment. These visits are also when your child will receive their scheduled immunizations and when we perform important health screenings.

You should call a doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if your infant (less than 2 months old) has a rectal fever greater than 100.5 degrees. Other emergency signs include signs of dehydration (like a dry mouth, sunken eyes, or no urination for over 8 hours), lethargy or difficulty waking your baby, and persistent, inconsolable crying that lasts for over two hours.

We are available to see newborn children following their hospital discharge. Simply call the office to schedule the appointment.

The two most important tasks are to contact your insurance company within the first 30 days of birth to add your newborn to your plan and to provide your baby's medical records (especially hospital immunization records) to your pediatrician prior to the first visit.

Many pediatric offices, including ours, have separate sick and well waiting areas. This ensures that children who are not sick have a place to wait away from sick children.

At well child appointments from birth through childhood, the doctor performs growth measurements and developmental screenings to ensure your child is meeting important milestones.

After the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth, the schedule includes vaccines at two, four, and six months to protect against Rotavirus, DTaP, IPV, HIB, and pneumococcal disease.

Your pediatrician should be a partner in your child's care. You should expect them to honor your central role, respect that you know your child best, welcome your questions about your child's care, and provide clear instructions for how to care for your child at home.

Yes, our medical advice section provides guidance on how to handle non-urgent issues you may encounter. These include what to do for vomiting and diarrhea, such as continuing breastfeeding or using Pedialyte, and tips for constipation in infants older than four months, like using prune juice.

Timely vaccinations are critical. Vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness and saving lives. Following the recommended schedule is important for your child's health and the health of our community.

Yes, it is possible. There is a genetic predisposition for allergies to occur in families. However, while food allergies are relatively common in babies, seasonal allergies are rare and do not typically develop until the child is two to three years old due to the need to be exposed repeatedly over a few seasons. Other environmental allergies can be seen in babies because of year round exposure, which can include dust mites, mold, and pet dander.

An allergic reaction is a physiological response that happens when the body's immune system reacts to a specific foreign substance (called an allergen) that was touched, inhaled, or eaten. Normally, the body defends against harmful things like viruses, but with allergies, the defenses attack usually innocuous substances like dust, mold, or pollen. This can cause symptoms in the eyes, skin, nose, stomach, throat, and lungs.

A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. There are more than 200 different viruses that are known to cause colds. Because they are caused by viruses, antibiotics are not useful in treating colds, as antibiotics are meant to treat bacterial infections.

A rash is a reaction of the skin that can come from many things, such as an infection, a drug reaction, or an allergic reaction. Common rashes in children include eczema (atopic dermatitis) and irritant contact dermatitis, which happens from contact with something irritating like a soap, chemical, or detergent. Most people have experienced a rash before, likely including diaper rash as a baby.

To make the most of your time, it's helpful to inform the front staff of all your concerns when you schedule the appointment so they can allow the appropriate amount of time. During the visit, be sure to tell the doctor everything you know about your child's health, what your family needs, and let them know if any information or instructions are not clear.