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Posts for tag: Pediatrician
Pertussis, more commonly referred to as whooping cough, is a contagious bacterial infection of the lungs. The nickname comes from the “whooping” sound that occurs when a child breathes. While many people assume that whooping cough is an infection that no longer exists, it’s actually more common in the US than we’d like to admit. In fact, pediatricians have seen an increase in the number of whooping cough cases over the last couple of decades.You might brush off the early signs of whooping cough because they look an awful lot like the common cold. Older children and teens may develop congestion, mild fever, cough, or runny nose; however, within the first 1-2 weeks you will notice that the cough gets worse. In fact, your child may develop severe and sudden coughing fits.
Children and newborns are more likely to display severe symptoms. They may not have a whoop in their cough, but they may vomit or show severe fatigue after coughing. While anyone can develop whooping cough, infants are at particular risk for serious and life-threatening complications so it’s important to have your family vaccinated.
While newborns are too young to be vaccinated against whooping cough, you should make sure that the rest of your family is fully vaccinated. The DTaP vaccine will protect against whooping cough and will be administered at 2, 4, and 6 months old, again at 15 to 18 months, and again at 6 years for a total of five doses.
If you suspect that your child might have whooping cough, you must call your pediatrician right away. Children under 18 months old may require hospitalization so doctors can continuously monitor them, as children are more likely to stop breathing with whooping cough. Of course, coming in during the early stages of the infection is important as antibiotics are more effective at the very start of the illness.
- Resting as much as possible
- Staying hydrated
- Sticking to smaller meals to safeguard against cough-induced vomiting
- Making sure your family is up to date on their vaccinations
Reflexively, your baby is born with the ability to suck. It makes sense. After all, your little one must be able to suck to get nutrients, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Thumb sucking also has the ability to soothe and calm your little one. However, there are moments as your child gets older where thumb-sucking may become a problem. Your pediatrician can provide you with the tips and tricks to help your little one grow out of this habit.This is a normal habit in newborns that typically goes away around 6-7 months; however, this seemingly innocuous habit may actually be a cause for concern if thumb sucking continues beyond 2-4 years, where it can alter the shape of the face or cause teeth to stick out.
Many children desire a pacifier between feedings, but this should not be a replacement for feedings. It’s important to recognize when your child is sucking because they are hungry and whether they merely want to self-soothe. If your child still has an urge to suck and they don’t need to nurse, then a pacifier is a safe way to soothe and ease your child’s needs (if they want it).
- Do not tease or punish your child for using a pacifier, but instead praise them when they do not use it. Provide them with rewards when they go without it.
- Some children use pacifiers out of boredom, so give your child something to do to distract them such as playing with a game or toy (to keep their hands busy).
- If incentives and rewards aren’t enough and your child is still using a pacifier, your pediatrician may recommend a “thumb guard” that can prevent your child from sucking their thumb. While you may feel in a rush to get rid of your child’s pacifier, it’s important to be patient. All children eventually stop this habit.
We all know how accident-prone kids can be. They get bruises, bumps, cuts, and scrapes from time and time. Most of the time, these boo-boos are nothing to worry about, but sometimes a cut or laceration may require turning to your pediatrician for stitches. Does your child need stitches? We know it isn’t always easy to tell. Here are some telltale signs that your child might need stitches,- Apply pressure to the cut for five minutes. If it’s still bleeding after five minutes, it probably needs stitches
- The cut is more than ½-inch deep or longer
- The cut is around their eye
- The cut is on their face or neck and is longer than ¼ inch
- The cut is gaping open
- There is an object sticking out of it, including debris or glass
- The cut is spurting blood
When should I call the pediatrician?
If in doubt about whether or not your child may need stitches, call your pediatrician. With the introduction of telehealth visits, many pediatricians can now look at images of the injury or wound through a simple online appointment and determine whether the child or teen needs to come in for stitches. While the warning signs above are telltale indicators that your child may need stitches, even if the cut doesn’t need stitches, you should still see the doctor if:
- The cut was made by a rusty or metal object
- There is redness, swelling, pus, or other signs of infection
- The child has been bitten by an animal
- The cut hasn’t healed within 10 days
- There is still severe pain after a few hours
If you still aren’t sure whether or not your child should get stitches, it doesn’t hurt to give your pediatrician a call. Let us know the symptoms your child is experiencing, and we can determine if their injury requires a closer look from our team. Call us today; we can deal with your child’s urgent medical matters.
Choosing a pediatrician is vital to the health of your child. It's important to have a pediatrician you trust to provide your child with proper care and provide support to parents. The doctors at 7 Days Pediatrics are here for you in Edison, NJ, and South Plainfield, NJ, when you need a pediatrician.
How to choose a pediatrician
If you're looking for a new pediatrician in your area, ask neighbors and friends about their experiences. If you're looking for a pediatrician for a new baby, your OBGYN may have recommendations. Consider the location of the practice to your home or daycare. 7 Days Pediatrics is conveniently located in Edison, NJ.
When looking at potential pediatricians, here's a few things to keep in mind:
- Credentials and experience - what is the doctor's background and training?
- References - was the doctor recommended by friends or family?
- Insurance - does the practice accept your insurance?
Once you've done some research, a first appointment is the best way to see if the pediatrician is a good fit. For a new baby, some pediatricians will visit the newborn in the hospital if they are affiliated with the same hospital.
Your first visit with a pediatrician
An initial office visit helps determine if the pediatrician will be a good fit for you and your child. During a first appointment, take time to ask the doctor questions. Take note of the office hours and how the practice handles emergency visits. Ask what hospital your child would be hospitalized at in an emergency. For some parents, the doctor must have parenting experience or similar parenting philosophies. The best pediatrician for you will consider how you care for your child with their care plan.
It's best for your child's health that they have a positive relationship with their doctor and visit regularly. At a first appointment, make sure your child is comfortable with the doctor, or see how the doctor interacts with your newborn.
Don't wait to choose a pediatrician and have a first visit! Come see the doctors at 7 Days Pediatrics in Edison, NJ, or South Plainfield, NJ. Give us a call at (732) 548-3210.
Choosing a pediatrician is one of the biggest decisions parents have to make.
Your pediatrician is someone who is going to provide medical care, treatment, guidance, and support until your child becomes an adult. Therefore, it’s important for parents in the Edison, NJ, community to find a pediatrician that they trust and know will provide their children with the care they deserve. Here’s what you should know about choosing the best pediatrician for your little one:
Start Looking for a Pediatrician While Pregnant
You’ll have enough to worry about once the baby comes. The last thing you want to think about is who your pediatrician is going to be. Moms-to-be who are living in Edison, NJ, should start looking for a pediatrician between 28 and 34 weeks pregnant. Having a pediatrician that you already trust before your baby is born can provide peace of mind. Plus, parents who already have a designated pediatrician are more likely to bring their child in for important, timely checkups when they need to.
Talk with Your Insurance
It’s important to know which pediatricians will take your health insurance, as this can be a major factor for many parents. If you have questions, call your insurance company or ask our office for more information. We work with both insured and non-insured patients to make sure their children get the care they need.
Consider the Services and Benefits Different Pediatricians Offer
Does your pediatrician offer urgent appointments? Are they available seven days a week? Does your pediatrician offer telemedicine visits, so you don’t even have to leave the house? These are all questions to ask yourself and factors to consider when deciding which pediatrician is right for you. You want a doctor who is there to answer your questions, address urgent medical matters and provide you with appointments that work best with your schedule.
We Can Help
The pediatricians at 7 Days Pediatrics are dedicated to providing high-quality medical care to children and teens living in and around South Plainfield and Edison, NJ. We also offer telemedicine visits, which make it easy to address minor illnesses and injuries without having to come into the office. To schedule a telemedicine appointment, call us at (732) 548-3210.