A pediatrician plays a very important role when it comes to the health of children. Babies require specialized care, and they will continue to do so until they are all grown up. While you can take a child to a regular doctor, a pediatrician is often better suited for working with small children. This is especially true when a child becomes fussy. Aside from this, a pediatrician stays up-to-date on the latest issues affecting children and may have more specialized knowledge than a regular doctor.
What is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician specializes in diagnosing and treating childhood illnesses and diseases. These doctors have three years of additional training in pediatrics after medical school.
Finding the right pediatrician is one of the most important decisions you have to make before having a baby.
When shopping for a pediatrician, the American Board of Pediatrics recommends going with someone who is board-certified. This requires the pediatrician to meet continued education requirements regularly to remain certified. The certification ensures that your doctor has the latest developments in treating children.
What do they do?
A pediatrician will attend to a child a few times per year from birth until the child reaches the age of two. After this, the pediatrician will continue to see the child once a year until they are an adult.
A pediatrician is qualified to:
- Perform physical examinations
- Administer vaccinations
- Monitor behavior and growth milestones
- Diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, infections or any other health issue
- Educate parents about proper nutrition and fitness needs
- Answer questions parents have regarding their child's growth
When should you find a pediatrician?
It might be helpful to find a pediatrician before giving birth. It will be one less thing to worry about once the baby arrives. Most hospitals will ask new parents if they have a pediatrician while the baby is being delivered. Some hospitals might allow the patient's pediatrician to examine the baby, while others require that the baby's first checkup be done by a hospital pediatrician.
Once the mother leaves the hospital, the pediatrician will see the child in about 48 to 72 hours. After this visit, they will establish a schedule to continue to monitor the child’s growth.
Does your child need a pediatrician?
While a regular doctor also has the qualifications to provide proper care for young children, many people opt for a pediatrician because they train to work with children. The medical knowledge is only one aspect of the care these doctors provide.
Young children can be difficult to work with or may not always be the most communicative about their issues. A pediatrician ensures children are comfortable and builds a personal relationship with them since birth. By seeing the same kid-friendly doctor at each visit, your child will trust their pediatrician and be more open to talking and learning about their health.
Get your child the highest level of care
Children have unique needs as they grow. From small injuries and vaccinations to serious illnesses, your child needs a doctor who is constantly learning about the best ways to care for children.
If you need a pediatrician in Houston, call our office to learn about our services.
Request an appointment here: https://www.emeraldpediatricandfamilyclinic.com or call Emerald Pediatric & Family Clinic at (281) 444-7726 for an appointment in our Houston office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
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