While we may not love it, all kids are going to act up, throw tantrums and be irritable at times; however, if your child is displaying negative actions and behaviors regularly, you may be concerned that there is something more going on. Is your child just “going through a phase” or is this a sign of a more serious problem?Is This Normal Behavior?
- Being defiant
- Lying
- Whining
- Impulsivity
- Issues around bedtime
- Issues around food (being a “picky eater” or refusing to eat)
- Anger
- Temper tantrums
- Are still occurring regardless of discipline or punishment
- Are affecting their schoolwork and/or social interactions
- Aren’t appropriate for their age (e.g. throwing temper tantrums as an older child)
- Aggressive or violent behavior
- Harm to self, others, or animals
- Hearing or seeing things that aren’t there
- Breaking the rules or skipping school
- Sudden or extreme behavioral changes
- Showing no remorse
Pediatricians come equipped to handle and address any issues regarding your child’s health, and this includes behavioral concerns you may have as a parent. If your pediatrician believes that a developmental, neurological, or mental health disorder could be to blame, then they may recommend additional testing and evaluations. This is done either through their practice or with a specific specialist who can properly diagnose and treat certain conditions such as depression, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorder.
Based on the results of your child’s screening, your pediatrician will then be able to create a custom treatment plan to help you and your child manage their condition and their symptoms. Your pediatrician can also refer your child to therapists and other specialists who can also provide additional support and treatment for the whole family.
If you’re having concerns about your child’s behavior, it’s best to talk with your pediatrician at your child’s next wellness checkup.
Has your child recently been diagnosed with asthma? Yes, it's a serious, chronic lung condition, but your youngster (and you) can live well with it by being proactive. At Downers Grove Pediatrics in Bolingbrook and Downers Grove IL, our six pediatricians and their dedicated team help families do just that. Here's the information you need.
What is asthma?
Asthma is an inflammatory lung condition that affects millions of people across the globe. The American Lung Association says that asthmatic children typically develop symptoms and receive the diagnosis by age five. Often, these kids also have a first-degree relative with asthma, have co-existing health conditions such as allergies and eczema, and develop symptoms such as:
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness and shortness of breath
- Coughing, particularly at night
- Fatigue
- Pallor
These symptoms develop because of airway inflammation and the rapid and copious production of mucus in the lungs.
Symptoms, lung function tests, breath sounds, and chest X-rays confirm the diagnosis. Your Bolingbrook, IL pediatrician comprises individualized care plans for their asthma patients.
Often called asthma action plans, these strategies help children, parents, caregivers, teachers, and others cope in the event of escalating symptoms. Daily, a care plan assists families in warding off symptoms before they even begin.
Living with asthma
Here are some practical tips to keep your child breathing well:
- Identify your child's allergic triggers. Your Bolingbrook, IL pediatrician can help you do that with allergy testing. Once you know what sets off an asthma attack, you can minimize or avoid your child's exposure.
- Get your child an annual flu shot at Downers Grove Pediatrics.
- Know about your child's routine and rescue medications. If he or she is old enough, make sure they carry an inhaler and know how to use it. Plus, they must receive their long-term control meds as prescribed.
- Keep track of peak flow, the measure of how much air your child exhales in one breath. Decreasing peak flow can indicate an upcoming asthma attack.
- See your pediatrician for well-child visits annually, keeping up on vaccinations, and calling the office for a sick visit or any time you have a question or concern about your youngster's breathing.
We want to help
Any chronic health condition, such as asthma, can be challenging. That's why our professional staff at Downers Grove Pediatrics is available to help families stay well. For more information, or if you need an appointment, call our pediatricians at either location. For Bolingbrook IL, phone (630) 759-9230. In Downers Grove, call us at (630) 852-4551.
To ensure that your child grows up healthy and strong, they need to see a pediatrician for regular check-ups, screenings, and vaccines. These well-child visits are incredibly important for your child’s health and wellbeing and begin within the first week after your child is born. Since your child will be visiting a pediatrician regularly, you must find one that fits your family’s needs. Even before your baby is born you should shop around for a pediatrician so that once your baby comes into the world you can start giving them the routine check-ups and care they need for a healthy and long life.Getting Regular Check-ups
These check-ups are also important for parents, as it gives them a chance to ask questions they may have about their child’s sleeping and eating habits, or other behaviors their child may be displaying. During your child’s regular pediatric checkups, your doctor will check your child’s height, weight, vision, and hearing. These visits begin within the first five days after birth and will continue at:
- 1 month old
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old
- 9 months old
- 12 months old
- 15 months old
- 18 months old
- 24 months old
- 30 months old
- 3 years old
Getting Vaccinated
Looking for a pediatrician? Need to schedule your child’s next check-ups? Our pediatric team is here to address any questions and concerns you may have. From immunizations to sports injuries, we handle it all.
Regular physical activity is so important for your child’s health. If they have decided to start playing on a sports team this can also be a great way for them to build confidence and socialize. Of course, pediatricians also understand just how important it is to keep your little athlete healthy both on and off the field. If your child does sustain an injury your pediatrician may be the first person to help, so it’s important to find a pediatrician that you and your family trust.A pediatrician is an integral part of keeping your child healthy and safe while participating in sports. They can answer your questions and address any concerns you may have, as well as recommend certain conditioning and training exercises that can help with injury prevention. Your child should also be wearing the appropriate protective gear including a helmet when playing sports.
Your child should visit a pediatrician right away if you suspect that they have a broken bone, dislocation, concussion, or if they are dealing with severe pain or swelling. If your child is unable to walk or put weight on the affected leg, this is also a sign to see a pediatrician as soon as possible. The sooner sports injuries are addressed and properly treated the better.
So, your child’s teeth just started to come in. We know that this can be an exciting milestone for parents. Of course, this also means considering your child’s oral health. Just as you 
brush and floss your teeth every day, you will now need to begin brushing your child’s teeth. While the techniques and practices will be a bit different and probably less time-consuming (seeing as your child probably only has one or two teeth at the moment), here are some tips for how to brush your child’s teeth properly,
- Even before your child’s teeth start to erupt it’s important to keep their gums healthy and clean by wiping them with a soft, damp cloth after each feeding and right before bedtime. Your child will get their first tooth between 6-14 months.
- Yes, even children’s teeth can develop decay. As soon as the tooth is formed it can develop decay, so it’s important that you start brushing it as soon as you see it.
- Purchase a child-sized toothbrush from your local drugstore and wet the soft-bristled toothbrush with water to brush your child’s tooth or teeth (at this point you don’t need toothpaste).
- Your child won’t start needing toothpaste until they are 2 years old. From 2-3 years old your child only needs toothpaste the size of a grain of rice in order to clean their teeth. After 3 years old, you can upgrade to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
- Just as you do for your own teeth, you should also brush your child’s teeth twice a day (once in the morning and again at night right before going to bed).
- Use soft, circular motions when brushing the teeth and the gums. Again, just as you do your own teeth, you should brush for a minimum of two minutes. Don’t forget to brush their tongue and roof of their mouth, too.
- We know that your child may not fully understand the brushing process, so it’s a good idea to tell them what you are doing and the importance of brushing their teeth. Even though they can’t brush their own teeth yet it’s still great to show them how to brush so that when it’s time to start brushing their own teeth they understand how to do it.
- Most children can start brushing their teeth around 7-8 years old, but still need to be supervised by an adult until around 10-11 years old.
Have questions about caring for your baby’s developing smile? Keeping your child’s smile healthy is so important for their development and practicing good oral hygiene at home will ensure that your child’s smile stays healthy.
This website includes materials that are protected by copyright, or other proprietary rights. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use, as defined in the copyright laws, requires the written permission of the copyright owners.