The pediatricians at Downer's Grove Pediatrics in Downer's Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, know that choosing a pediatrician for your child can be a little overwhelming. If you pick a name at random, you could find a wonderful pediatrician or one who just isn't the right fit for you and your family. Fortunately, these tips can help make your decision a little easier.
Make a list of pediatricians in your area
Decide how far you're willing to travel to see a pediatrician, then make a list of all the doctors in that area. For convenience's sake, look for a pediatrician whose office is close to your home, your job, and your child's school or daycare facility.
Ask for recommendations
Friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers are excellent sources for recommendations. In addition to asking for names of doctors, find out why your friend recommends a particular pediatrician and what he or she thinks of the office in general. Are the staff friendly? Can they make appointments easily? If you're pregnant, your OB/GYN can probably make a few recommendations.
Check your healthcare insurer's list of providers
Most healthcare plans include a list of participating doctors on their websites. The list can be a good starting point or help you narrow down your choices after you receive a few recommendations. (Since websites aren't always updated immediately, it's a good idea to make insurance coverage the first question you ask when calling pediatricians in the Downer's Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, areas.)
Visit a few offices
Once you've found a few good choices, call the offices and ask if you and your children can come by for an informational visit. During the visit, you can meet the doctors and office staff and ask a few questions, including:
- Are same-day appointments available for sick children?
- How long is the wait for well-child visits?
- What is the best way to contact the office if you have a question - phone, email or patient portal?
- How long have the doctors been practicing pediatrics? Do they have special areas of interest or specific ages they prefer to treat?
Do you need to find a pediatrician for your child? The Downer's Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, doctors at Downer's Grove Pediatrics offer caring, compassionate healthcare services for children of all ages. Call (630) 759-9230 to schedule an appointment at the Bolingbrook office or (630) 852-4551 to reach the Downer's Grove office.
A fever is one of the biggest concerns that parents have when it comes to their infant or child. We understand that a fever can sometimes be considered an emergency and you’ll need prompt medical attention. Of course, the good news is that often a fever will improve on its own. Know when your child’s fever warrants seeing their pediatrician for care.What is considered a fever?
A healthy body temperature is 98.6 F; however, many things can elevate a person’s temperature including intense exercise, so not all temperature fluctuations mean that your child is sick; however, an illness or infection can certainly shift your body’s temperature as it works to fight off the bacteria or virus.
What can cause a fever?
There are quite a few reasons why your child might be dealing with a fever. Some common causes include:
- Viral infections (e.g. cold; flu)
- Bacterial infections
- Severe sunburns
- Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
- Inflammatory health problems
- Side effects of certain medications
A fever that develops in an infant (babies under 3 months old) is often a far more serious matter than fevers in children. If your infant develops a fever of 100.4 F or over, it’s highly recommended that you bring them to your pediatrician right away for care.
When to seek medical attention for your child’s fever?
By the age of 3 years old, most children will have developed at least one fever. While some fevers won’t be anything to worry about and will go away on their own, it is important to know when your child’s fever requires medical attention. You should call your pediatrician if:
- Your child’s fever persists for more than 5 days
- The fever is over 104 F
- Your child has symptoms of dehydrated
- Medications aren’t helping to reduce their fever
Once you have a baby, many things will change in your life, and you want to do everything possible to make sure that your baby is healthy and happy. Part of making sure that your baby is healthy is making sure that you have a doctor to care for them and help you with any issues you may run into. Your pediatricians at Downers Grove Pediatrics in Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, can explain how a newborn doctor can help you care for your child.
Finding a Doctor for Your Newborn
When it comes to caring for your newborn, it isn’t something you should ever have to do alone. You want to find a newborn doctor in Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, that you can fully trust and that has your child’s best interests in mind. A newborn doctor will be able to offer help in any situation and can help you make the best choices for your child.
Picking a newborn doctor is also important because care for your child starts as soon as they are born. Your doctor can start caring for them in the hospital once they’re born and they’ll start working right away by giving your child their first immunization.
Having a newborn doctor can help your child feel comfortable visiting their doctor as they get older since they’ll be comfortable with their pediatrician and their doctor will have a comprehensive understanding of their medical history since they will have been working with your child for years.
Contact Your Newborn Doctor Today!
It’s never too early to find a doctor that can help care for your child just as you would. Contact your pediatricians at Downers Grove Pediatrics in Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, to learn about how a newborn doctor can help take care of your child. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment today at (630) 852-4551 for the office in Downers Grove, IL, and (630) 759-9230 for the office in Bolingbrook, IL.
When bacteria enter the bladder or the kidneys this can result in a urinary tract infection. Unfortunately, UTIs are quite common in infants and kids, so it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms so that you can turn to your child’s pediatrician for treatment. After all, a urinary tract infection will not get better without treatment.There are Two Main Types of Urinary Tract Infections
Children can develop either an upper or a lower urinary tract infection. An upper infection impacts the bladder while a lower infection impacts the kidneys. Some symptoms may be similar, but there are distinguishable differences between the two. Urinary tract infections can be caused by various bacteria, but seven main types of bacteria are most likely to cause UTIs. The bacteria that accounts for the majority of UTIs in children is E. coli.
Know the Risk Factors for Childhood UTIs
If your child has been on antibiotics for a long period of time, or if they have a weakened immune system, these are factors that could increase their risk for developing a UTI. It’s important to speak with their pediatrician to discuss ways to lessen their risk for these infections, particularly if they are dealing with frequent infections. Sometimes, structural abnormalities within the urinary tract can be to blame for UTIs.
Recognize the Signs and Symptoms
To ensure that your child gets the proper medical attention when necessary, you first need to be able to spot the warning signs of a UTI. It can be a bit more challenging to recognize these symptoms in infants and young children who may not be able to tell you the symptoms and issues they are experiencing. UTIs in babies may cause:
- Abdominal pain
- Strong-smelling urine
- Fever
- Increased irritability
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite (fewer feedings)
- Exhaustion
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- An increased urgency or need to go to the bathroom
- Pain with urination
- Wetting the bed
- Strong-smelling urine
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood in the urine
- Lower back pain (more common in lower urinary tract infections)
It’s not typically common for infants to have issues with constipation; however, sometimes it happens. While many babies won’t deal with constipation they may have irregular bowel movements as their bodies naturally try to adjust to a set schedule. If you are concerned it’s always best to talk with your child’s pediatrician. Recognize the real signs of constipation in your infant.Know the Warning Signs
For your child to truly be dealing with constipation, here are some of the warning signs:
- Stools that are hard to pass
- Infrequent stools
- Excessive straining or straining more than normal
- Swollen belly with gas
- Painful stomach cramps
- Stools that resemble small hard pellets, as well as stools that are too soft
- Diarrhea-like stools
For an adult, they may simply take an over-the-counter laxative to help them go, but treating constipation in infants is different. You never want to give them an over-the-counter laxative or suppository unless otherwise told by your pediatrician. If your child is old enough to eat solid or strained foods, you may want to increase their fruits and vegetables to increase fiber intake.
If your infant is too young for strained food, give them just a couple of ounces of prune or apple juice each day to see if that helps soften the stools. If the stools are too loose, lessen the amount of juice you’re giving them.
When to See a Pediatrician
It’s important that you call your pediatrician if you are ever concerned about your infant’s health. No question is a silly one, especially when it comes to your child. You should call your pediatrician if you notice blood in your baby’s stool, if home remedies do not improve their constipation, or if your baby is fussy due to stomach cramping or pain.
If your little one is having trouble going to the bathroom, a pediatrician will be able to provide you with the answers you need, as well as tips for how to best address the issue. A pediatrician is going to be invaluable, especially for new parents, as they navigate parenthood. Talk to your pediatrician today.
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