When your child is sick, you will naturally want to give them the very best care possible. While seeing a pediatrician for exams or more serious matters may be necessary from time to time, at-home care can also be a great way to get your child feeling their best. By utilizing both pediatric care and at-home preparation, your child's health and overall wellness will be prioritized. Here are just a few wellness tips that you can start practicing right now to ensure your child's health is protected!

Keep Up with Wellness Exams

From the time your child is born and throughout their childhood, they will need regular wellness exams. Typically spaced months and, eventually, years apart, wellness exams will be a great opportunity to speak with your child's pediatrician regarding their growth progress, behavioral milestones, and overall health. Depending on the age of your child, vaccines may be in order to guarantee their protection and boost their immune system. Lab work, including a blood draw, may sometimes be encouraged to more closely look at your child's levels and make the appropriate recommendations moving forward for their optimal health. Wellness exams should never be skipped and will be a great way for you and your child to have a continuous relationship with the pediatrician and medical staff. 

When to See the Doctor

There may be times in between appointments when a doctor's visit may be necessary. Unexplained rashes, high fevers, troubling coughing spells, and lingering colds are just a few examples of conditions that will need further care. If you are unsure whether to take your child to the doctor, simply call the nurse line and ask for assistance. With this convenient service, a nurse will speak with you regarding your child's symptoms and what course of action you will need to take. If you do need to make a trip to see your doctor, be sure to make a list of any current medications you have been administering to help reduce symptoms and bring a comfort item like a soft blanket or plushie for your child. 

Stay Stocked Up

Alongside regularly seeing the pediatrician for required visits, it's also a great idea to be prepared at home. Keeping a stockpile of medical supplies and over-the-counter medicines is an excellent way you can be ready for in-home treatment when appropriate. A few examples of over-the-counter meds that are recommended to always keep on hand would be fever and pain reducers, allergy medication that would help with inflammation, cough syrup, and cold medicine. These medicines will give your child the relief they need in the case of mild illnesses that do not require additional care by a doctor. Extra medical supplies such as thermometers, gauze, bandages, ointment, and safety scissors will also come in handy for when your child may be running a fever or has a small cut or burn. 

Contact a pediatric care facility for more information.