Childhood Bumps, Bruises and Sickness: When to Consult Professionals

When To Use Home Remedies & When to Call in the Pros

When it comes to our children’s health, being vigilant is really important. Kids get sick all the time, and with three under 8 years old, sometimes I feel like I am running to the doctor all the time. So, at times, I try to figure out whether I can treat the issue at home or whether I really need to take them in to see the doctor. The great thing is that because my kids have had pretty much every basic illness, I can often tell based on the severity of the situation when it is really important to take that to be seen by a professional. The obvious sicknesses or injuries are an easy decision, but what about those more ambiguous situations?

One of the main indicators that your child is sick is that they have a fever. As crazy as it sounds, a fever is a good thing because it means your child’s body is fighting the virus inside. Typically, the temperature and the age of your child determines whether or not you should call the doctor. The general advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics is that for babies under 3 months, any fever of 100.4° or higher is a reason to call, for 3-6 months, it’s 101° or higher and for over 6 months, it’s 103° or higher. Additionally, if the fever persists for more than a couple of days, your child is lethargic or has trouble breathing, or it won’t go down with fever-reducing medications, give your pediatrician a call.

Bumps and bruises are another set of issues that come with being a little kid. If your child has hurt themselves and the swelling does not reduce after a day, it is time to call the doctor. Additionally, if your child hits his head and gets really sleepy or begins vomiting, that can be a sign of a concussion and will need to be checked out by a professional.

Vomiting or diarrhea (or BOTH!) – aka “yucky tummy” is another unpleasant affliction of kids. The time to call the doctor is when it doesn’t stop and your child can’t keep any fluids down. That is when they run the risk of becoming dehydrated.

For coughs, colds, and sniffles, contact your pediatrician if your child has trouble breathing, doesn’t seem to be getting better after a week, or complains of ear pain (a possible ear infection).

Any difficulty swallowing or breathing is another reason to get medical help immediately. Whether it’s because of an allergic reaction or something else, you definitely want to have a pro checking your child.

If you are ever unsure, always call your pediatrician. That’s what they are there for. A good pediatric office will have a nurse who can field your questions and help you to determine the decision to make. When you are a parent, trusting your gut is important because you know your kids best.
 
 
Meet The Bella Behind the Blog: Kristen Farley is a mother of three and a domestic goddess. She is a former teacher who enjoys spending lots of time with her kids, healthy eating, volunteering at school, and mommy blogging for the masses.

Be on the lookout for more of Kristen’s expert advice and brilliant tips!