When a family is considering options for their child’s medical care, they may wonder if there are benefits to pediatric care. Well, pediatric care provides several benefits for infants, toddlers, young children, and their parents. Receiving regular checkups by a pediatrician is one of the first steps toward a child receiving appropriate care. Since the parents no longer need to spend hours driving to the doctor or hospital, getting in-house care can eliminate much stress.
Some of the most common examples of children who may benefit from continuing pediatric care include babies born before they’re due to weigh six pounds or more, weighing less than four pounds. Babies with abnormally low birth weights require special considerations when it comes to feeding and health care. Parents should be aware of these issues as soon as possible, as they may pose a danger to the infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics has created a pediatric feeding guidelines manual, which it describes as a “feeding bible,” emphasizing early detection and proper nutrition.
Parents seek medical consultation from Baymeadows Pediatric Care once their babies have reached the first birthday. One of the most important aspects of that consultation, according to many experts, is a visit to a family doctor. Family doctors are familiar with developmental patterns, medical history, nutritional needs, and other important factors that affect a child’s growth and development. Additionally, family doctors can help parents monitor their infant’s development and provide advice concerning any concerns. In many cases, pediatricians have a hand in determining what services and/or tests may be recommended for your child.
Developmental screenings are also often recommended for infants—these screenings determine if a child is having problems meeting their particular needs. By well-informed decisions regarding treatment and education, families can ensure their child’s greatest possible medical and mental well-being. A pediatrician provides invaluable information regarding such screenings as well-child care, immunizations, fetal development, newborn care, and delivery. A pediatrician’s primary goal is to provide children with the best start in life, beginning with prenatal care and extending through childhood and into adulthood.
Children who receive medical home care are at the greatest risk for developing illnesses and conditions later in life. The vast majority of medical home services begin with well-child care, which includes vaccinations and prenatal care. As a parent, you can be instrumental in providing these critical services for your child. A medical home team offers comprehensive health care and emotional support not offered by a standard family physician or pediatricians.
Pediatric hospitals are the primary source of treatment for extremely sick children. The treatment provided by pediatric hospitals is often more extensive than that provided by a general hospital. Pediatric hospitals are also more expensive because of their specialized services and the specialized equipment used in their care. These hospitals are a relatively new concept in medicine but are quickly becoming commonplace across the United States and worldwide.
Many people do not realize that there is a difference between children’s hospitals and children’s dentists. Dentists can only take care of children’s oral health; however, a pediatric dentist can diagnose and treat all kinds of dental problems, including issues with their mouths. Because infections cause many cases of oral problems in children, it is important to have a pediatric dentist involved in any type of infection that your child may have. Infectious diseases often spread from person to person. A pediatrician can connect between infected individuals and those with illnesses that can spread through their teeth.
Finally, some parents choose to turn to pediatric home care. This includes putting their children on an exclusive feeding program and offering daily physical therapy. Infants and toddlers who are having difficulty walking, cannot sit up or reach certain objects, or have delayed development can benefit greatly from daily in-home physical therapy programs. This form of in-pediatric home care often includes the assistance of a physical therapist who can work with your child to develop strength and muscle control. Because these programs are not as extensive as those offered by a general pediatric hospital, many infants and toddlers do not receive the level of medical attention that they would need if they were in a hospital setting.