Pediatricians specialize in treating children usually from birth to 18 years. If you are looking for a pediatrician in Jacksonville, FL, you can count on Dr. Alexandra Kostur and Dr. Roman Criollo of Jacksonville Kids Pediatrics to provide both well appointments and ill appointments when your child is not feeling their best.
The first pediatric visit most parents have is just a few days after the birth of their child. Your baby will be examined in the hospital, but it is reassuring to have your own pediatrician examine your baby and make you feel confident that everything is okay. This is the beginning of a relationship that will develop over the years.
Well visits
Your pediatrician in Jacksonville, FL will see your baby about 6 times during their first year. This begins at 2 weeks and continues with visits at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months. These visits will track your child's growth and development. Your child will also begin a series of vaccinations that will continue throughout most of their childhood.
If your pediatrician notices any developmental issues, they will discuss them with you and present you with the treatment options. By maintaining regular well visits, the chances are that any problems will be spotted early, and the earlier treatment begins, the better chance of a positive outcome.
Sick visits
Knowing when to call your pediatrician is stressful. As a new parent, you want to call anytime the baby makes a sound you don't recognize. It is not unusual, especially with a first child, to call the pediatrician's office frequently. But, there are some criteria you can use for things that require a sick visit and what doesn't.
These are some reasons you may want to call your pediatrician for a sick visit:
- A baby less than two months old has a fever over 100.4 F
- Children have a temp over 104 F
- Your child has had a fever for more than 2 days
- Your child is grabbing at their ear and crying
- Diarrhea with or without vomiting
- Vomiting lasting 24 hours
- Abdominal pain
- Unusual rash
- Trouble breathing
- Severe headache
- Difficulty swallowing
- Any trauma
Physicals
Another reason to visit the pediatrician is a physical, either for school or for sports.
For some issues like dislocations or broken bones, you may want to go to the emergency room.
When you need a pediatrician in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Kostur and Dr. Criollo of Jacksonville Kids Pediatrics will work with you to make sure your child has optimum health. Our mission is to partner with parents for the benefit of their children. Give our office a call at (904) 446-9991 for an appointment or use our new patient portal.