Question 1

When should I take my child to the emergency department instead of waiting for a clinic visit?

Accepted Answer

Seek immediate medical attention if your child:
Has difficulty breathing or is breathing very fast.
Is difficult to wake up or unusually sleepy.
Has a seizure.
Has blue lips or tongue.
Has severe dehydration: very little urine, no tears, very dry mouth.
Has persistent vomiting with inability to keep fluids down.
Has a fever in a baby younger than 3 months.
Has severe injury or uncontrolled bleeding.

If you are unsure, it is always safer to seek medical advice promptly.

Question 2

Does every fever need antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

No.

Most fevers in children are caused by viral infections, which do not improve with antibiotics. Antibiotics are only prescribed when a bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed.

The temperature itself is less important than how your child looks and behaves.

Question 3

How high is too high for a fever?

Accepted Answer

The number on the thermometer is only one part of the picture.

A child with 39.5 C who is playful and drinking fluids may be less concerning than a child with 38 C who is lethargic and struggling to breathe.

Focus on your child's overall condition rather than the temperature alone.

Question 4

Should I wake my child to give fever medicine?

Accepted Answer

Usually not.

If your child is sleeping comfortably, it is generally okay to let them rest. Fever medicines are meant to improve comfort, not simply to lower the temperature.

Question 5

When should my baby start solid foods?

Accepted Answer

Most babies are ready around 6 months of age.

Signs of readiness include:
Good head control
Sitting with support
Interest in food
Ability to swallow food rather than pushing it out

Breastfeeding should continue alongside complementary feeding.

Question 6

How long should I breastfeed?

Accepted Answer

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months.

Breastfeeding should continue along with complementary foods until at least 2 years of age, or longer if mother and child wish.

Question 7

My child is not eating well. Should I worry?

Accepted Answer

Poor appetite is common, especially between 1 and 5 years of age.

If your child is:
Growing well
Active
Meeting developmental milestones

then occasional picky eating is usually normal.

Avoid forcing meals. Offer healthy foods regularly and let your child decide how much to eat.

Question 8

Does teething cause fever?

Accepted Answer

Teething may cause:
Mild discomfort
Increased drooling
Irritability

However, teething does not cause high fever, severe diarrhea, or serious illness.

These symptoms should be evaluated for another cause.

Question 9

Are vaccines safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Vaccines undergo extensive testing before approval and are continuously monitored for safety.

The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks and help protect both your child and the community from serious diseases.

Question 10

What should I do if my child misses a vaccine?

Accepted Answer

Most vaccines do not need to be restarted.

Your pediatrician can create a catch-up schedule so your child receives the remaining doses as soon as possible.

Question 11

How often should healthy children have check-ups?

Accepted Answer

Regular well-child visits help monitor:
Growth
Development
Nutrition
Vision and hearing
Vaccinations
General health

Even healthy children benefit from routine preventive visits.

Question 12

How much screen time is recommended?

Accepted Answer

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time except for video calls.
18-24 months: Only high-quality content with a caregiver.
2-5 years: Around one hour per day of high-quality programming.
Older children: Encourage a healthy balance between screens, sleep, physical activity, and family time.

Question 13

When should I worry about my child's growth?

Accepted Answer

Consult your pediatrician if your child:
Is not gaining weight appropriately.
Is losing weight.
Is much shorter than expected.
Has stopped growing.
Has a rapidly increasing or decreasing head size during infancy.

Growth is best assessed using standardized growth charts over time.

Question 14

Can I give over-the-counter cough medicines to young children?

Accepted Answer

Generally, no.

Cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children younger than 4 years because they offer little benefit and may cause side effects.

Frequently asked questions