When Would You Take Your Kiddo to The Doctor?

[Military Mom]

Question to all of you mommies and daddies:

At what point do you consider your kids sick enough for a doctor visit?

My 6 month old is fighting off his first cold. He has been sneezing, coughing, etc. His nose ran for a few days (clear, not green or yellow), now he is coughing - somewhat productive. Can't tell what color the stuff is that he's coughing up. He has felt a little warm to me a few times, but when I take his temp, he is never more than 99.5 or so. He's as active as ever, not at all lethargic.

What complicates things is that right now, I am in the middle of getting insurance set up for him. (my job has no benefits, isn't that wonderful?) I don't want to be one of those moms who stuffs their kids full of anitbiotics as soon as they so much as sniffle, but I also don't want him to get too sick!

You'd think a nurse would know how to take care of her own son, huh? Well, as a first time mommy, I feel a bit clueless and could use some expert advice here! Anyone? :)

mm and Andy

[momofnine]

You can't be a mom and a nurse - at least I can't! I'll take my son to the MD and he'll glare at me and say "you KNOW he's wheezing!!" and I'll tell him that this child is my son, not my patient. I only know lung sounds of folks over sixty! :) I'm not a doctor! I still get concerned when they are six months or younger and I take them to the doctor if they have a personality or behavior change. My doctor always wants to give out ABTS "just in case" but I don't always give them. If your little guy is behaving normally I wouldn't worry unless he spikes a temp! Isn't it awful when they get sick? Hope all is well real soon!

[Military Mom]

Well, we ended up in the ER last night! He was wheezing and vomiting. So, I took him in to be seen. The doctor said he is fine :) But I felt kinda dumb, having worked in the ER (especially the peds part) and so unsure of myslef with my son. I'd rather be too cautious than have a really sick baby on my hands.

Thanks so much momofnine, for your expertese - you are right - it's difficult trying to wear both hats of mom and nurse at the same time. You'd think it would make us smarter, but NOOOOOOO ! lol!

Anyway, he's got an ear infection, and a URI. He's much better today.

And to think, I used to make fun of moms like me. :) I have more sympathy now.

mm

[Freezerwaffle]

Military Mom, I know just how ya feel! When my 7 year old was a baby he got croup alot & all kinds of crud. Being a first time mom, I called my peds office quite a bit & had a few visits to the ER. At one point, he had RSV & wound up in the hospital. I felt so good that I had decided to take him in!

I say, just use your God given instinct! (they were right this time weren't they?) If you feel strongly you should take your child to be seen then do it. Even if there's nothing majorly wrong, it's worth the trouble just to have the peace of mind!

Hope he feels better soon!

[jamesglewisf]

We probably take our kid to the doctor when we don't need to. The problem is that she gets ear infections pretty easily from colds. Sometimes she gets ear infections and has no other symptoms other than being tired and snuggly.