What is a Pediatrician?

A pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of children. Pediatricians have undergone special training in the health and illnesses of infants, teens and young adults, and the majority of pediatricians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics after passing a comprehensive exam.

Pediatricians provide preventive health care for children in good health and medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill. They also provide parents with support and advice with issues such as growth and development, safety and prevention, nutrition, and emotional wellness to nurture a lifetime of good health.

Can I meet with the pediatrician before my baby is born?

Yes, in fact we strongly encourage parents-to-be to visit our office for a prenatal appointment. This is a great way to get acquainted with our office and our doctor. During this visit, we will answer any questions that you have about our practice or your new child.

What insurance plans to you accept?

Please see Our Services to find insurances accepted at Advanced Pediatric Care.

What is the best way to schedule an appointment with your office?

You can schedule an appointment by calling our office during regular business hours. Visit Contact Us.

Is your office accepting new patients?

Yes, we always welcome new patients. Contact our office for additional information or request an appointment.

Do you allow walk-in appointments?

Yes, we welcome walk-in patients.

What should I do if I have a question after hours?

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please see After Hours and Emergencies to find more details.

What is the schedule of well child checks/shot visits? How often should my child see the pediatrician?

Your child should not only visit the pediatrician for an illness. It is also important to schedule well-child-care exams regularly, beginning in infancy. These routine examinations allows the doctor to observe the progress of your child's physical and mental growth and development; to counsel and teach parents; to detect problems through screening tests; to provide immunizations, and to get to know one another. Well-care visits are strongly recommended as part of preventive pediatric care. Well-child visits are also a good time for parents to raise questions and concerns about a child's development, behavior, nutrition, safety and overall well-being.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this schedule for routine well-care visits:
-          3 newborn visit 2-3 days after discharge from the hospital,

-          1 month

-          2 months

-          4 months

-          6 months

-          9 months

-          12 months

-          15 months

-          18 months

-          24 months

-          30 months

-          3 years

-          4 years

-          And once every year thereafter for an annual health supervision visit that includes a physical exam as well as a developmental, behavioral, and learning assessment.

Why does my child need to receive vaccinations?

Vaccines protects your child against many illnesses in the community. Immunizations are a series of shots given to children at different ages to help ward off serious, communicable, and potentially fatal childhood diseases. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%. If you're apprehensive about vaccinations, please do not hesitate to contact our office to discuss further.

What if I want my son circumcised?

A typical newborn circumcision is done on a baby boy who is less than a month old and less than 10 pounds. Newborns are circumcised in the hospital or office. Since the procedure is considered elective and cosmetic, most insurances may not cover the procedure. We do not offer circumcision services at the present time, however, you can discuss this with your OB.

How should I accurately dose over-the-counter medications?

Our board-certified doctor instructs parents to determine dosages by their child’s weight and not by their age. Please schedule an appointment to review and discuss correct dosages of over-the-counter medications with your child’s pediatrician.

Without first consulting your pediatrician, do not give medications such as Ibuprofen, Advil or Motrin for children under the age of 6 months. Similarly, do not give Acetaminophen/Tylenol to children under 2 months of age. Always check with your child’s pediatrician to ensure the correct dosage of medication.

When will antibiotics be prescribed for my child's illness?

We prescribe antibiotics for children with bacterial infections. Some viral infections may develop into bacterial infections (e.g. such as sinus or ear infections) also and may need antibiotics.  We do not prescribe antibiotics for children who suffer from illnesses such as the common cold.

Antibiotics present serious risks and carry potentially serious side effects, including severe diarrhea, allergic reactions, and developing bacterial-resistance due to inappropriate or overuse.

What should I know about my child's medicines?

Ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your child’s medicine or its dosage.  Also, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist to write down things that you need to know for each medicine your child takes. To avoid mistakes it is recommended that you read the label three times each time that you give a medicine to your child.