Many new parents usually ask this question. What are the benefits of using a Silver Spring MD pediatrician for your child? Today we will look at the benefits of using a pediatrician for your child. But before we discuss that, first, it is necessary to understand the difference between a pediatrician and family doctor.

A family doctor diagnoses and treats health issues of patients of any age usually adults whereas a pediatrician is a special type of doctor who is expert in diagnosing and treating health issues of infants, toddlers, adolescents, and adults up to age 18 or 21. A pediatrician has attended a 3-year residency program in pediatrics; on the other hand, a family doctor spends six months on pediatric training.

A pediatrician plays a very important role in promoting the health and development of your child. Here are the key benefits of using a pediatrician in Silver Spring, MD for your child:

Expert in child health

Pediatricians are experts in child health. They are highly trained in assessing, detecting, diagnosing, preventing, and treating child health issues. A pediatrician can treat minor injuries to serious health issues, including, asthma, allergy, diabetes, cholesterol, anemia, obesity, and flu. Pediatricians focus only on maintaining the health of babies, children, teenagers, and adults up to age 18. Therefore, they are better equipped to take care of your child’s health than a general family doctor. There are rare chances that pediatrician practices outside his or her area of specialization.

Ability to deal with kids at their level

This is the major perk of visiting a pediatrician in Silver Spring, MD for your child. Pediatricians know exactly how to deal with infants and children with ease. As pediatricians work only with children, they have a keen eye and easily catch potential issues early on which are very important for well being of the child. Also, pediatricians’ offices and waiting rooms are children friendly which makes visiting the doctor super comfortable for your child and relieves the stress and nervousness of the appointment.

Promote good health and development

A pediatrician sees your child many times from birth to age 2 ½, and once a year after the age 3 to 18 for annual checkups. The purpose of these well-child visits is to promote good health, give vaccination for preventive care, and ensure that the child is growing at the right pace and achieving development milestones at the right time. During a well-child visit, your child gets scheduled immunization and goes through screening and assessment as recommended by the periodicity schedule.

Keep Track of Records

Your pediatrician keeps records of all the visits of your child including sick visits and well-child visits since his or her birth. Usually, pediatricians have online patient portals where all the information of child visits is present. Hence, you do not have to worry about keeping the record of child visits and flu shots your child has received. You can easily access all the information by logging into the patient portal on your pediatrician’s website.

Guidance on child health and development

A pediatrician educates parents about the child’s health, safety, nutrition, and fitness needs. Your pediatrician provides you guidance on the growth and development of your child. You can also ask questions about your little one’s growth and development, and seek the advice of your pediatrician. Pediatricians also provide anticipatory guidance to the parents that help them reading child and locating potential issues early on.

Know your child’s medical history

Last but not least; your pediatrician knows your child since birth or at least for many years. So, when it comes to sports physicals, chronic ailments, travel vaccines, and sick child visits, there is no one can who can better examine your child. Your pediatrician knows your child very well and his medical history, therefore, an ideal person to turn for reliable advice for your child’s health-related issues.

So these were key benefits of using a pediatrician for your child.

If you have not chosen your pediatrician in Silver Spring, MD for your child yet, it is the right time to start your research now.