1. A fever, by definition is a temperature above 100.4 degrees F, regardless of if your little one usually runs lower.
2. If you tell me they are running a low grade fever, I will assume, they are not febrile at all.
3. Ezcema, although can be very itchy, painful, can bleed and get infected, is not an emergency. Please do not go to your emergency room for this.
4. Smoking outside is not equivalent to not smoking at all. I realize quitting smoking is hard, but so is much of parenting- quitting is the best thing for your kids.
5. If your child's teacher says they are an angel at school, and they are a terror at home, you may want to look at your parenting techniques, not get them evaluated for ADHD.
6. Cough medicine in a child under 6 years of age is not recommended by the FDA, and has not been shown to be effective at all. Sometimes, there is nothing you can give your child to improve their cold. You can just love them, and pray that time will go faster.
7. Antibiotics are never, ever indicated for a viral illness.
8. Green mucus from the nose is not always an indication of a bacterial cause, it can be merely a natural progression of a cold.
9. Viruses take 7-14 days to improve.
10. An infant who grunts while pooping, but produces soft stool, is not constipated. Babies don't have to poop daily.
11. There have been zero studies to prove that immunizations cause autism. In fact, there is overwhelming evidence against it. There are side effects of immunizations- usually a mild fever, soreness at the area, a small red lump at injection site. The serious side effects or complications, are extremely rare. I am pro-immunization and countless studies have been done on their safety. The immunization side effects are minimal compared to the horrible diseases they prevent, that still exist in the world. I immunized my son.
12. I will not refuse to see a child whose parents have chosen to not immunize. It is their decision.
13. Not everything you read on the internet is true.
14. If you call me at 2 a.m. to tell me that your child has some red skin or other nonpainful problem, I will try to answer your questions without asking you why you just noticed this at 2 a.m.
15. Juice really adds little nutritionally to your child's diet. It is mostly sugar (even 100% juice) and whole fruit are a better choice. Your child really could just drink water instead, or water down the juice. The exception to this: juice can produce diarrhea, so can be helpful in constipation.
16. Go with your gut, I have seen countless instances where the parent's sixth sense was right. If you think your child needs to be seen, take them in, regardless of what someone tells you on the internet or phone.
17. Never hesitate to ask questions, there is no stupid question, even if it is on an aforementioned item!
There are more, but these are the ones that were forefront on my mind this afternoon. P.S. If I'm not at work, I generally don't judge or think about your medical decisions concerning your own child, so don't think this is a message to anyone in particular.
