Buford Pediatrics :: For Parents

As a parent, especially if this is your first child, you are likely to have many questions along the way. This section is here to help answer some of the questions you may have.

1. For Parents

Question & Answer
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2. Expecting?

Whether you are expecting your first child or a new sibling, you may be wondering how to prepare for the big change that's coming.

Meet the Doctor

If this is your first child, or if you are changing doctors, consider making an appointment with Dr. Nimi prior to the birth of your child. These visits are free of charge and allow you to meet her, get answers to your questions, and tour the office.

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Question & Answer

Q: What is the usual schedule for well visits and vaccines?

Ans:

At Buford Pediatrics, children are seen at regular intervals to be sure that they are growing and developing normally. This allows us to identify any concerns early, when interventions give the biggest benefit. The routine schedule is outlined below.

Schedule

Birth
Doctor Nimi will see your child at the hospital. Hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given before going home.
1 week
This visits occurs between 4 to 7 days of age and is an important opportunity to check on the baby's transition to life at home. No vaccines are given.
3 week
At this visit, we check to be sure that feeding is going well and the baby is gaining weight. No vaccines are given.
2 months
The focus of this and all the visits that follow is to carefully review your child's development and growth. Your child will get three shots and one oral vaccine.
- One vaccine protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus (Lock Jaw which is acquired from exposure to bacteria that live in the soil), Pertussis (Whooping Cough which is still common in the US and is severe in infants), Polio (a virus that is uncommon in the US but still prevalent in some parts of the world), and Hepatitis B (a virus associated with chronic liver disease and liver cancer).
- One protects against Haemophilus Influenza B (a bacteria, unrelated to the flu virus, that causes meningitis and other severe infections in young children).
- One protects against Pneumococcus (the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in young children) .
- One, the oral vaccine, protects against Rotavirus (a virus which causes vomiting and dehydration and is more severe in young children).
4 months
Your child receives "booster shots" for the same vaccines that were given at 2 months.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Hepatitis B
- Haemophilus Influenza B
- Pneumococcus
- And oral Rotavirus vaccine
6 months
Your child receives "booster shots" for the same vaccines that were given at 2 and 4 months.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Hepatitis B
- Haemophilus Influenza B
- Pneumococcus
- And oral Rotavirus vaccine
9 months
As always, we carefully check growth and development. No vaccines are given.
12 months
We routinely check the blood for anemia and lead. Three shots are due:
- The last boosters for Haemophilus influenza B and Pneumococcus.
- The first vaccine for Hepatitis A (a food and water-borne virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea and liver inflammation).
15 months
Two shots are due:
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
18 months
This is the last of your child’s “baby shots”. Two booster shots are due:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis
- Hepatitis A
2 to 4 years
Annual visit to check growth and development. No vaccines are given unless earlier vaccines were not completed.
5 years
This is a very important visit to help be sure that your child is ready to start school. Three booster shots are due:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Polio
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- Varicella
6 to 10 years
Annual visit to check growth and development. No vaccines are given unless earlier vaccines were not completed.
11 years
Two shots are due for all children:
- A booster for Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis.
- Neisseria vaccine (to prevent the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in older kids and young adults).
- Girls will also be recommended to get Human Papillomavirus vaccine (to prevent most cases of cervical cancer). Two boosters are given over the following 6 months.
12 to 18 years
Annual visit to check growth and development. No vaccines are given unless earlier vaccines were not completed.

Q: What is the correct dose of fever reducing medicine?

Ans:

1. Tylenol (generic acetaminophen) can be used in children of all ages, including infants, though you are not likely to have a need for it before 2 months old. It is both a pain reliever and a fever reducer. It is the preferred medicine if your child has fever and an upset tummy because it is gentle on the lining of the stomach. Please see dosing chart below.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) dosing chart

2. Advil or Motrin (generic ibuprofen) is only used in children 6 months and older. It may start to work faster than Tylenol, last longer, and is especially good for inflamed things like earaches and sore throats. Advil can be mildly irritating to the lining of the stomach so it is not a good choice if your child seems to have a tummy ache.

Advil or Motrin Dosing Chart

1. For Parents

2. Expecting?

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Recommended reading - 2