Questions
Questions for your paediatrician
This site has no doctors answering readers and no form for submitting questions. The most useful person to talk to is the paediatrician who looks after your child and sees them in person. So that an appointment doesn't end with 'oh, I forgot to ask', we have collected questions that are worth writing down in advance. The notes under each one explain why it is useful, but they do not replace the doctor's answer.
A list of questions on a piece of paper is the sign of an attentive parent, not an anxious one. It is easier for the doctor to help when they understand exactly what concerns you.
How this section works: these are questions for your own paediatrician. We do not make diagnoses, assess symptoms or answer personal questions, and there is no contact form on the site. The notes simply show what is worth talking about.
At a routine check-up
How is my child growing and developing compared with what is expected for their age?
The doctor assesses development using many signs at once. Ask them to explain in plain words what they see and whether there is anything worth keeping an eye on at home.
Which specialists and tests should we expect in the near future?
In Russia, preventive check-ups for children follow a procedure approved by the Ministry of Health; other countries have their own programmes. Your paediatrician will tell you what is planned for your child's age and how to prepare.
What should I watch for at home before the next visit?
This question helps you leave the appointment with a clear plan for what to observe rather than a vague sense of worry.
When should I call you, and when should I call an ambulance straight away?
A doctor who knows your child can name the signs that mean you should contact them and those that mean you must not wait. Write the answer down and keep it somewhere visible.
About vaccinations
Which vaccinations under the national schedule are coming up for us?
In Russia, the national schedule is approved by an order of the Ministry of Health; elsewhere, your country's own schedule applies. Your paediatrician will check your child's vaccination record and explain what is planned and when.
How should I prepare my child for a vaccination, and what should I watch for afterwards?
Ask the doctor to describe how the day after a vaccination usually goes, what counts as expected and when you should call them.
What should we do if we have missed a vaccination date?
This happens, for example because of illness or a move. Your paediatrician will advise how to calmly continue with the schedule.
How can I discuss my doubts about vaccinations?
If you have questions or concerns, raise them openly: this is a normal part of talking with your doctor. They will explain what the recommendations are based on and how they apply to your child.
About sleep and development
Is my child getting enough sleep for their age?
Show the doctor your notes on night-time sleep and naps. The WHO guides give ranges, and your paediatrician will help you understand whether everything is fine for your child in particular.
Is it normal for my child to wake often at night?
Night wakings happen for different reasons. Don't try to guess them yourself: describe to the doctor how and when they happen.
How much movement does my child need, and what activities would suit them?
The general WHO guides are well known, but your paediatrician will take into account your child's age, temperament and health and suggest where to start.
I'm worried my child is doing something later than their peers. What do you think?
Children develop at their own pace, but it is better to voice any concern than to keep it to yourself. The doctor will assess the situation and tell you whether anything else is needed.
Read next
- Prevention
How to settle your child's daily routine in two weeks: steps, illustrative examples, common mistakes and a sleep-by-age table.
- Glossary
Plain-language explanations of words you hear from the paediatrician and read in guidelines: check-ups, vaccinations, sleep, research.
- Methods
General approaches to sleep, outdoor play and a safe home, plus when to call your paediatrician and when to call emergency services.
Sources
- Russian Ministry of Health Order No. 1122n of 6 December 2021
- Russian Ministry of Health Order No. 514n of 10 August 2017
- World Health Organization: 2019 guidelines
Information checked as of the date of preparation. WHO guidelines, the Russian national vaccination schedule and the rules for children's check-ups are updated from time to time, and other countries have their own schedules and programmes, so check the details for your child with your paediatrician.