Raising a child is beautiful, challenging, rewarding, frustrating—all of the emotions! But whether you’re a parent by blood or choice, first-time or ‘seasoned veteran,’ figuring out how to do it all isn’t just exhausting; it’s impossible. That’s why you need a community, a support system, and a team of healthcare specialists by your side.

Whether it’s pediatricians or child psychologists, or other holistic practitioners that are perhaps more ‘nontraditional,’ here are some of the most important healthcare specialists to work with (in my opinion!) if you want the best for your kids.

Pediatricians

Pediatricians are the primary healthcare providers for children from early infancy all the way through to their early teens. These are also the doctors who are equipped to handle a huge variety of different health issues, as well as provide routine checkups and yearly physicals.

Regular visits to a family pediatrician can be essential for monitoring your child’s growth and ensuring that they’re meeting developmental milestones (although you don’t want to stress about that too much, especially in the early years). There are also different specialties when it comes to pediatric care, which is highly recommended especially if your child(ren) are experiencing different issues.

Early into my stepparenting journey, I found both a pediatric podiatrist (to monitor and support Austin’s ankle pronation) and a pediatric ENT (to help with allergies, chronic nasal congestion, and other issues with ears/nose/throat). We also looked at various pediatric ophthalmologists (to pursue Vision Therapy and to also monitor any eye concerns as Austin progressed from early to late childhood).

In addition to those specialists, it’s also a good idea to seek a pediatric dental provider (especially early on). And to be specific, I would advocate for an ‘airway-focused’ dentist/orthodontist. These types of practitioners are looking at the way the mouth and palate are growing and can make recommendations with respect to airway and breathing, which is really important to look out for when your child(ren) are young. Also, doctors in this field will help instill good oral hygiene habits and educate your child(ren) on things like brushing and flossing.

Functional Medicine Doctor

In addition to a pediatrician, I would also advocate for every family to have a functional medicine and/or holistic doctor on their child’s health care team. There are so many healthcare specialists out there, but sometimes it’s beneficial to have a non-traditional approach to wellness, especially if you’re thinking about lessening medication, delaying a schedule and/or opting out of certain treatments, or trying an alternative approach.

A functional medicine doctor is one who takes a ‘whole child’ approach. This means that rather than treating a problem, they will look at the underlying causes that are creating the problem in the first place. Then, they will often create nutrition protocols, provide vitamins and supplements (based on bloodwork), and work with you to monitor progress and results over time.

Child Psychologists

Mental health is just as important as physical health. That’s why child psychologists can be so important in helping your child deal with potential issues such as anxiety, depression, and even behavioral problems. Child psychologists can also assist in recognizing and supporting children through developmental delays or special needs.

Through effective counseling and therapy, child psychologists can provide a surprising amount of support to children to help them manage their emotions, build resilience, and also develop healthy coping mechanisms that will be relevant to them years from now.

Physical & Occupational Therapists

Whether your child has physical/developmental delay, physical challenges, or injury that they need to rehabilitate from, I can’t advocate enough for having a good PT/OT team on your child’s roster.

Physical therapists, especially those who work with children, are trained in methods to engage different muscles and support development. They will also know how to communicate with your child and share exercises that are not only useful but fun, too.

Occupational Therapists are all about helping your child’s brain-body connection. These therapists will help your child understand their body in space, regulate their emotions, and work on large and small-motor development (anywhere from holding a pencil to learning how to balance on one foot).

Speech-Language Pathologists

A speech-language pathologist can work with children who may be experiencing speech and language disorders (or honestly, any child who needs a bit of support effectively getting their ideas out)..

Whether it’s stuttering or articulation problems (or something in-between), SLPs can provide therapy that will help to improve speech clarity and social communication skills. This enables children to better express themselves effectively, and also greatly assists with early communication with other kids.

These are just a few practitioners I’d recommend, but there are many others (and even more depending on your child’s needs). Don’t get overwhelmed, though! Take every day—and every healthcare concern—one step at a time.

You’re a good parent. And just in case you need a reminder, even reading this list and thinking about your child’s health shows that you’re a good parent.

 

Featured Image Credit: CDC