It’s 9am, your baby is sick and the receptionist at your regular GP clinic says that you can’t get an appointment for another three days.
You know that your baby’s health can deteriorate quickly, but short of heading to the local emergency department, you’re not sure where else to go. It doesn’t help that you haven’t slept for 36 hours either. What should you do? Here are three quick tips to staying on top of the situation
1. Don’t be talked into waiting a few days
When you’re caring for an infant, it’s normal to want fast medical attention for your baby. In fact, recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests that parents of infants make up to 10 more trips a year to the GP than their child-free counterparts.
One of the main reasons behind all of these GP visits is that babies’ immune systems aren’t fully developed. They are prone to picking up minor illnesses like tummy upsets, colds and coughs, especially if there are other children at home, or they are in childcare during the week.
Another reason is that most parents don’t want to leave their baby’s health to chance. Today, most medical professionals agree that even if your baby just seems a little ‘out of sorts’, it’s worth getting them checked by a doctor.
So don’t be put off, take matters into your own hands and get to a GP sooner rather than later. The peace of mind is worth it.
Find and instantly book affordable GPs within AustraliaGet on top of your general health
2. Make a note of your baby’s symptoms
In the midst of your stressed-out and sleep-deprived haze, it can be hard to remember exactly what your baby’s symptoms have been. To make the most of your newly booked GP visit, write down a few key points ahead of time.
As a minimum, try to jot down information about when your baby has slept; whether or not he or she is feeding normally; and which behaviours are causing you to worry.
Pulling out this piece of paper at the clinic and giving the doctor all the information in one go is a lot better than forgetting to mention something important.
3. Find a convenient appointment
If you are able to see your regular family GP within a reasonable time frame, it’s important you do so, as they fully understand your baby’s medical history and are best placed to provide optimal care.
Unfortunately, there are times when you simply can’t get access to your regular GP and you need to find an alternative. With a simple search on HealthEngine, finding an available doctor in your area is a lot easier than you might think.
Next steps
If you think your baby might be experiencing a medical emergency, dial 000.
For other concerns, HealthEngine can help you find and book a convenient appointment with a GP near you.
A: Use HealthEngine to find and book your next GP appointment. Click on the following locations to find a GP clinic in your state or territory.
- GP Clinics in ACT
- GP Clinics in NSW
- GP Clinics in NT
- GP Clinics in QLD
- GP Clinics in SA
- GP Clinics in TAS
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How to get a last minute doctor’s appointment for your baby
Last updated: 15 January 2018
It’s 9am, your baby is sick and the receptionist at your regular GP clinic says that you can’t get an appointment for another three days.
You know that your baby’s health can deteriorate quickly, but short of heading to the local emergency department, you’re not sure where else to go. It doesn’t help that you haven’t slept for 36 hours either. What should you do? Here are three quick tips to staying on top of the situation
1. Don’t be talked into waiting a few days
When you’re caring for an infant, it’s normal to want fast medical attention for your baby. In fact, recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests that parents of infants make up to 10 more trips a year to the GP than their child-free counterparts.
One of the main reasons behind all of these GP visits is that babies’ immune systems aren’t fully developed. They are prone to picking up minor illnesses like tummy upsets, colds and coughs, especially if there are other children at home, or they are in childcare during the week.
Another reason is that most parents don’t want to leave their baby’s health to chance. Today, most medical professionals agree that even if your baby just seems a little ‘out of sorts’, it’s worth getting them checked by a doctor.
So don’t be put off, take matters into your own hands and get to a GP sooner rather than later. The peace of mind is worth it.
2. Make a note of your baby’s symptoms
In the midst of your stressed-out and sleep-deprived haze, it can be hard to remember exactly what your baby’s symptoms have been. To make the most of your newly booked GP visit, write down a few key points ahead of time.
As a minimum, try to jot down information about when your baby has slept; whether or not he or she is feeding normally; and which behaviours are causing you to worry.
Pulling out this piece of paper at the clinic and giving the doctor all the information in one go is a lot better than forgetting to mention something important.
3. Find a convenient appointment
If you are able to see your regular family GP within a reasonable time frame, it’s important you do so, as they fully understand your baby’s medical history and are best placed to provide optimal care.
Unfortunately, there are times when you simply can’t get access to your regular GP and you need to find an alternative. With a simple search on HealthEngine, finding an available doctor in your area is a lot easier than you might think.
Next steps
If you think your baby might be experiencing a medical emergency, dial 000.
For other concerns, HealthEngine can help you find and book a convenient appointment with a GP near you.
A: Use HealthEngine to find and book your next GP appointment. Click on the following locations to find a GP clinic in your state or territory.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If in doubt, HealthEngine recommends consulting with a registered health practitioner.
href=”https://healthengine.com.au/appointments/gp/VIC/Today/”>GP Clinics in VIC
- GP Clinics in WA
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If in doubt, HealthEngine recommends consulting with a registered health practitioner.
All content and media on the HealthEngine Blog is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call the emergency services immediately.
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