When do you take them to the doctor?

[snickersnack]

This is the third time in as many weeks we've been to the doctor with ds (11 months) - first he had an ear infection, then an rash plus upset stomach and now a chest infection. All proper, making-him-poorly illnesses but I'm beginning to think they must think I've got Munchausen's by Proxy or something. He's not even a pfb - I think dd has only been about 3 times in her life, she's just a hardier soul.

So, do you have a rule of thumb - e.g. temp of over 38? off their food? looking sad?

My rules are to take him if

• I want a the doc to do something, or prescribe a treatment (eg: antibiotic, eczema cream, whatever).
• I don't know what he's got, but I'm concerned.

It's fine to go if you just want reassurance. It's what GPs are paid £100k a year for.

At around this age my DS had a series of ear infections, and the surgery were considering naming a chair after me! Now he's 6 and I can't remember the last time he went to the docs.

My rules are pretty well the same as misselizabeth's. A temperature as such would not be enough; if it's a virus infection, there's nothing much the doctor can do.

My dh is a GP. He says that if Mum is concerned, then he is more than happy to see the child.

Sometimes he comes home a bit fed up with having seen 10 viral infections in a row, but he deffo sees a big part of his role to be reassurance, and never minds seeing people who need reassurance about their kids.

Don't worry about going. I'm sure I would be there often if it wasn't that I have a doctor in the house!

My dd (12) has been to the doctor once - she had croup, I didn't know what it was and I was terrified. She has been to A and E once with an an infected splinter. Ds (7) has never been. I have dealt with temperatures, coughs, colds, viral infections, scrapes, bumps, black eyes, chicken pox, and all sorts of other stuff. I don't feel any need to take them to the dr for this minor stuff - he/or she is only going to say keep the quiet and warm and give them lots of fluids!

But if I was really worried - like the croup when she couldn't breathe I'd be there like a shot.