Michael Bishop, M.D.

Jean Bryant, M.D.

Mary McDavitt, M.D.

Vyju Ram, M.D.

Philip Zeve, M.D.

Amanda Nguyen, C.P.N.P.

Member
AAP
American Academy of Pediatrics

Frequently Asked Questions

We've tried to answer the most common questions we receive in our office. Please feel free to call our office any time during office hours if you can't find the answers you need here. For questions specifically relating to care for common childhood illnesses (bug bites, congestion, constipation, cough/croup, diarrhea, earaches, fever, head injuries, poison ivy, sore throat, sunburn or vomiting), please review our Care Tips.

Topics

Click on the topic that interests you:

New Patients

Hospitals

Appointments
Waiting Areas

Immunizations

Flu Shots

Medication Allergies

Signs of Illness (ear infections, sinus infections)

Breastfeeding/Bottle Feeding

Sleep

Bed Wetting

Attention Deficit

Dental Care

Moving to Adult Primary Care Providers

l New Patients

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes, our practice sees new patients nearly every day! Please call and ask for the new patient coordinator.

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l Hospitals

Which hospitals do you attend?
Our doctors have privileges at Texas Children's Hospital, Woman's Hospital of Texas, and Memorial Hermann SW.

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l Appointments

What if I am late for my appointment?

We understand that once in a while unexpected delays occur. Please call and let us know if you are running late for your appointment. We'll do our best to still fit you in. If you are more than 20 minutes late for your appointment, however, you may be asked to reschedule your visit for another day. Please see our appointment guidelines for further information.

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l Waiting Areas

Do you have separate waiting areas for well and sick children?

Yes, we do. We also have a separate waiting area for infants under four months old.

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l Immunizations

When can my child receive "catch-up" immunizations?

"Walk-in" shots are available without an appointment Monday through Friday, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. For a quick reference about when your child's immunizations are due, please see our immunization schedule.

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l Flu Shots

Should my child get a flu shot?
We recommend flu shots for almost everyone over the age of 6 months. You should not receive a flu shot if you have an allergy to eggs. We are happy to give flu shots to parents, grandparents and immediate caregivers, but claims will be filed for our patients only. Flumist (nasal spray) is also available.

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l Medication Allergies

If I am allergic to a certain medication, will my child be allergic to it also?
Not necessarily, but we take that into account when deciding which antibiotics to prescribe.

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l Signs of Illness (ear infections/sinus infections)

How do I know if my child has an ear infection?
There's no sure way unless you see blood or pus draining from the ear. Many ear infections follow head congestion from colds or allergies, while some come with fever or difficulty sleeping. As a child gets older, they can tell you it hurts. For more information on earaches, see our Care Tips.

When do you think it is time to see and Ear/Nose/Throat (ENT) specialist for my child's ear infections?
After a child has been on recurrent antibiotic courses, has fluid behind the eardrum for more than 90 days or shows signs of hearing troubles. Remember, not all ear infections require the use of antibiotics. Be sure to discuss this to see if this is an option for your child.

What do I do if my child is congested?
Start by increasing fluids. Elevate their head with a pillow or blanket under the mattress. Medications for stuffy heads are widely available and worth trying, but are not always effective, and may increase irritability. Saline nasal spray also helps moisten the nasal passages and loosen congestion for all ages. Mucus can be very thick and even greenish or yellow with a cold. If it lasts more than 10 days, a visit to the doctor may be in order. For more information on congestion, see our Care Tips.

My child has yellow/green nasal discharge. Should he/she see the doctor?
Yellow/green drainage is normal during the course of a cold. If drainage persists past 10-12 days, then your child may need to be seen for a possible sinus infection.

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l Breastfeeding/Bottle Feeding

For more detailed information on feeding your infant or toddler, see our breastfeeding guidelines and solid food guidelines for infants and toddlers.

When should I start feeding my baby solid food?
In general, between 4-6 months. Earlier than 4 months can lead to allergy problems, and by 6 months, babies need the extra iron in cereals.

How so I wean my baby from being breastfed?
Introduce a bottle of pumped breast milk or formula in place of one feeding a day and increase number of feedings by bottle every few days. Usually first morning or good night feedings are the last to be given up.

How do I get my child to give up the bottle?
Use a cup more and more. Limit bottles to just before bedtime or illness and watch for the opportunity to remove them completely. Bottles can be quite harmful after many teeth are in because milk or juice at bedtime can lead to cavities if not followed by rinsing and brushing. Current recommendations include discontinuing the bottle entirely by 12 months of age.

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l Sleep

Why isn't my infant sleeping at night?
Many things affect baby's sleep, including illness, hunger and loneliness. Children also vary in their need for sleep and in how deeply they sleep. If they wake during the night and aren't used to falling asleep alone, they may need help returning to sleep. It is reasonable for parents to try to teach their infant to learn to sleep alone at 2-4 months of age.

How do I convince my toddler to go to sleep without confrontation and difficulty?
Make sure bedtime is appropriate and that they are tired, then work toward some relaxing routine for bedtime. Once they're in bed, be firm and consistent about them staying there. Toddlers will tend to follow an easier bedtime routine if their sleep routines are introduced in infancy (at 2-4 months of age).

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l Bed Wetting

My child is still wetting the bed during the night. What can I do to help?
While it's great to have dry sheets, remember that it's natural for children up to age 6-7 to wet their bed at night; there is no treatment necessary or effective prior to this time. However, if your child has been dry and are now wetting again, there are many considerations and you should schedule an office visit for evaluation.

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l Attention Deficit

My child's teacher says that my child has a difficult time paying attention in school and following directions. What do we do now?
The first step is to request testing at school to determine ability and performance, followed by a meeting with the doctor to discuss the results and obtain further information. We treat many children with attention problems here in our office, but difficult situations my be best managed by referral to an appropriate specialist.

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l Dental Care

When is the right time to take my toddler in for their first dental appointment?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Dental Association (ADA) both recommend dental visits at around age 3 (sooner if problems arise).

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l Moving to Adult Primary Care Providers

When do you start referring adolescents to adult primary care providers?
Grand Parkway Pediatrics will care for kids until they are ready for college. A gynecologic visit is recommended for girls who are sexually active or have menstrual difficulty. By age 16-18, all girls should schedule a routine gynecologic exam.

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