Avoiding bringing home unwanted germs from the Pediatrician's office.

Not having to wait is a major benefit of joining a private concierge Pediatric practice like "Premier Pediatrics". However, for most patients waiting is inevitable and even if your child's Pediatrician has a separate waiting room for well and sick , you are always at the mercy  of other parents and their handling of their sick child when they are in the doctor's office. Separate waiting rooms are good in theory , but in practice they are still hot beds for germs. No one ever seems to want to sit in the sick waiting area and catch that terrible cough or rash from the other kids. Parents in Pediatric offices generally are concerned with their child, and often worried that if they are already sick and weak , they will be more susceptible to all those unknown germs emanating from all the other children.

Here are a few suggestions to limit exposure to other children's germs :

Hand sanitizer and wipes- wash both your hands and your child's after leaving the office.

Bring your own toys ! If there are toys in the office , unless they are cleaned between children they are carrying germs ( not that there is anything wrong with a few germs).

Use it as a good opportunity to read with them and learn together.

Although the visit is often filled with anxiety, if you try to make the experience a creative adventure the time will pass much faster.

Good old paper and crayons- create a drawing using their imagination or develop a fun story together. Use photos you have stored on your phone as a model for fun drawings.

Play word games, sing songs and bring fun work books.

If all else fails take out that new phone game ( educational of course) app.

Try to make the first appointment of the day or right after lunch when offices tend to be less busy.

Make sure you see the doctors and staff washing or sanitizing their hands before approaching your child.