When Parents Worry (5 page)

Can we use Scope to get the white stuff off our one-month-old’s tongue?

My son used to hiccup all the time, now not as much. Is that okay?

Can we get a testosterone level on our fifteen-year-old? Because he’s not so interested in girls.

My daughter is sitting on the toilet with a bowel movement half stuck. Please call soon.

My child has ongoing Irrational Bowel Syndrome.

Frank is one week old, and he won’t pee when he has a diaper on.

My daughter is three days old, and she has a temperature of 98.6˚F.

My son was seen yesterday for wrist pain. Today, it still hurts after he shoveled the snow.

My daughter has a 10 A.M. appointment, which I need to cancel because she’s cranky. (The patient is sixteen years old.)

Nicholas is sick, and I need him well because he’s missing camp and it’s $150 a day.

My babysitter put Tylenol in my son’s ears instead of eardrops. Please call.

My daughter really likes kidney beans. I have been giving them to her a lot, and now she has had loose stools for a few days and wakes up crying.

My daughter’s rear end is on fire and it’s spreading. Please call to advise.

My husband awoke with stomach cramps. I know you’re a pediatrician, but couldn’t you just see him this one time?

Wax comes out of my son’s ear when he blows his nose.

I’m going on a cruise with my children. Should we take anything with us?

My daughter has been constipated—but only on Fridays—for the last few weeks.

You told me to call if my newborn vomits any feedings after we get home from the hospital. She did.

My baby just ate the crinkly paper attached to her play mat. Please advise.

My daughter was constipated for days. I gave her an enema and now she has diarrhea.

(A call that was received on Labor Day) My son is fine, but I just want him checked out before school starts.

My daughter Regina came home from school and has vomited twice in the past hour. I’m in Paris, but my nanny is at home with Regina. Please call to advise her, but speak slowly, as she doesn’t speak English.

We would like to bring Veronica into the office so that you can watch her eat peanut butter for the first time and make sure she’s okay.

My eighteen-month-old has black ink on his hands. How do you remove it?

My son has a lump in his neck that moves by itself. Is this a problem?