When to consult a paediatrician

Routine care, warning signs in infants and children, and how to choose a paediatrician you will see for years.

A paediatrician cares for children from birth to adolescence — routine immunisation and growth monitoring, common illness, and long-term childhood conditions. Continuity matters more in paediatrics than in almost any other speciality, so most families choose someone close to home.

Seek urgent care for

• A baby under three months with any fever.
• Difficulty breathing, blue lips, or a child who is unusually drowsy or hard to wake.
• Signs of dehydration — no urine for eight hours, sunken eyes, no tears.
• A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass.
• A seizure.

Book a routine consultation for

• Immunisation and scheduled growth and development checks.
• Fever, cough or a stomach upset that is not settling after a few days.
• Concerns about feeding, weight gain or milestones.
• Recurrent ear, throat or chest infections.
• Adolescent health, school concerns, or behaviour that worries you.

Choosing a paediatrician

Look for evening or weekend hours if you work, a practice that offers a way to ask a quick question between visits, and languages your family is comfortable in. Profiles here show languages, consultation modes and hours as confirmed with the practice, with the date they were checked.

General guidance, not advice about your situation. Not for emergencies — call 108. Errors can be reported through the corrections process.