Your child wakes you at 2 a.m. with a high fever and a relentless cough. Or maybe they’ve had a stomachache that just won’t go away. In those moments, every parent asks the same question: Is this serious enough for the ER? Deciding what to do next isn’t always easy — and that uncertainty can be stressful.
“Our best advice for parents is to trust their instinct,” says Brian Gilligan, MD, medical director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “A call to the pediatrician is a good place to start, but if you feel like your child needs to be seen immediately, take him or her to the nearest Children’s Emergency Center. Our pediatric emergency medicine specialists are specifically trained to treat children and babies, and will provide a thorough evaluation.”
From panic to prepared: 9 ER tips for parents
When your child isn’t feeling well, emotions can run high — making it hard to know what to do in the moment. These tips will help you decide when it’s safe to wait out symptoms, when professional care is needed, and how to feel more confident about what to bring, ask, and do once you arrive at the ER.
1. Call your pediatrician first. Not sure if it’s an emergency? Start with your child’s doctor. Most pediatric offices have a nurse or doctor available by phone 24/7 who can advise you on whether to head to the ER right away.
2. If needed, choose a Children’s Emergency Center. Emergency centers connected to children’s hospitals — like Wolfson Children’s Emergency Centers — are staffed with pediatric specialists who understand kids’ unique needs and can spot serious issues that may start with minor symptoms.
3. Stay calm and focused. Your child will take cues from you. Staying calm not only eases their anxiety but also helps you communicate more clearly with the medical team.
4. Bring important health info. ER doctors need details on immunizations, past illnesses, current conditions, allergies, and medications. Keep a copy of this information handy in your purse, diaper bag, or phone, along with your insurance card.
5. Share the full story with the ER team. The more details, the better. Be ready to explain your child’s symptoms, when they started, and how an injury happened — this helps doctors move faster toward the right treatment.
6. Prepare your child for the visit. Explain that they’ll see a new doctor at the ER who may need to do tests to figure out how to help them feel better. Knowing what to expect can make the visit less scary.
7. Don’t be afraid to questions. You know your child best, and you’re part of the care team. Don’t hesitate to ask about the treatment plan or raise concerns — you are your child’s strongest advocate.
8. Get clear instructions before leaving. Before heading home, make sure you understand the discharge plan: how to care for your child, what warning signs to watch for, and when to return if things worsen.
9. Follow up with your pediatrician. Once your child is home, update their doctor and schedule a follow-up visit to keep their medical records current and ensure they’re healing well.
Wolfson Children’s Emergency Centers are open 24/7
The pediatric experts at Wolfson Children’s Emergency Centers are specially trained to handle every level of emergency care for kids — from the unexpected fever that won’t break to the most serious injuries. Wolfson Children’s Hospital is also home to the region’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, with a dedicated team ready to care for the most critically ill and injured babies and children.
