I am a huge believer that Mom’s intuition does exist.
I also feel that as moms (myself very much included) we do very much have to go with our gut instinct where our own kids are concerned.
Six years in as a mom and countless times, I have been proven right, especially where most if not all comes up with both my girls, especially where doctors seem to have to be consulted.
I never even had to pay the hefty medical school bills for this gift that was bestowed upon me after giving birth to not one, but two kids.
From those first days of being a new mom to now, I can honestly say when I thought something was amiss and had an idea of what the cause might actually be usually I was dead on balls right!
Here is the thing, I have grown to learn and trust my instincts. Although I am not a board certified doctor, this Dr. Mom does know best where her children are concerned.
In the early days, I was naive especially with my recent admittance of my miserable fail to breastfeed Emma, when it turned out that she was allergic to both milk and soy proteins, but still wanting desperately to believe the doctors when they would tell me that all babies cry that isn’t wasn’t indeed more.
But once I stopped to actually listen to the mother’s voice inside of my head that my baby was indeed screaming in agony and pain by taking the bull by the horns to fight for my daughter’s basic needs to be met with food that wouldn’t hurt her with each feeding, a miracle happened and she was actually content at feedings.
Score one for Dr. Mom!
Same child, at almost 2 years old, had met and exceeded most of the normal milestones, but my mother’s gut was now churning to tell me that even though she was speaking that something wasn’t quite right. That voice kept haunting me and when pressed was told as long as she is saying words not to worry, but by the way she has some ear wax in both ears.
We were then casually told at this same appointment to use over the counter ear drops that required our 2 year old to keep her head tilted for 5 minutes after using these drops on her ears.
If you have a two year old, good luck trying to keep them still for 2 minutes, let alone having them stay with their head tilted in a weird position for 30 seconds let alone 5 minutes! Once again, my inner mom voice told me to me to research local ENT doctors (Ear, Nose and Throat) to make an appointment to have her ears cleaned and checked.
Guess what?
The ENT was able to remove the ear wax in one appointment, pointing out that the amount of ear wax she had was hindering her hearing. Thus within less then a week not only was my 2 year old ear wax free, but began speaking in phrases, too. Coincidence, I think NOT!
Dr. Mom knew!
A year passed, when my now 3 year old came down with what the same doctor told me was just a very bad cold after having awoken during the night with a bad cough and low grade fever.
Sent home with the pat response of to keep her hydrated, switch every 4 hours between Motrin and Tylenol and that it just needs to run its course.
Three visits later of advocating for my child’s health, who now by the way so much sicker then I had ever seen her to be, was finally diagnosed with RSV pneumonia mildly escaping hospitalization for poor oxygen levels due to what was in the end not a bad cold.
Thank god for Dr. Mom here!
This past November, when my girl was now a 5 years old kindergartner. From the moment, this mom heard a cough similar to the previous RSV sounding cough, was not only instantly transported back, but filled with concern that this was indeed pneumonia again. I was filled with enough worry to make me fight tooth and nail to get my sick child fit in for a sick visit with her over-booked doctor.
Upon finally laying eyes on my child, the doctor took one listen to her lungs, told us they were clear, that it couldn’t possibly be pneumonia, but it was all in her nose (upper respiratory), sent me on my way to CVS drugstore to get nasal drops even after clearly stating the last time I heard this cough, she had pneumonia.
A week of missed school and two more doctor visits (one to urgent care after hours) only to be blown off until it was finally deemed, I might not be so crazy and she may indeed be more sick then they originally thought. A blood draw, a passed out child, chest x-ray later and what do you know? The kid actually didn’t just have an upper respiratory cold, but pneumonia once again.
Dr. Mom strikes again!
Fast forward to last month, when I stirred out of a deep sleep to sounds of retching in our bathroom. My almost 6 year old was crying and complaining that her throat and tummy hurt. Upon taking her temperature, I found that she a low grade fever. I feared strep throat, as a note went home days earlier that a classmate had it and know the symptoms from her younger sister having had strep a few months back.
Long story short, she had strep, was given an antibiotic and sent on our way.
A day into taking the antibiotic, the strep symptoms of sore throat and fever subsided, but she began to complain about her tummy more and more and we began to see a lovely side effect from the antibiotic in the form of diarrhea.
A few phone calls later to the doctor and even the pharmacist at our local drug store to fill the prescription, where I was given conflicting information on how to handle this from changing the prescription (which we did in the end) to making sure she was getting a probiotic with each dose (she was from the start) to making her take the new antibiotic longer the the first (not even sure how this would help her tummy issues) to plain lack of any real answers for me.
As I looked at the directions upon further inspection, it dawned on me that she was never given as large of a dose when she was sick even 2 months earlier with pneumonia with a much stronger antibiotic given.
I opted to stop giving her the antibiotic all together for her evening dose as she had already had more then double her normal daily dosage from past illnesses as I began to believe and surmise that the doctor overdosed her prescription.
Guess what?
By the next day and days to follow, she no longer had any issue with her tummy at all from me instinctively adjusting the dosage.
Final Score: Dr. Mom 5, Doctors 0!
My final assessment is that although, parents are not licensed MD’s (myself included), I think we can confidently say that we know our kids better then any doctor that might see them once every so often for a sick or well visit.
We are the ones that live with our kids day in and day out; not the doctors.
[Tweet “Are you a Dr. Mom who knows best with your kids?”]
So, my final parting advice here for all reading this is to trust your instincts where your kids are concerned and never just assume a doctor knows just because they are a licensed professional. We have the right to question the care our kids are given by any doctor in health or sickness as we are our kids’ best and sole advocates.
And when all else fails, this Dr. Moms says, “Take two Advil (as this is what we rely on for our kids) and call me in the morning!”
All joking aside though, parents do 9 time out of 10 know their kids instinctively better then anyone else could.
Bev says
I have upmost respect for medical professionals, but they are human and they do sometimes miss things or misdiagnose. When I had mono in college I went to the health center and told the doctor I thought I had it. She didn’t think I did but decided to test me for it anyway, and sure enough, mono! Sometimes are instincts are telling us something, and I’m sure it’s even more true with our children. I’m glad your daughters have you to advocate for them!
Janine says
Bev, I truly agree with you, do know doctors can indeed make mistakes where my kids have been concerned and have learned to be their advocates and to simply go with my gut on this.
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says
I have certainly learned to follow my mom gut! Usually when something feels off we need to do whatever it takes to make sure our babies are okay. You did good mama! I don’t think it’s a coincidence that she started talking phrases right after!
Janine says
Thank you Nellie and I agree I never believed it was a coincidence that Emma started to speak more after that either!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I think doctors definitely make mistakes. They are always in such a rush that they miss things sometimes. Mom ALWAYS know best.
Janine says
Robin, I agree fully and do think we truly do know best, especially in times like these.
Liza Hawkins says
Moms definitely understanding their kids’ needs relative to normal behavior. Spending 24/7 with them gives us that intuition. 🙂 I’m thankful that so far (knocking on wood) we’ve always been on the same page as the doctors.
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Glad you have, too, but we haven’t in the times described here and for those moments I am glad I listened to my own intuition and didn’t back down.
Liza | @aMusingFoodie says
It’s always good to trust your instincts and not be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right!
Janine says
Thanks Lisa and couldn’t agree more!!
Ginny Marie says
Have you looked for a new pediatrician? When I wasn’t happy with our first doctor, I switched and have been very happy with our pediatrician ever since.
Janine says
I have switched twice already and thinking about switching back to our original, who we had to leave when our insurance changed, because he was amazing. Trust me, I have thought about this and just also an insurance issue sadly.
Ginny Marie says
We have had to deal with insurance issues and doctors, too. That’s too bad! We should be able to pick the doctor we want regardless of the insurance company our employers choose for us!
Janine says
I truly and totally agree with you, Christa and do wish we could indeed just pick our own doctors to be honest after all we have gone through the last few years.
Amanda @ Growing Up Madison says
I have to definitely agree and just like our women’s intuition it has never steered me wrong. I have 4 kids and have been a mom for practically 19 years, and every time I take my kids to the doctor I knew what was wrong before the doctor did. Always trust your mom instinct, it has never led me wrong yet.
Janine says
Thank you for sharing this and makes me feel even better knowing that even after all these years, you too have had similar experiences. Thank you 🙂
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I cannot tell you how many times this has happened to me too. I thought it was with only specialist like Neurosurgeons who do not listen to me. I have told them many times what was the matter before they did all their CT’s etc. Moms know their kids and their behaviors.
Thanks for sharing!
Diane Roark
Did I miss how Emma is doing after throwing up this weekend?
Janine says
Diane, it seems that it is most doctors I have had the pleasure in the last few years to deal with both the girls. So, you truly aren’t alone and agree moms do know best. As for this weekend, it was Lily not Emma believe it or not. I had drafted last week and then of course Lily was throwing up this weekend. Never dull around here that is for sure!
Meredith says
Janine, your girls are beautiful and you have done a gorgeous job with them. Go you, Dr. Mom! Love this encouragement to trust our guts and believe that we moms are perfectly equipped to care for the kiddos put in our lives. xoxoxo
Janine says
Meridith, once again huge thank you and this post was a long time coming. I sat down last week and after the most recent just had to put my thoughts down into words here. xoxo 🙂
Kristen says
Amen! mommy intuition trumps everything else in my book…which is why we always need to go with our guts!
Janine says
Kristen, thank you so much again and I couldn’t agree more about going with our mommy gut 🙂
Seana Turner says
I’m with you on this one, Janine. I love my physicians, but I have to say that no one knows her own child like a Mom. I just “know” when things are different than normal. Especially as a new Mom, I often felt patronized, as if I were just a young mommy who didn’t know better. I have had health issues with both girls, and I know best when we’ve crossed the line from a URI to pneumonia or a sinus infection. We’ve gotta be our children’s advocate.
Janine says
Seana, again totally agree with you, especially when a simple cold does indeed take that turn for pneumonia or a sinus infection, as we have had this happen to us, too here.
Marianne says
Agreed 100%. There’s just something about having been with a child day in and day out that helps you know a child in a way their doctor cannot. I like to ask for advice from the doctor and will accept the medication they prescribe, but once back home I always do my own research before giving it to the kids. Many parents out there are looking for a “quick fix” and doctors know this so they will prescribe medication that may not be absolutely necessary. 9 times out of 10 I end up not using the medication. (I’m talking here about your average tummy bugs, flues, etc. With something serious or life threatening, I wouldn’t dismiss a doctor’s advice as easily). Often I have used natural remedies instead, or decided that I wasn’t comfortable with the side effects and would wait to see if it would just run it’s course.
I had this exact experience recently with Kiddo2 who was down with an intestinal tummy bug. The doctor prescribed some medication which was supposed to help an “over active” gut, but when reading the possible side-effects which included sudden swelling of the face, blistering of the skin, mouth and eyes, stomach pain, severe swollen stomach, severe constipation, etc. I decided to give my mom a call and ended up using her natural remedy which cleared it all up in 2 days. (For anyone interested you can find the remedy here: http://www.preciselyhousewifely.com/2015/02/natural-remedy-for-stomach-flu.html)
A similar scenario with Kiddo1 who’d developed a terrible rash on her neck and the doctor was at a loss to figure out what was causing it. He was a fantastic doctor, though, who liked to prescribe natural healing as much as possible. He told me that it was likely a food allergy and that as the mother I’m the best qualified to figure out what she was reacting to. I realized it was chocolate that was causing this allergy. We took her off chocolate for a couple years and now she’s able to eat it again without any problem.
Like you said, trust your gut. No one knows your babies like you do!
Janine says
Marianne, I agree 110% with you and does sound like from all you described and shared that you have had your fair share, as well with both your kids. Can’t thank you enough for sharing with me today and again you said a mouthful that no one knows our babies like we do!
Rosey says
Dr. Mom in the house over here too. That gut instinct is strong, and usually spot-on. I’m having a struggle right now with one though… little man’s school said he failed the eye chart and needs glasses. My instinct says he does not, but I’m still watching. And of course we’ll take him in to see. It’ll be interesting to see how it turns out. Happy Monday to you, and LOL, Janine at the phrase, ‘dead on balls right!!’ You totally made me laugh this morning. 🙂
Janine says
I bet you are right Rosey and hope you will let me know when you find out. And happy to make you smile though this morning 😉
Susanne Lewis Kerns says
I need you to come over here – I’m always the one that takes the kids to the ER for nothing and waits out a ‘cough’ for a month while it’s pneumonia. 😉
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
I would love to come over and would totally help if I could 😉
Kathy Radigan says
Well I think you know this about me, but I am the biggest believer in mom’s intuition. We do really know our kids best and if we think there is something wrong, there usually is. So glad you were able to trust your instincts and get your adorable babies the help they needed!!! I love the pictures of your girls, they are so, so, cute!!
Janine says
Kathy, just more we have in common and can I say how much I love that we do! Thank you so much always and couldn’t adore you more if I tried! 😉
Bill says
Oh, I think we can extend this lesson to all human beings and not just moms. Trust your instincts. Regarding health, I know my body, much better than a doctor. I know when it is a muscle hurting and when it is something serious. Perhaps that explains why I haven’t needed a doctor in over ten years…..I believe in you, Janine, and your kids are in good hands.
Janine says
Bill, I believe in you too, so I do think you are onto something with generalizing this and for yourself, too. Happy Monday again and thank you 🙂
Chris Carter says
AHHHH!!! LOVE IT!!!! I absolutely LOVE all your examples of your gut leading the way!! We are ALL Doctor Moms INDEED. What a great post, Janine!!!
Janine says
Chris, I know you totally get this with both your kids, too and have shared some great examples in the past, as well. Thank you so much again 🙂
Echo says
While doctors do have the training, moms almost always know when something is wrong with their children. We know our kids inside and out better than anyone.
Janine says
Agreed, so much Echo and we do just know are kids through and through for the most part!
Echo says
You know I love and agree with this post! Thank you for sharing it at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
Janine says
Aww, thanks again Echo for hosting and so happy I could linkup with you this weekend! 😉
Kim Bongiorno at Let Me Start By Saying says
I cannot even tell you how many times I had this happen, too. My son ended up having surgery (ear tubes/adenoids removed) because of my own Dr. Mom moment when all the other doctors weren’t helping him. Such a believer!
Janine says
Kim, I am so sorry you did go through that with your son, but sounds like you are a wonderful mom (knew this already though) and definitely love though that you are a believer, too!
Sarah Nenni Daher says
As a first time mom, I am taking away a lot from this article. Although we’ve been quite lucky that our daughter has been healthy thus far, once kids start school I imagine that changes. Thank you for this bit of mom-knowledge passed down!
Janine says
Sarah, happy to pass down a bit of what I have learned with both my girls over the last 6 years and already sounds like you are a great mom though!! 😉
Kathy Radigan says
I could not agree more with you! I have picked up every one of my kids issues, we moms are on the front lines and we just know when something is wrong. Great post!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thank you Kathy and I know you are an amazing mom, so don’t doubt you that you have either!
Rabia @TheLiebers says
You really do have to trust your gut instinct, don’t you! We have a great pediatrician, but there are still times I choose not to go or to not fill a prescription. Mother knows best!
Janine says
Totally agree and Mother indeed does know best!!
Lauren Baker Cormier says
It wasn’t until I had my second (who was at the doctor’s office all the time) that I realized that even doctors have differing views about things and aren’t always right. I trust their advice, but it was nice (and scary at the same time) to know that they’re just human like the rest of us and sometimes we have to trust ourselves to know what’s going on with our kids.
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Lauren, you said this perfectly. And while I know the doctors do have a wide knowledge base and not discounting their training. I have most certainly found that different doctors do have varying views and not always do they get the diagnosis right for my kids on the first try either. So, I do thank god that I have learned to trust my gut and fight harder when I don’t agree for them to take another look at my sick kid.
Kristen Miller Hewitt says
I always go with my gut, even when everyone questions me. Great post!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thanks Kristen and same here as you can see 🙂
Jen Kehl says
My Dr has always said that he trusts a mom’s instinct.
I switched to him when no one belived me that Isaiah had started a very bad tick disorder. I took videon and his pediatrician wouldn’t even look!!!
I found this new doctor right away, there was no way I was going to let that doc brush me off!
Our new ped is amazing! He’s old school, but he listens. When Isaiah was in the hospital last week he called 3 times in one day. Love him. Sometimes people are so afraid to say they don’t agree with a doctor, ridiculous, they are people and people make mistakes.
Janine says
Jen, I know isn’t it crazy how people are afraid to challenge a doctor. They are seriously just human and sometimes do make mistakes. Couldn’t agree more!
Kim says
Couldn’t agree more with this, Janine!! I think as moms we somehow just know when it is more than what a DR who is trying to squeeze too many people into too short a time tries to say just to get us to move on. Glad that you are so in tune and fight for your girls best interests medically!
Janine says
Kim, I also agree about these doctors fitting us in and not really wanting to take the time to make the proper diagnosis at times, too. So, you said a mouthful there!
Diane Hill Roark says
My family calls me a neurosurgeon. I know they are giving me a hard time but I know my son.
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Diane, I know you truly do know your son, so definitely can so relate.
Meredith Spidel says
This is such smart advice, Janine! And you have done such a great job with your beautiful girls, Dr. Mom!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thank you so much again, Meredith and honestly just glad I could share a bit of my experiences and advice here.
Erin Dwyer Dymowski says
Absolutely. My experience has taught me not to ignore that feeling. Great post!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thanks Erin and I know I have also truly learned to follow my feelings on this, too.
Crystal says
My intuition saved my son’s life back in 2006. We have a mommy gut for a reason. Great post, Janine!
Janine says
So, thankful and happy to here that and thank you, Crystal for sharing that with me today.
Lyz Lenz says
Ha! I am usually wrong when it comes to this stuff.
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Lyz, I truly am right more times then not sadly!
Jen says
There is no beating Dr. Mom. She is always on call and no one knows her children better than her. I always laugh when a doctor tells me after checking my child that yes MY original diagnosis of the ailment was right!
Janine says
Jen, I love that, really I do! But seriously, just glad I do know my kids better then I ever could have imagined and that I can always try my best to do do what is right for them.
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Yes! Moms really DO know their kids and often are right when it comes to sneaking suspicions of ailments.
When my oldest daughter was born I was super worried about trying her with dairy products. I had no reason to be concerned… there were no dairy allergies in our family. However, the doctor pressed me to try her with yogurt. I couple days later when I did try her with a small spoon of yogurt she had a full-on anaphylactic reaction. It was the scariest experience ever. However, my mommy reaction was calm and collected because I swear I anticipated it.
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
PS – that toddler picture of Emma is the absolute SWEETEST!
Janine says
Jennifer, I totally believe you knew that your daughter was indeed allergic and just so glad you knew what to do what the inevitable happened. And thank you so much no only for sharing, but also your sweet comment about Emma, too!! 🙂 xoxo!!
Debbie McCormick says
Mom instincts rule, that is for sure. I think it depends on the doctor though. I’ve moved a few times and experienced several different ones – some good, some not. Luckily the one we have now is overly cautious and will test for anything just to be sure. I would shop for another doctor if I were you.
Janine says
Debbie, thanks for the advice, I did twice already and am slowly losing my patience and my faith in doctors in general at this point sadly.
lisacng @ expandng.com says
Good for you for trusting your instincts! When it comes to our kids, we definitely know best. Though I’m not that good in predicting illnesses. I’m better in the developmental stuff. Like not being too concerned when my kids aren’t talking or walking at a certain age.
Janine says
Lisa, I definitely hear you on the developmental stuff, too, as well!
Jessica Ullrich says
My gut instinct is sometimes right, but sometimes I’m way off-base! I wish my mom’s intuition was more accurate like yours 🙂
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Jessica, I truly didn’t always trust my instincts, but I think once I started to that is how I have had more success with it 😉
Stephanie Smith Sprenger says
So very true, Janine!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thanks Stephanie 😉
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says
I agree! We moms aren’t always right, but most of the time our instincts are pointing us in the right direction!
Janine says
So true, Lisa and usually does point us in the right direction!
Lori Claxton Vintilescu says
I keep hearing stories where this point is proven time and again! You have to trust yourself!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Agreed Lori and thank you for telling me that
Janine says
Thank you Christy and I know I loved the title, too 😉
Jill Ginsberg says
Oh I think I need you to come over, too! My partner is a Physician so you know our kids are just screwed. Doctors never know how to help their own family members, ha ha. And it’s true, you always have to be the biggest advocate for your child’s health … and for your own health too.
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Jill, I would so come over if I could 😉
Jen Kehl says
I am a serial doctor switcher just because of all this stuff1
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Jen, I have slowly become one, too from all of this!
Crystal Ponti says
I’ve always believed this… We KNOW when something is wrong. We just know.
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Totally agree Crystal! We just know.
Lindsay Klein says
Aw, this is so sweet! Humans in general definitely have a “gut”
feeling, but it’s nice to hear that mother’s instinct has proven to be right for you so many times! xo
Janine says
Aw, thanks Lindsay and am indeed happy to share that my instincts have served me more right then not on this. xoxo
Sinea Pies says
Dr. Mom? My mom was an expert at diagnosing. She really should have been a medical pro. Me, not as much but I always knew when my son was developing an ear infection or strep throat. Showing up at the doctor’s office in the morning and being turned away with “it is a virus” …returning agiain that afternoon or the next morning with a miserably sick child and then “oh, NOW it’s an ear infection.” Would have been so much easier if they trusted my instincts!
Janine says
Sinea, I know exactly what you mean and have most definitely been exactly where you described on those repeat visits.
Kristi Campbell says
YES YES YES score for Doctor Mom! I think I’ve told you before that Tucker’s doctor told us to not worry when he was two and not speaking much and I knew knew knew something more was up. Thank goodness for Dr. Mom!!
Janine says
You did tell me now that you mention it and I agree thank goodness indeed for Dr. Mom, Kristi!!!
another jennifer says
Mom knows best! While it can be hard to go against what a doctor says, I think our motherly instinct kicks in and tells us to dig deeper. Thank God for that!
Janine says
Totally agreed, Jennifer and do very much thank god for it, too!!
Kirstenjill Hudkins Robbins says
Too true! Mom knows best!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thanks and most definitely agree
April G says
I completely agree! I wish I would’ve trusted my instinct earlier with Bee and not have gone through with our little drama. I trusted them with Butterfly and was immediately given a prescription and made better. They were surprised I came in so early.
Janine says
April, I totally have questioned my instincts in the past, too, but when I have followed them as shared here, I have rarely been wrong.
Jack says
I agree to a point but that line gets blurry. Doctors are human and they do make mistakes and they don’t know our kids as well as we do.
But if you are going to a good one they have training, knowledge and experience we don’t have so you have to balance that against what you see, hear and feel.
Janine says
Jack, I agree to a point, as well, but sadly haven’t probably found that perfect doctor yet unfortunately.
Gingi says
I am a HUGE believer in mother intuition! And I think, with moms knowing their children far better than their doctors do, there is a lot to be said for Dr. Mom!! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Janine says
Thanks Gingi and very much agree with you on there being something to be said for Dr. Mom!! <3
Gingi says
I always call myself the WebMD doctor, but I like Dr. Mom better on second thought. 😉
Janine says
WebMD Mom is pretty good, too if you ask me!! 😉
Eli@coachdaddy says
When the best-trained doctor sees a child and has the absolute best interest at heart, it still pales in comparison to what a mom feels about her baby. she not only cares for that child more than anything, she knows her better than anyone. A doctor ought to always at least consider what a mama says!
Janine says
Eli, said beautifully and perfectly and would only add that many dads (yourself included) should also be considered seriously with their kids, too in moments such as these.
Alexa says
I couldn’t agree with you more on this topic! We know our children – what is normal and what isn’t – and God gave us that intuition for a reason! Great post!
Janine says
Thanks Alexa and I believe you are an amazing mom, who is pretty much on, where this is concerned, too! 😉
Kenya G. Johnson says
You have done very well diagnosing! Christopher used to have ear infections a lot – not to the point of needing tubes thank goodness but I think that is because a lot of them we caught before they got really bad. I would take him to the doctor and say, “I think he has an ear infection.” One doctor told me that if I hadn’t said that he wouldn’t have seen it. But I told him he had all the starting symptoms and he looked a little longer (past the wax buildup) to see inflammation. I never got a doctor to say Christopher was allergic to milk but I did get one to write an allergy note for me because I didn’t want it to be given to Christopher at school. I don’t know why things have to be so difficult. I didn’t need him to take a bunch of test, I just needed to the daycare not to give him milk and use the soy that I brought instead. And for what wasn’t costing them a thing, they wanted a doctor note. Good grief.
Janine says
Kenya, it truly does boggle my mind and I can totally see your point on this. As for the ear infections, Lily was my child who had them and kept this post to just Emma, but if I added Lily, I could probably write a book, as she had about 6 months off and on for one fall into winter with ear infections and like you it got to the point, I just knew even before it really was full blown. Thankfully after that winter she never really got them again and we didn’t need tubes either.
Tamara says
Dr. Mom to the rescue! It all boggles the mind. I can generally tell when my kids are sick, like a day before anything shows up! It’s all in the way their skin feels or how it looks. I swear photography helps me understand what their skin tones SHOULD be.
And please, please spring – hurry over here and clear our classrooms and our kids of so many viruses!
Janine says
Tamara, I think your theory totally holds water and love that because of it you can totally see it coming. And as for spring it needs to get here like yesterday now!!
Alison says
Yup, we definitely do know our children better than anyone!
Janine says
Definitely agree, Alison!! 😉
The Imp says
Yep. I brought Boo in to our (then) family Dr, and said he had ear infections. Dr looked at my happy burbling baby, side eyed me, and said, “I’ve learned to never ignore a Mom.” and checked his ears.
Sure enough, severe double ear infections.
Janine says
Definitely sounds like a great doctor to me and you were so right, but never would have doubted you either! 😉
Rea says
Good job DR. JANINE! :)) We once went to a doctor to have Reiko checked for extreme cough and colds and after that, they sold us medicines. Some doctors are really just out to make money. So sad. Mothers may not be right all the time but I sure believe in a mother’s instinct when the situation calls for it.
Janine says
Rea, I couldn’t agree more and mother’s instinct is usually pretty close to perfect if you ask me! 😉
The Pinterested Parent says
I love this. This is fantastic. Mom knows best for sure. It looks like your instincts are right on. Keep up the great work mama.
Janine says
Aw, thanks and you definitely are an awesome mom, too 😉
Jen says
I was JUST having a heated debate with a facebook friend about this very thing. He is a very smart guy, with no kids. I tried to tell him in the least condescending way possible, that until he became a mother he didn’t have a leg to stand on. Maternal instinct is a very real thing that we should always stay in touch with. When my daughter was in the NICU I found that the doctors and nurses there had the utmost respect for mom-tuition and would always try a feeding if I said she was hungry, etc. I think you have more than enough proof here for anyone who needs it!
Janine says
Jen, I think you answered perfectly and very much agree that until someone does become a mother, they just can’t understand mother’s intuition. Thank you so much for sharing and commenting.
Aunt Gloria says
Mother’s Instinct has been around a lot longer than modern medicine! Good for you Janine that you don’t just take what the doctors tell you but go with your gut to find the right solution. Unfortunately we all have to trust our gut when it comes to our bodies these days. Doctors are focused on the unrealistic restrictions the insurance companies put on them and need to communicate via the computer instead of focusing on the patient. I’m not happy with what I’m seeing these days. Just stay well and hope you don’t need to see the doctors often. Hope you are feeling better. Love….xxoo
Janine says
Thanks so much Aunt Gloria and I truly agree about the insurance companies being involved here. Love you too xoxo 😉
Catherine Gacad says
i’m so glad you wrote this post. i feel like i’m not the professional so i wouldn’t know anything. but there’s something to be said for a mother’s instinct. you are so right. we want and know what’s best for our babies!
Janine says
Catherine, seriously couldn’t agree more with you if I tried!