Most of us have the “doctor’s” number on the fridge, in our contacts list, maybe even on speed dial! These days our “health care team” is more than just the “doctor”, even for our children.
Here are five other numbers I encourage you to add to your child’s health care team:
{one} Pharmacist
Pharmacists today do far more than just dispense medications from behind the counter. Your local pharmacist can be a resource for information on sun-safety, vaccinations, post-partum-depression, herbal remedies, over-the-counter medications, and more. Your pharmacist can help you select the right over-the-counter medications, prevent drug interactions and allergic reactions, provide you with information on how to properly administer medication, and give you advice on non-prescription and natural health products (1). Pharmacist Karyn Walkom, and her staff at Rexall Drugs in Queen Street Plaza are a valuable resource! You can contact her by phone at 780-962-2757.
{two} Chiropractor
Doctors of Chiropractic are an important part of your prenatal and postnatal health care team! Dr. Angela Regier and her team at Back on Track Chiropractic in Spruce Grove are amazing! Dr. Regier educates her moms and moms-to-be on the importance of pelvic floor stability and sees patients from newborns to the nineties. Why get your child checked? Because kids will be kids! To reach Dr. Regier, Dr. Roth or Dr. Cubos, call 780-962-2423.
{three} Dentist
When should your child go to the dentist and why? The Alberta Dental Association recommends that your child have their first dental visit around the age of one or when the first teeth appear. Having “early” dental visits for your child ensures that you get the information necessary to start good oral habits now and prevents problems down the road. Dr. Corey Dejong of Lobay Dental Group in Stony Plain also believes that these early visits can prevent the childhood “fear of the dentist”. At Lobay Dental Group your child’s first visit is FREE! My son Jackson (below) LOVED his first visit to Dr. Corey! You can reach Dr. Corey and his team at 780-963-6000.
{four} Lactation Consultant
A lactation consultant is a healthcare professional who specializes in the field of breastfeeding. They are educators, as well as counselors, who help moms learn to feed their babies. Local mom and Registered Nurse, Krystal Hoople is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who has a passion for helping moms and babies! She offers child prep classes, breastfeeding education and support, Medela pump rentals, and more! You can reach her private practise, Natural Connections, by calling 780-907-3481.
{five} First Aid/CPR Instructor
Do you know what to do if your infant or child is choking? Not breathing? Knowing what to do in an emergency can save your child’s life. Kerri Crozier is a Certified Athletic Therapist, First Responder, and Certified Red Cross First Aid Instructor. Through her company, Impact First Aid, Kerri works with sports teams, offices, local mommy groups and more! Modern Mama Spruce Grove is offering a morning or evening 90 minute workshop on the “basics” of Infant & Child First Aid/CPR. For more information and to register click here. Want to be certified? Contact Kerri at 780-752-4283.
All five of these amazing pracitioners speak at our 8-week Mama & Baby- the Health Series at the Tri-Lesiure Center in Spruce Grove. This series is eligible for coverage under your health care benefits plan.
Who is on your “team”? Please share with us a “local go-to practitioner” that you think every mom needs to add to her child’s health care team!
(1) www.pharmacists.ab.ca