Ask Dr. Hirsch

Weekly Q and A with Dr. Shari Hirsch, Pediatrician andLactation Specialist at Lev Pediatric Care

This Week’s Question:
“How can I better advocate for my child during doctor visits?”

Dr. Hirsch’s Answer:
Doctor visits can feel overwhelming, especially when your child is sick,crying, or wiggling nonstop. Add medical terms, time pressure, and worry, andit’s easy to leave thinking, “I forgot to ask half my questions.”

The good news is that you don’t need medical training to bea strong advocate. You already know your child best, and your voice matters.

You are the expert on your child
Pediatricians bring medical knowledge. Parents bring context. You know what’snormal for your child and when something feels off. Saying things like “thisfeels different” or “I’m more worried than usual” is incredibly helpful andoften guides how closely we look.

Come prepared, but don’t stress
You don’t need anything fancy. A few notes on your phone can help, like whensymptoms started, fevers, medications tried, and what’s improving or gettingworse. This helps your pediatrician get the full picture quickly.

Ask questions and ask again
If you don’t understand something, speak up. Medicine is full of jargon, andit’s our job to explain it. Good questions include what to expect next, whatwould be concerning, and when to call back. You should leave the visit feelinginformed, not confused.

Speak up if you’re still worried
Normal exams or tests are reassuring, but they don’t cancel parental instincts.If your child isn’t improving or you feel something was missed, it’s okay tosay so. Advocacy is not being confrontational. It’s being clear and persistent.

Prioritize what matters most
If time feels short, lead with your main concern. Saying “my biggest worrytoday is…” helps focus the visit where it matters most.

Think partnership, not pressure
The best care happens when parents and pediatricians work together. If a planfeels hard to manage at home, say so. Care plans should work in real life, notjust on paper.

Bottom line
Trust yourself. You know when your child isn’t themselves. Advocating doesn’tmean challenging everything. It means being engaged, informed, and comfortablespeaking up.

If you leave the visit and think of another question later,call or message the office. We’re on the same team, and your child is thereason.

Dr. Shari Hirsch, MD, specializes in infant feeding, including expert newborn support, lactation guidance, and frenotomy (tongue-tie release). She also offers emotional wellness care, with guidance and medication management for attention, mood, and anxiety support.

Lev Pediatric Care is located at Evergreen Uptown Mall in Pomona. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 7:45 pm, and Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Same-day appointments are available. To schedule, call 845-579-5700. They also provide free car service to and from doctor visits.

Have a question for next week’s column? Send it to Lev Pediatric Care, and Dr. Hirsch may feature it in an upcoming Q&A