Healthy toddler

Parent’s Intuition. If your toddler just doesn’t seem ‘right’ to you, but you can’t put your finger on any specific symptom, give the doctor a call anyway. Most likely you’ll be reassured, but it possible that your intuition may have picked up on a subtle problem that needs evaluation. At any rate, it’s better to call than to worry.

Abdomen. Is your toddler’s tummy flatter rounder, more budging? When you press on it gently, or when you bend either knee to the abdomen, does your child seem to be in pain. Where does the pain seem to be – right side or left, upper or lower abdomen?

Motor symptoms. Has your toddler been experiencing chills, shakes, stiffness, convulsions, or neck stiffness (can he or she bend chin to chest without difficulty)? Does he or she seem to have difficult in moving any other part of the body?

Pain. Is your child complaining of pain in the arms, leg, abdomen, head, ears, or anywhere else? Or is he or she indicating pain nonverbally – by tugging at an ear, for instance?

Other unusual signs. Do you note any unpleasant odour emanating from your child’s mouth, nose, ears, vagina, and rectum? Is there bleeding from any of these?

References: Whattoexpect – the toddlers years.
Authors: Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg & Sandee Hathaway.