Ask Dr. Hirsch: Weekly Q&A with Dr. Shari Hirsch, Pediatrician and Lactation Specialist at Lev Pediatric Care

This Week’s Question:

“When my child is sick, is it really important to see our pediatrician, or is urgent care just as good?”

Dr. Hirsch’s Answer:

Kids have a way of getting sick at the least convenient times. When that happens, it’s tempting to go wherever the wait is shortest. Urgent cares have an important role, especially after hours or when you need quick help. But for most day to day care, your pediatrician should be your home base.

Well visits are more than checkups.

Regular visits are how we track your child’s growth and development over time. We look at milestones, sleep, nutrition, learning, behavior, and safety. Even when things seem fine, these visits help catch issues early. Just as important, we get to know your child and what is normal for them. That long-term view matters medically.

When your child is sick, context helps.

Fevers and coughs can look the same from the outside. Your pediatrician already knows your child’s history, past illnesses, allergies, reactions to medications, and baseline behavior. That makes diagnosis more accurate and treatment more personal. It also means better follow up if symptoms change.

Continuity leads to safer care.

Seeing the same medical team over time means fewer repeated stories, fewer unnecessary tests, and faster recognition of patterns. It builds trust, and trust makes it easier for parents to ask questions and for kids to feel comfortable.

Your pediatrician connects the dots.

Children do not always fit into neat categories. A pediatrician sees the bigger picture across months and years. That helps us tell the difference between common problems and something that needs more attention. It also helps avoid treatments that are not needed.

Access still matters, and we plan for that.

Many pediatric offices offer same day visits, nurse advice, and after hours coverage. Urgent care is a great backup for surprises, weekends, or emergencies. But when you can, loop your pediatrician in so the care stays coordinated.

Bottom Line

Urgent care can be helpful in the right moment. Your pediatrician is the steady partner who knows your child and guides their health long term. Using your pediatrician as your main medical home gives your child care that is consistent, thoughtful, and tailored to them.

​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