Top IPhone Apps Especially Designed for Child Health Care!

As a healthcare provider for young children I am very aware of the challenges faced by new parents and the common mistakes they make. There are a few iPhone apps that can help parents provide better healthcare for their children. Note that these apps do not replace the need to consult healthcare professionals. For example, the first app helps you track medication dosages and timing when you're caring for a child with a fever and even gives dosage recommendations. You should always consult a professional about which medication to use and to confirm dosage and timing recommendations.

TREATING FEVERS
The most common mistakes associated with treating fevers relate to dosages and timing. Parents may give too much or too little Tylenol, Motrin, etc., or forget when the medication was last given. To help with this, I recommend an app called Fever Meds.

FeverMeds
Price: $1.99
This app has several features that are very helpful. The first is its ability to display a picture of the box in which the medication comes. This reduces the possibility of giving the child the wrong medication, especially if you have to get up at three in the morning to give the child the medication. The app will calculate the recommended dose based on age and weight, and it will track the time it was given. It also will create a countdown for the next dose.

WELLN ESS
Healthcare professionals are noticing that many of their patients are taking a more proactive approach to their medical care. To do this, people need to be able to access trusted, medical information that is presented in a way that is understandable. The next two applications do a good job of this.

WebMD mobile
Price: Free
WebMD mobile provides accurate medical information on a variety of topics and has excellent first aid, symptoms, and CPA sections that can be very helpful. Again, it's not a substitute for being evaluated by a trained health care provider, but it's a useful first step.

Childhood Diseases
Price: $2.99
This medical atlas provides you with a quick text reference of more than 50 of the most common childhood diseases. It includes basic descriptions of the disease and its symptoms (including pictures), possible complications, and transmission. It lists six major symptom categories and one relating to parasites. The pictures are interesting and can be educational for parents. This app is not complete but has a lot of potential.

BREASTFEEDING
Breastfeeding is a great way to feed your new bundle of joy. There are many reasons that women choose to breastfeed. It is extremely economical, it's FREE! Breast milk passes antibodies to the babies that protect new babies from illness. This is nature's own vaccination, without possible side effects. Breastfed infants have a decreased chance of childhood allergies and cavities. However, one great benefit is that new mothers can burn up to 500 calories a day while they are breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Management
Price: Free
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition developed this application to provide support for breastfeeding mothers. The app provides new mothers with knowledge about breastfeeding and helps them deal with common problems encountered in the first few weeks of life. It includes a section that provides guidelines for the use of medications during breastfeeding and provides links to additional information about medications. The app also provides information about early breastfeeding management, a page of frequently asked questions (and answers), and a list of resources for new parents.

With these applications you will definately be able to understand your child's health better than before!