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In short Call first if it is not an emergency Go to the ER or call 911 for When urgent care or a clinic fits If you think your child swallowed something What to bring Cost and next steps Common questions SourcesWhen a child gets sick after your pediatrician closes, start with the office's after-hours line or a nurse line. Go to the ER or call 911 for trouble breathing, a seizure, unresponsiveness, or any problem that feels life-threatening. Trust your instinct. If you are worried, get seen.
Call first if it is not an emergency
Many pediatric offices have an after-hours phone line staffed by a nurse or on-call clinician. Your insurer may also have a free nurse line, see nurse hotlines. Have your child's age, weight, temperature, symptoms and medicines ready.
Go to the ER or call 911 for
Trouble breathing or fast, labored breathing, blue or gray lips, a seizure, a child who is hard to wake or unresponsive, a stiff neck with fever, a severe allergic reaction, or serious injury. Newborns and very young infants with a fever need to be seen right away, so call your doctor or go to the ER. See our guides on child fever and allergic reactions.
When urgent care or a clinic fits
For things like ear pain, a sore throat, a mild rash or a minor cut, an urgent care or walk-in clinic may handle it. Not all urgent care clinics treat young children, so call ahead. See urgent care vs the ER and ear infections.
If you think your child swallowed something
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 in the United States. It is free and open all day, every day.
What to bring
Bring your insurance card, a list of your child's medicines and allergies, the time and amount of the last dose given, and a phone with your pediatrician's number. Note when symptoms started and what you have tried.
Cost and next steps
After a visit, ask for an itemized bill. See guides on pediatrician visit cost, urgent care cost and disputing a medical bill.
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Common questions
Who should I call first when my child is sick at night?
Your pediatrician's after-hours line or a nurse line. If it looks life-threatening, call 911.
What is the phone number for Poison Help?
1-800-222-1222 in the United States.
Can I give my child adult medicine?
Not without advice. Doses are based on a child's weight and age. Call a nurse line or pharmacist first.
Can Pymander diagnose my child?
No. Pymander does not diagnose or examine anyone. If your child may be seriously ill, call 911 or go to the ER. Pymander is available in all 50 states.
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.