The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a policy statement to help pediatricians respond when parents ask about their own health needs during their child’s appointment. The policy, “Providing Medical Care for Parents During the Pediatric Visit,” published in the February 2026 Pediatrics and online Jan. 26, speaks to requests from parents on issues such as smoking and nicotine cessation, breastfeeding, and vaccines, including pertussis and influenza. The policy, written by the Section on Breastfeeding; Section on Nicotine and Tobacco Prevention and Treatment; Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; and Committee on Medical Liability and Risk Management, also addresses potential legal issues. By treating a parent or caregiver, the pediatrician may be engaging in a physician-patient relationship, and follow-up care with the pediatrician may be required. The AAP recognizes that parents bring small children to many appointments during the first few years of life, offering a convenient place for parents to seek supplemental advice. AAP recommends medical interventions on behalf of the parent if doing so is medically appropriate and beneficial to the child. For instance, vaccinating parents can reduce the spread of illness within the home, and providing breastfeeding support can help nourish the children who rely on breastmilk. Offering parents smoking and nicotine cessation guidance also helps children, as the parent’s use of these products may exacerbate illness or encourage the child to use the products, too. Policy authors recommend that care of parents follows evidence-based guidance and requires appropriate documentation of care. They advise a proper cessation of a physician-patient relationship, if needed, and appropriate transfer of care to the parent’s primary care physician. Authors also recommend pediatricians consider their training and experience when considering treating parents, and review pros and cons of treatment. Policy statements created by AAP are written by medical experts, reflect the latest evidence in the field, and go through several rounds of peer review before being approved by the AAP Board of Directors and published in Pediatrics.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.