Does this sound familiar: you have questions for your pediatrician, but by the time you get to your child’s well-checkup, you can’t remember them or you forget to ask?

A recent survey found that only 25% of parents prepare questions for their child’s doctor ahead of the appointment. However, preparing questions is the best way to get the most out of your visit—and receive the answers you need from a trusted source.

At Eugene Pediatric Associates in Eugene, Dr. Pilar Bradshaw says pediatricians like herself encourage parents to ask questions.

“Because when it comes up in your mind as a problem, that means it’s something real,” she says. “We want to talk to you about it because those are great topics that will help us have a really rich discussion when we’re together.”

Dr. Bradshaw says she hears a wide range of questions from parents. “Some of the common questions that parents might want to ask are questions about sleep, questions about feeding, problems your kid might be having at school, things about discipline and how to get your kids behavior in line with your hopes.”

If you’re not sure what to ask about, some common topics parents should consider bringing up with their pediatrician include:

  • Healthy eating habits: What should my child be eating? What portion size is best?
  • Extracurricular activities: How many extracurricular activities should my child participate in? How many would be too much for my child?
  • Safety concerns: Discuss things like new toys, trampolines, pools, and kids’ entertainment.
  • Developmental milestones: Is my child hitting milestones on time? If not, is there any need to worry?
  • Medications and vaccines: When and how should you give over-the-counter medications and is your child up to date on vaccines?

Dr. Bradshaw suggests jotting down your questions or concerns as they come to you in the notes section of your smartphone, so you’re more likely to have them with you at your next appointment.

While social media and the internet have become an easy way to access information, your doctor is a trusted source who knows your child. Social media can also put unrealistic pressures on parents and inspire feelings of inadequacy, when the reality is that no parent is perfect, Dr. Bradshaw says.

“You want to get your information from someone who knows you, someone who’s more relatable than the internet, because let’s face it, a lot of the information that’s posted, it’s not real information,” she says. “It’s glorified or made to feel like this is how every family is, when in fact, almost no family is the perfect internet family.”

When it comes to questions about your child, there is no question too big, too small or too insignificant, and if your pediatrician can’t answer it, they will connect you with someone who can.