Dr. Don M. Schaffer, MD

Dr. Don M. Schaffer, Pediatrician

Dr. Don M. Schaffer is an experienced pediatrician providing preventive, diagnostic, and continuing medical care for infants, children, and adolescents. His work covers newborn health, routine wellness visits, childhood development, vaccinations, common illnesses, allergies, asthma, skin concerns, and minor injuries.

With more than four decades of experience in pediatric medicine, Dr. Schaffer helps parents understand their child’s symptoms, developmental progress, treatment options, and preventive healthcare needs. He also supports older children and teenagers as they become more involved in managing their own health.

Parents comparing pediatric physicians can also read about Dr. Debra Bootin’s pediatric care.

Doctor Information

Name: Dr. Don M. Schaffer, MD
Specialty: Pediatrics
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Medical Degree Completed: 1976
Internship: Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital
Residency: Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital
Undergraduate Education: University of Texas at Austin
Practice: Bootin and Savrick Pediatric Associates
Hospital Affiliations: Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, and French
Primary Clinical Focus: Newborn, child, and adolescent healthcare
Accepting New Patients: Current availability should be confirmed directly with the practice

About Dr. Don M. Schaffer

Dr. Schaffer was born and raised in Houston. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Texas at Austin in 1973 before earning his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1976.

He continued his training in pediatrics through Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital. He completed his pediatric internship in 1977 and residency training in 1980 before entering private practice.

His long clinical career has involved caring for children through infancy, childhood, adolescence, and the transition toward adult healthcare. This continuity can help families build a clearer medical history and identify changes in growth, behaviour, development, and general health over time.

Dr. Schaffer has also served as a physician for Rice University sports teams. This experience supports the assessment of young athletes, sports participation, exercise-related concerns, and minor injuries.

Pediatric Conditions Treated

Dr. Schaffer may evaluate and manage a broad range of childhood health concerns, including:

• Colds and respiratory infections
• Fever
• Cough and congestion
• Sore throat
• Ear discomfort and infections
• Asthma
• Seasonal and environmental allergies
• Skin rashes
• Eczema
• Digestive symptoms
• Constipation
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Headaches
• Minor injuries
• Growth concerns
• Sleep difficulties
• Nutrition concerns
• School health needs
• Adolescent health concerns

Children may describe symptoms differently from adults, and younger patients may not be able to explain what they feel. Pediatric evaluation therefore considers the child’s behaviour, appetite, sleep, activity, development, and information provided by parents or caregivers.

Newborn Care

Newborn appointments help parents understand feeding, sleep, growth, skin changes, cord care, and other concerns that commonly arise during the first weeks of life.

Dr. Schaffer’s newborn care may include:

• Weight and growth monitoring
• Feeding assessment
• Newborn screening review
• Jaundice evaluation
• Umbilical cord assessment
• Skin examination
• Sleep-safety guidance
• Vaccination planning
• Developmental observation
• Support with common newborn concerns

A newborn may need more frequent appointments when weight gain is slower than expected, feeding is difficult, jaundice is present, or the baby was born prematurely.

Parents should bring hospital discharge information, newborn screening results, feeding records, and a list of questions to early appointments.

Well-Child Visits

Well-child visits are routine preventive appointments that monitor health and development even when a child is not ill.

These appointments may include:

• Height and weight measurement
• Head circumference measurement for infants
• Physical examination
• Developmental screening
• Vision and hearing assessment
• Vaccination review
• Nutrition discussion
• Sleep assessment
• Behavioural health discussion
• School-performance review
• Injury-prevention guidance
• Age-appropriate health education

The topics discussed change as children grow. Infant visits may focus on feeding and milestones, while appointments for school-age children may cover learning, activity, nutrition, sleep, and social development.

Teen appointments may include more direct discussion with the patient about health habits, sports, stress, sleep, medication, and increasing responsibility for personal healthcare.

Growth and Development Monitoring

Children develop at different rates, but regular monitoring can help identify patterns that may need closer assessment.

Dr. Schaffer may review:

• Weight gain
• Height progression
• Head growth in infancy
• Motor development
• Speech and language skills
• Social interaction
• Learning progress
• Behaviour
• Puberty
• School performance

A single difference does not always indicate a developmental disorder. The pattern over time, family history, home environment, examination findings, and feedback from caregivers or teachers may all be important.

When additional assessment is needed, Dr. Schaffer may coordinate with developmental pediatricians, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, or school-based professionals.

Childhood Vaccinations

Vaccines help protect children from infections that can cause serious illness or long-term complications.

During pediatric visits, Dr. Schaffer may review:

• Previous vaccine records
• Vaccines due by age
• Missed or delayed doses
• Medical conditions affecting vaccination
• Previous vaccine reactions
• School requirements
• Seasonal vaccine recommendations
• Travel-related health needs

Parents should bring an updated immunisation record whenever possible. This can help prevent unnecessary repeat doses and identify gaps in protection.

Questions about expected reactions, timing, ingredients, or medical precautions should be discussed directly with the pediatric team.

Childhood Illness Care

Children commonly develop respiratory, digestive, and viral illnesses, especially after beginning daycare or school.

Dr. Schaffer may evaluate symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Cough
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Ear pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Reduced appetite
• Unusual tiredness
• Rash
• Headache

The evaluation may include a physical examination and selected testing. Treatment depends on the cause, the child’s age, symptom severity, hydration, and medical history.

Antibiotics are useful for certain bacterial infections but do not treat viral illnesses. When antibiotics are not appropriate, care may focus on fluids, rest, symptom relief, and monitoring.

Asthma Care

Asthma is a long-term condition that can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms may be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, allergies, smoke, weather changes, or environmental irritants.

Dr. Schaffer may help families:

• Identify possible asthma triggers
• Review inhaler and spacer technique
• Monitor symptom frequency
• Assess nighttime coughing
• Manage exercise-related symptoms
• Review controller and rescue medication
• Create an asthma action plan
• Coordinate specialist care when needed

An asthma action plan explains which medicine should be used during routine care, what to do when symptoms worsen, and when urgent medical attention may be needed.

Children involved in sports should have their symptoms and medication plan reviewed before the season begins.

Allergy Care

Childhood allergies may affect the nose, eyes, skin, lungs, or digestive system.

Common allergy-related concerns include:

• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Repeated coughing
• Wheezing
• Hives
• Eczema
• Reactions to food
• Reactions to insect stings
• Seasonal symptom patterns

Dr. Schaffer may review when symptoms occur, possible environmental exposure, family allergy history, food intake, medication response, and whether breathing symptoms are present.

Treatment may involve reducing exposure to triggers, medication, skin care, an emergency treatment plan, or referral to an allergy specialist.

Skin Conditions

Children frequently develop rashes and other skin changes. Possible causes include irritation, infection, allergy, eczema, insect bites, or another inflammatory condition.

Dr. Schaffer may evaluate:

• Eczema
• Diaper rash
• Hives
• Contact dermatitis
• Acne
• Fungal infections
• Bacterial skin infections
• Viral rashes
• Insect bites
• Dry or irritated skin
• Unexplained spots or colour changes

The appearance, location, duration, associated symptoms, and exposure history can help determine the cause.

Treatment may involve moisturisers, avoidance of irritants, topical medicine, oral medication, infection treatment, or referral to a dermatologist.

Minor Injury Care

Children may experience falls, sports injuries, cuts, bruises, sprains, and other minor injuries during play or physical activity.

Dr. Schaffer may assess:

• Minor cuts and wounds
• Bruising
• Sprains
• Joint discomfort
• Muscle injuries
• Minor head injuries
• Sports-related pain
• Reduced movement after an accident
• Possible fractures requiring imaging

The examination can help determine whether home care is appropriate or whether imaging, immobilisation, urgent treatment, or orthopedic assessment is required.

Parents should explain how the injury occurred, when it happened, whether the child can use the affected area, and whether symptoms are improving or worsening.

Sports Physicals

Sports physicals help determine whether a child or teenager can participate safely in athletic activity.

An evaluation may include:

• Medical history
• Previous injury review
• Heart and lung examination
• Blood pressure measurement
• Joint and muscle assessment
• Vision screening
• Asthma review
• Medication assessment
• Family cardiovascular history
• Discussion of exercise symptoms

Parents should report fainting, chest discomfort during activity, unexplained shortness of breath, earlier concussions, or a family history of sudden heart problems.

A sports physical does not replace regular preventive pediatric care. A complete well-child visit may include broader developmental, vaccination, and health screening.

School Health

Pediatric care may support children with health needs affecting attendance, learning, behaviour, or participation in school.

Dr. Schaffer may assist with:

• School physical forms
• Medication authorisation
• Asthma action plans
• Allergy plans
• Vaccination records
• Sports participation forms
• Evaluation of repeated illness
• Attention or learning concerns
• Sleep problems affecting school
• Chronic condition management

Coordination between families, healthcare professionals, and school staff can help children receive appropriate support during the school day.

Adolescent Healthcare

Adolescents have medical needs that differ from those of younger children. Puberty, sleep, activity, school demands, sports, nutrition, and increasing independence can all affect health.

Dr. Schaffer may discuss:

• Puberty and physical development
• Growth
• Acne
• Menstrual concerns
• Headaches
• Sleep habits
• Sports participation
• Nutrition
• Medication use
• School stress
• Chronic condition management
• Transition toward adult care

As teenagers mature, they can begin learning how to describe symptoms, understand medication instructions, ask questions, and take greater responsibility for appointments and treatment.

Nutrition and Healthy Growth

Nutrition affects growth, energy, concentration, bone health, and physical development.

Dr. Schaffer may review:

• Feeding patterns
• Food variety
• Growth-chart trends
• Possible nutrient deficiencies
• Digestive symptoms
• Food allergies
• Physical activity
• Sleep
• Family eating routines

The goal is to support healthy development rather than focus on appearance. Recommendations should match the child’s age, medical needs, activity level, culture, and family circumstances.

Sleep Concerns

Sleep needs change as children grow. Poor sleep can affect mood, behaviour, learning, appetite, and physical health.

A pediatric sleep assessment may consider:

• Bedtime routine
• Night waking
• Snoring
• Breathing pauses
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Daytime tiredness
• Screen use before bed
• School schedule
• Medication
• Anxiety or discomfort

Persistent snoring, unusual breathing during sleep, or significant daytime sleepiness may require additional evaluation.

Medication Management

Children’s medication doses often depend on age, weight, diagnosis, and medical history.

Parents should provide a complete list of:

• Prescription medication
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamins
• Supplements
• Inhalers
• Topical treatments
• Known allergies
• Previous side effects

Medication intended for adults or another child should not be given without medical guidance.

During follow-up visits, Dr. Schaffer may review whether treatment is working, whether side effects have developed, and whether the dose remains appropriate as the child grows.

Preparing for a Pediatric Appointment

Parents and caregivers can prepare by bringing:

• Current medication information
• Vaccination records
• Hospital discharge documents
• Previous test results
• Growth or feeding records
• School or sports forms
• A list of allergies
• Details about symptoms
• Questions about treatment
• Relevant family medical history

It is helpful to record when symptoms began, how often they occur, what makes them better or worse, and whether the child’s sleep, eating, activity, or behaviour has changed.

For recurring concerns, photographs or a brief symptom diary may help explain patterns that are not present during the appointment.

Family-Centered Pediatric Care

Dr. Schaffer provides pediatric care that considers the needs of both the child and family. His services cover newborn care, preventive visits, childhood illnesses, asthma, allergies, skin conditions, injuries, sports participation, and adolescent health.

His long experience allows him to follow children through different developmental stages while helping parents understand changing health needs.

Families should confirm appointment availability, accepted insurance plans, telehealth options, hospital participation, and current office services directly with the practice.