Well-child visits are regularly scheduled appointments with your child’s pediatrician that start a few days after your baby is born and continue through their teens. They are an opportunity for your pediatrician to assess your child’s health, provide preventive health care such as vaccines, and monitor growth and development milestones. They are also an excellent opportunity to ask the doctor questions about your child’s behavior, sleeping habits, nutrition and mental health.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following well-child visit schedule:
- The first week visit (3 to 5 days old)
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 2 years (24 months)
- 2 ½ years (30 months)
- 3 years
After the age of 3, your child can see their pediatrician once a year for a routine check-up through age 18.
At each of these appointments, the pediatrician will make a comprehensive evaluation of your child to get a full picture of their health. They will ask questions about your child’s diet, sleep habits, dental health, family health history and other topics as needed. They can also provide recommendations and guidance regarding car seat safety, immunizations, nutrition, socialization, screen time and more.
Tracking Growth and Development
As your baby grows, tracking their growth and development is of special importance to your pediatrician, who will want to ensure your baby is meeting his or her milestones. Examples of milestones include smiling, holding a toy, crying when you leave the room and leaning on their hands while sitting.
Parents and caregivers can monitor their child’s development at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines which milestones your baby should be meeting by 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and so on. The CDC’s milestone categories are:
- Social/emotional
- Language/communication
- Cognitive (thinking, problem solving)
- Movement/physical
If you believe your child is not meeting their milestones, tell their pediatrician. Your doctor can perform a developmental screening or refer you to a specialist. Early intervention like speech or physical therapy can have a significant, positive impact on your child’s health and ability to function socially and in school.
Learn more about the developmental-behavioral pediatricians at University Health.
Immunizations and Disease Prevention
Getting your children vaccinated and staying up to date on their vaccines is the best way to protect them against serious diseases like measles, polio, chickenpox, HPV and more. University Health pediatricians offer the full range of childhood vaccines to protect your family and promote herd immunity in our community.
Some vaccines, like pneumococcal, polio and DTaP, require more than one dose. It’s important you keep your scheduled appointments so your child can get the recommended doses at the appropriate times.
Learn more about the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommended immunization schedules.
Early Detection of Health Issues
Your child’s pediatrician can screen for health problems and catch them before they become serious or unmanageable. Some common health issues pediatricians can detect are:
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Ear infections
- Epilepsy
- Behavioral issues
Bring any unusual symptoms or behaviors to your pediatrician’s attention. Make a list of questions or concerns you’d like to remember to discuss with your pediatrician.
Behavioral and Mental Health Check
Your pediatrician will also assess your child’s emotional and social development. This goes hand-in-hand with tracking their developmental milestones. Your child’s emotional and social development will become more apparent as they get older, interact with other children and participate in school activities.
Mental health issues are common in children – about one in five kids will have a diagnosable mental illness. Treatments including medication and therapy can help.
Your pediatrician can screen for:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Tourette syndrome
Your pediatrician will ask you or your child questions to get a better understanding of their mental health and mindset. You may be asked to fill out the Pediatric Symptom Checklist, a short questionnaire that can help your pediatrician understand your child’s behavior and symptoms.
Your pediatrician may also use specific screening tests for ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, depression and eating disorders.
If needed, they can refer you to a pediatric behavioral health specialist.
Nutrition and Lifestyle Guidance
Children grow up strong when they get three nutritious meals a day, water and plenty of exercise.
Most kids aged 6-17 need 60 minutes of physical activity every day to strengthen their muscles and bones, according to the CDC. Kids can get their 60 minutes of exercise by:
- Riding bikes
- Playing sports
- Swimming
- Climbing trees
- Playing tag
- Dancing
Healthy eating and exercise can help prevent chronic conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and childhood obesity, both of which are prevalent in Bexar County. Parents can be healthy role models to their kids by showing them how to pick healthy foods at the grocery store and getting them engaged by cooking meals together.
Talk with your pediatrician if you’re concerned about your child’s weight – they can provide personalized tips and guidance for getting your child to a healthy weight.
Addressing Parental Concerns
Your child’s regular check-ups are a great opportunity to build a relationship with your pediatrician. Ask questions about your child’s vaccines, eating habits, sleeping habits, social skills, injury prevention – anything.
Get the most out of your visit by:
- Writing a list of questions or concerns to discuss
- Bringing another adult to the appointment to remember what was discussed
- Taking notes during the visit
Building a Relationship with Your Pediatrician
Well-child visits are central to your child’s mental and physical wellbeing – from birth through young adulthood. Establishing trust with your child’s pediatrician can help maintain long-term health through preventive care and counseling.
Prioritize well-child visits and schedule an appointment with a University Health pediatrician today.
