Check-ups can be exciting times for parents. Although frequently referred to as “health maintenance visits” or “wellness visits,” they can be so much more. Finding out where your child lands on the growth chart can be a source of pride from one visit to the next. Getting trusted advice on how to appropriately advance your infant’s feedings can provide guidance to hesitant parents. Having a trained professional to answer your questions can provide reassurance and keep you from having to rely on social media posts.
For infants, check-ups occur at regular intervals. Typically, the two-week visit is the initial visit to the clinic. At that visit, common issues that affect the newborn are discussed, such as feeding, sleeping, and pooping. As with all check-ups, weight, length, and head circumference are measured and tracked. This visit also gives the family an opportunity to get to know the pediatrician as well as the logistics of the clinic.
Subsequent to the two-week visit, there are the 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 month visits. In addition to assessing the child’s growth parameters, these visits focus on evaluating developmental milestones and discussing anticipatory guidance (things to expect; things to watch for) for the ensuing months.
In addition, babies receive their routine scheduled immunizations at these visits. Occasionally, patients will also receive other medical services during these visits such as labs, fluoride dental treatments, and vision screens.
Once a child reaches age two, they usually move to a yearly check-up schedule. Sometimes, parents will get lax and forget to schedule these visits, especially since the need for vaccines lessens.
However, it is important to remember that these check-ups are just as important as the ones when they were babies. Their growth is still being tracked. Their development is still being assessed. Anticipatory guidance is still being given. Periodically, these patients still need vaccines and/or labs.
Hopefully, the benefits of regular check-ups are evident. Regular evaluation allows for the early detection of issues with the child and the subsequent interventions initiated. Our goal is to have the healthiest patients possible. Parents, please get your child scheduled for his or her next wellness visit. As the popular cartoon character says, “It’s time for your check-up!”
