Regular checkups are an important way to keep track of your child’s health and physical, emotional, and social development. These visits are important for ALL children, including children and youth with special health care needs who may also be under the care of specialists. Your conversations can range from sharing your successes and milestones, to overall concerns about child development, to challenges in daily routines. These visits as your chance to learn as much as you can about the best ways to help your child grow. By focusing on your child’s growth and learning, both you and your health professional can make sure your child is developing as expected. Your family and health care professional form a partnership based on respect, trust, honest communication, and understanding your family’s culture and traditions.
These checkups are crucial for preventing a variety of health problems and also making sure your little one gets the care and treatment they need should an issue arise. During these wellness checkups your pediatrician will monitor your child’s:
- Height and weight
- Heart rate and blood pressure
- Vision and hearing
- Reflexes and musculoskeletal system
- Lungs and heart
Your child will also have to get a series of immunizations throughout their childhood to protect against serious and potentially life-threatening health problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has created a comprehensive vaccination schedule to make sure your child is getting all the immunizations they need. Please click here to view the schedule
Once your child is born it’s important that you bring them in regularly to see their doctor for checkups. Preventive medical care is the best way to stave off certain illnesses and injuries. Plus, these checkups also ensure that if there is a health problem present that it’s detected right away when it’s much easier to treat. Call our office to setup your appointment.
Please find below parents handouts and resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for what to expect, milestones, wellness schedule, and more:
