Getting Back on Track with Well-Child Visits

Don't forget the importance of scheduling and maintaining well-child visits for all your children.

When your child is sick, you know to call for an appointment with your pediatrician or family healthcare provider. But when a child is healthy, it’s just as important to schedule well-child visits. Many families are still catching up after skipped appointments during the pandemic, and Community Health wants parents to be sure their child’s healthcare is up to date. 

Health screenings, immunizations, and physical and behavioral development assessments are recommended for every child from birth through 18 years old. There are very specific development milestones and vaccines your provider or pediatrician will track during these regular visits.

Growth and Development

During a physical exam, your provider weighs and measures your child to calculate your child’s weight and height comparing their age against other kids in the same age group. This shows whether or not your child is on track and growing proportionately. As your child grows, they reach milestones around certain ages and learn skills like rolling over, crawling, walking, talking, and following instructions. Your provider will also record how much your child has grown since their last visit and discuss growth milestones, social behaviors as well as learning development. 

Prevention

Nutrition, immunizations, and safety at home and in school are all part of preventive steps that help a child grow up in a healthy community and environment. Well-child visits include getting childhood vaccines. Childhood vaccines prevent serious diseases like measles, whooping cough, polio, and others. 

Your Questions

Every parent should bring a list of questions to a well-child visit asking their provider about any uncertainties they may have about behaviors, sleep patterns, eating, socialization, or other medical or behavioral health issues.

Your Trusted Healthcare Team

Through regular visits, pediatricians, parents, children, and other care managers develop strong trusted relationships that allow optimal development to occur, taking the whole child into account. Community Health provides comprehensive care for children including medical, dental, and behavioral health.

How Often Should a Child Have a Well-Child Visit?

During the first three years of life, your child will grow and develop quickly so you’ll have more well-child visits during this time. The first visit is scheduled within a few days of birth and then regular visits will be scheduled by your provider to monitor your child’s growth. 

How to Prepare for a Well-Child Visit

To get the most out of your well-child visit, it’s important for parents and caregivers to write down questions and concerns that you may have. Here are some observations to note before going to your well-child visit:

• Changes in your child’s health and development 
• Changes in behavior 
• Your child’s eating habits 
• Any questions or concerns 
• Observations or information from caregivers or teachers 

During your appointment, be sure to ask questions so you clearly understand your provider’s suggestions and any next steps you might need to take.

Annual well-child visits are important for keeping good health and vaccines up-to-date, and it’s an opportunity to express any concerns you might have. Contact your child’s primary care provider and schedule your well-child visit today.