Well Child Check-Ups
Its Importance in Pediatrics
The Well Child Exam is the cornerstone of your child's healthcare. This is a special time set aside for you to discuss your child's physical, emotional, social, and developmental health with your physician. Many families find it helpful to bring a list of concerns and questions with them to their appointment. Our physician will discuss your child's growth and development as well as age-specific related issues in regards to safety, behavior, nutrition, and immunizations. As medicine advances there will be new screening tools, lab tests, and other recommendations from medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In an information-rich society medical topics addressed in the media often raise questions for parents and families. The Well Child Exam is a crucial time for communication between your doctor and your family.
In early childhood, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends well-child checkups at 2 to 4 days and 2 weeks of age and then at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30 months of age. In addition, our physician requests a 1 month well exam for premature infants, infants with health concerns, and for first-time parents. Beginning at age 3, the AAP recommends yearly checkups up through adolescence. We encourage all families to adhere to the Well Child Exam schedule recommended by the AAP. All your child's well exams will be scheduled with his or her primary doctor.
