Everything You Need to Know About Your First Well-Child Visit

Well-child visits play a crucial role in preventing illness via routine vaccinations. Regularly scheduled visits with your child’s physician give you the chance to protect your child, ensure growth and development are healthy, and ask any questions you may have. During these visits, the doctor will: 

• Perform a physical exam 
• Give the child any necessary shots 
• Check the child’s growth, including asking questions about development and behavior 
• Talk about illness prevention, nutrition, physical fitness, etc. 

Make sure that your doctor isn’t saying everything. The well-child visit is the best time to talk about any concerns you have about your child’s growth and development, especially if they aren’t meeting important milestones. Remember that your doctor may know a lot about how to keep kids healthy, but you know your child best.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions, whether they are about medicine or not. Your child’s doctor can give you good advice on how to help your child learn and grow, how to teach your child to use the toilet, how to keep your child safe at the playground, and more.

Routine Checkups

“How often should my child see the doctor?” is a question that most parents ask. Your child will need wellness checkups at or around:

• 3 to 5 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 2 1/2 years, 3 years, 4 years 
• After the age of 4, a well-child visit should take place every year and should include all of the different elements mentioned above

What happens when you miss a checkup? You can always get caught up by simply letting your pediatrician know. Missed routine checkups mean missed routine vaccination as well. Reach out to your pediatricians and physicians. When you call in, they will have no problem guiding you through the process of getting your children up to date.

Immunizations

Immunizations are one of the best ways to protect your child from preventable, life-threatening illnesses. Some of these include chickenpox, measles, whooping cough, and more. From age 3, these should happen every year. At your child’s routine well visits, the doctor will offer you the necessary immunizations and discuss any potential concerns you have. Benefits of well visits:

• Prevention (immunizations) 
• Check growth and development
• Raise any concerns you have and be able to take a team approach

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When My Child Is Sick

It is a different type of visit than when your child sees a healthcare provider because they are sick. You want to make sure you call the doctor as soon as possible when you believe your child is sick. Nothing is worse than waiting too long to do so, and they would rather see you, even if it is a false alarm or nothing too major.

You may have to go to walk in if it is urgent or go to the ER. When going to walk-in care, they usually try to call your pediatrician so that you can have your child see a doctor who knows them and their medical history.

Sometimes a well-child visit may fall on a time that your child is sick too, and you can ask your pediatrician what should be done, get prescribed medication, and schedule a follow-up appointment. 

Choosing The Right Pediatrician For My Baby

Choosing a doctor is difficult. A doctor who looks like your children would be great, but sometimes we can’t get that. I didn’t have this luxury, but I found a physician who treats my kids well and is honest with me, even if I haven’t noticed anything concerning. Pediatricians should be approachable. When you have worries, be sure they won’t hurry you out, and take the time to calm or remedy your concerns. 

There are two kinds of doctors you could go with:

• Pediatricians care for babies through the teenage years. In some situations, doctors may treat patients until age 21.
• A family physician (FP) cares for patients of all ages. FPs are educated to care for children, but also in women’s health and internal medicine.

Find either of these by:

• Doing your research, and making sure your chosen doctor accepts your insurance.
• Verifying the credentials and learning as much as possible about the person you pick through reviews and calling your pediatric office in your area to get referrals.
• Not settling. Find a doctor you trust and are comfortable around. 
• Making sure the provider you choose is available and easy to reach:
  • Ask questions such as; are you available for after-hours care?
  • Is there an on-call provider reachable by phone or e-mail? 

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A List Of Some Questions To Ask

It is important that you get any concerns you may have, answered. Some questions to ask:

• What shot should my child be getting today and why? (they usually give you a sheet detailing the immunization and why)
• Are my child’s growth and weight healthy? (they will let you know the percentile your child is in based on the age of your child in comparison to children of the same age)
• What milestones should my child be reaching? (there are also apps like BabyCenter, that can help you with knowing this, and you can have questions ready if your child isn’t where you think they should be)
• How can I best protect:
  • Car seats
  • Childproofing
  • Sun exposure, etc.
• Note anything you think is unusual or are concerned about to ask at your child’s next well visit. Keep it in the baby bag, so you don’t forget your list at home. 
• When is my next appointment?
• Tip: schedule your child’s next well visit before you leave, so you’re all set! This makes it much easier to get a reminder than a “you still need to schedule…”

When your child is getting their immunizations, your pediatrician is there to provide information and answers, so make sure to cover:

• Why should young children be vaccinated? 
• How do you know the vaccinations are safe? 
• Talk about what boosters are necessary. 
• Which ones should your child get?

If you cover these 4 questions, you’ll have enough information to make a good decision for your child.

Preparing My Child(ren)

Receiving shots can be scary for both the child and the parent. To help the appointment go smoothly:

• Talk to your children before their vaccination appointments. They may still not be ready, but at least they know it is something that is coming. I usually let my kids know beforehand even if they get scared because it is better for them to know than to be surprised about it.
• Explain to them what vaccination is and why it is important. This allows them to ask their questions, no matter how little they are. 
• Please help them stay calm, sit with them, have them take deep breaths, and encourage them. 

Ask your questions at the beginning of the appointment to be sure that your concerns are fully addressed

Personal Records Of Child(ren) Medical History

Remember to ask your doctor for a copy of your child’s vaccination records. This will help you keep track of any vaccinations your child still needs. These documentations are also often required for:

• School 
• Camp
• Travel purposes

If your provider or healthcare system uses an app, confirm you can access your child’s immunization records there. If not, tell your provider.