What to Expect at Your Child's Well Visit
What is a well visit?
A well visit is a time to talk to your child's doctor about how your child is growing and changing. It is a good time to ask questions about things like eating and sleeping habits, how much your child is learning, and any other questions or concerns you may have. It is also the time for the doctor to check your child's health, measuring his or her height, weight, heart rate, blood pressure, checking eyesight, and more.
It also is the time for the doctor to check your child's health, measuring his or her height and weight, listening to her heart, taking his or her blood pressure, checking eyesight, and more. It also is when your child will be given immunizations.
How are well visits for my child part of high quality health care?
Your child's well visit is a time when you, your child, and your child's doctor can work together to make sure that your child is healthy. Your child's doctor's office can give you a schedule for well visits by age.
- Babies should have at least 6 visits between birth and 15 months. During each well visit, your pediatrician will examine your child to check his or her growth and development, and administer any needed immunizations. The doctor also will talk with you about what to expect as your child grows, including normal changes and problems that may arise, and teach you ways to help your child stay healthy.
- Toddlers and young children should see the pediatrician at least once a year as they get a older. In addition to checking your child's overall health and giving needed immunizations, you and your child's doctor can talk about what changes to expect as your child gets older. Your pediatrician also will test your child's abilities to see, hear, and speak clearly.
- Older children and adolescents still need to see the pediatrician at least once a year. In addition to checking your child's overall health and give immunizations, the pediatrician will start talking more directly to your child about how to make healthy choices and avoid unhealthy behaviors.
What questions should I ask our pediatrician?
In addition to asking about any specific concerns you may have about your child, you also can ask your pediatrician the following questions during well visits:
- How often should my child see you for check-ups?
- What immunizations does my child need today?
- Is my child growing and changing in the ways that you expect?
- Do you have any concerns about how my child is growing and changing?
- How can I reach you if I have questions or concerns about my child's health?
- What can I do at home to help my child stay healthy?
- What kinds of changes can I expect to see in my child before our next visit?
- What are some problems that I should watch for in my child?