Well child visits serve several purposes: they help us to assess your child’s growth and development over time; they allow comprehensive head-to-toe examinations at crucial periods in your child’s physical growth and maturity; they assist in revealing chronic or more serious medical conditions so they can be addressed before they become a problem; they serve as opportunities to educate parents about the developmental, nutritional and physical changes that lie ahead; they permit us to administer your child’s immunizations in a timely and effective manner; and perhaps most importantly, they provide you the opportunity to ask the doctor about your specific concerns and questions.
A typical well-check begins with a nurse asking a series of developmental, nutritional and social questions appropriate to your child’s age. She will then check your child’s height, weight and head circumference. This information can be plotted onto your child’s growth charts, which track his weight and height against averages for his age. Older children will have their vision and blood pressure checked as well. After reviewing this information, your child’s pediatrician will perform a complete physical exam. The doctor can then address any concerns you or your child may have, whether physical, developmental or social. When all questions have been answered, the nurse will return to administer any necessary immunizations and to schedule your next well-check appointment. And each visit is usually followed by a well deserved trip to the sticker or lollipop basket!
