Are Well Visits Really Necessary?

From your child’s birth onward, you will see us frequently for checkups. Some people feel they are not necessary.  Below are some of the reasons for them.

Well Visits Look at Your Child’s Growth

Many factors influence growth, and not all children grow well or normally.  To monitor growth,  we use growth charts to plot your child’s height, weight and head circumference to make sure it is steady, fast enough and that your child’s weight and Body Mass Index (a measure of being overweight or not) are appropriate.  Things like hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency and other illnesses can adversely affect how a child grows.

Well Visits Offer Vaccinations

Well visits provide us with an opportunity to give your child appropriate vaccines, determine whether other vaccines may be necessary (such as for international travel). We also provide you with forms for childcare, preschool, and school and school sports.

Well Visits Check on Chronic Issues

During a well visit, we can refill asthma medications, check for any new illnesses or injuries since the last visit, and anticipate other issues that may arise in the year to avoid further appointments.

Well Visits Assess Development

We assess your child’s development through infancy and childhood from birth to five years. These are important times for your child’s growth, and developmental issues that arise can sometimes be evaluated early to avoid problems later. We have an autism screen we use after one year old, and perform a developmental questionnaire at each well visit. When your child starts school, well visits are time to ask about your child’s performance in school and also how your child is integrating into family and social life.

Schedule Your Child’s Well Visit

Our goal is to support your child to grow and thrive through infancy and childhood into adulthood. Let our Pediatrics team know if you have questions about your child during the well visits so you can receive the full benefit they offer.