A Parent’s Guide for Routine Well Child Visits

It’s a knee-jerk reaction to take your kid to the doctor when they are sick. But, when they get healthy, it becomes easier to skip recommended routine appointments. However, these well child visits are a key component to their growth and long-term health.

What is a Well Child Visit?

A well child visit is a health check-up recommended for children to ensure they are growing and developing normally. These doctor’s examinations typically start a few days after birth and continue until a child reaches 18 years of age.

What to Expect at a Well Child Visit

During a well child visit, your doctor will likely:

• Perform a physical exam
• Give any necessary shots (immunizations or vaccinations)
• Track how your child is growing and developing
• Inform about illness prevention, diet and physical fitness, and health and safety issues
• Instruct how to handle emergencies and sudden illnesses

As the doctor examines your child, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Recommended Times for Doctor’s Visits

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a recommended schedule of visits for children. You should visit a doctor for a well child checkup:

• 2-5 days or first week
• Months 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9
• 1 year
• Months 15 and 18
• 2 years
• 30 months

Beginning at age three, a well child visit, including a physical exam and a developmental, behavioral, and learning assessment, should be scheduled once a year.

3 Ways Doctor’s Visits Benefit Children

1)      Prevention

A well child appointment also provides an opportunity to receive regularly scheduled immunizations, which can prevent illnesses.

2)      Monitoring Development

From visit to visit and year to year, your doctor can track your child’s growth and development through important childhood milestones.

3)      Learn more about Health

Your routine visits provide a forum to ask a professional any health-related questions you might have.

Advantage Care’s Mission

Advantage Care’s mission is to ensure that all children and adults have professional patient care with continuous access to quality health care services. We are firm believers in the importance of well child visits.

We C.A.R.E. About Your Health

• Coordinated
• Accessible
• Reliable
• Efficient

Our team of compassionate and caring medical professionals has extensive training and experience in delivering quality patient care to children. Request an appointment below!