Why Well-Child Visits Matter
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Don't fall behind on your child's routine care — a minor issue today could become a major problem tomorrow.
In today's world, it's more important than ever to make sure your child regularly visits the doctor – not just when they are sick, but also when they are well.
Well-child visits allow your pediatrician to examine your child holistically, assess their physical and emotional needs, support their growth and development, and intervene quickly if any issues arise.
If your child is healthy, it can be easy to let well visits fall by the wayside. While those annual checkups may seem like just another thing to fit into your family’s hectic schedule, they play a crucial role in preventing future problems.
Well visits are essential to ensure your child gets the required vaccinations to attend school, go to daycare and participate in sports. Visiting the pediatrician when your child is well also provides you with an opportunity to ask questions – and get expert answers – about your child’s health, development and well-being. Delaying these visits can put your child at greater risk of illness or delay needed interventions. For example, many common developmental delays are discovered during routine checkups with pediatricians – early intervention makes a big difference in getting your child the support they need before something small turns into a bigger issue.
During an annual wellness visit, your child's pediatrician will:
A standard well-child visit schedule spans from infancy through adolescence, and includes checkups at the following ages:
Your pediatrician can be a trusted partner at every age and stage of your child’s development.
Contributed by: Lisa Biggs, MD
Are you looking for advice to keep your child healthy and happy? Do you have questions about common childhood illnesses and injuries? Subscribe to our Health Tips newsletter to receive health and wellness tips from the pediatric experts at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, straight to your inbox. Read some recent tips.