Ensuring Bright Futures: The Vital Role of Well-Child Visits in Your Child’s Health and Development

In the whirlwind of parenthood, it often feels like children grow in the blink of an eye. Regular well-child visits are a cornerstone for parents, providing a crucial opportunity to monitor their child’s growth, track developmental milestones, and discuss any health concerns that may arise. Pediatrician Wendi Johnson, M.D., emphasizes the importance of these checkups in tracking physical, emotional, and social development. These visits also allow for sharing successes, discussing challenges, and ensuring your child receives recommended vaccinations for illness prevention.

“Parents are a child’s first teacher, and at well-child visits, providers coach moms and dads on what the next ‘lessons’ should be,” Dr. Johnson said. “Think of these visits as your chance to learn as much as possible about the best ways to help your child grow.” By focusing on your child’s growth and learning, you and your healthcare professional ensure your child is developing as expected.

Your child’s height, weight, head circumference, and milestones are recorded to track growth and development and identify any problems. Hearing, vision, and other screening tests are also a part of the visit, along with a review of immunizations. Dr. Johnson recommends well-child visits for babies and young toddlers two weeks after the initial newborn visit, followed by visits at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30 months. Starting at age 3, kids and teens need one preventive care visit every year through age 21.