Last year, nearly 93% of children saw a doctor for a check-up. Child well checks are an important part of childhood development, especially given today’s challenges. It’s crucial to not fall behind on these wellness checks, as a small problem now could grow to be a larger problem in the future.

Well checks for kids allow pediatricians to assess a child’s development both physically and emotionally. This means that intervention can be quick if a problem is detected. It gives your child a greater chance of overcoming the difficulty or potential illness.

What Child Well Checks Take Care Of

At your scheduled child well check, your pediatrician will go over a range of things depending on the needs and age of your child. A few things that are common include:

  • Assessing the developmental and growth milestones to see if your child is matching up to the others in their age group.
  • Testing vision and hearing to catch any potential issues early.
  • Evaluating mental wellbeing which can involve asking questions about how they are coping with life events, school, peers, or any other changes.
  • Immunizations will also be administered according to age.
  • Some pediatricians will also advise on developing healthy habits including proper exercise and diet.

Exactly what your pediatrician decides to do will depend on the child, what has been detected or discussed during the previous visits, and what is advisable for their age group. If you have any questions or concerns, these visits are a good time to bring them up. Because pediatricians specialize in kids care, they will be able to advise you on the best courses of action for any problems or difficulties your child is having.

What Are the Dangers of Missing Child Well Checks?

When your child appears healthy, it can be easy to forget about child well checks. As a result, you might fall behind on your scheduled visits. However, it’s best not to forgo these visits, as they can help prevent future problems and ensure that your child continues to grow up happy and healthy.

Well visits may seem trivial when your child displays no signs of ill health, but oftentimes, they are also required before registering for school, daycare programs, or sports. This makes them nearly unavoidable, especially if your child is planning on going to a school with these requirements. Additionally, these checks give you the opportunity to ask questions and get professional answers from someone who knows your child and their healthcare needs. For instance, if you’re concerned about a delay that you’ve noticed, your pediatrician can advise you on the best course of action. Some delays can be expected, and not all require intervention; however, many of the most common developmental disorders are discovered during these check-ups, and this early detection can make a difference. If a seemingly small delay turns out to be something potentially more hindering, the early intervention can help give your child the support they need so that they can succeed going forward.

Child well checks are an important part of keeping your child healthy and happy. Without your regularly scheduled visits, important problems could be potentially overlooked until they become more difficult to treat. Some developmental problems could also put your child at risk of falling behind their peers and without the proper detection, this could lead to academic struggles that could set them back for years. Similarly, minor physical problems could go undetected until they pose a significant threat, putting your child at significant risk.

When it comes to child well checks, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you haven’t scheduled your child’s next checkup, consider contacting Pediatrix. Our attentive, caring staff are ready to handle all of your child’s needs. Contact us today for more information!