When you have a newborn child and are seeking out the best pediatricians, you might feel like life is out of your control. Trying to schedule the most appropriate times for your child to receive kids care can be daunting. Nevertheless, it needs to be a top priority so your child grows up to be a healthy adult.
In this brief article, we’ll help simplify when and where you should be bringing your child in for kids care as well as the benefits you can expect to receive. Pediatric physicians do more than diagnose illnesses. They can help with everything from giving recommendations on how to fix certain fussy behaviors or contact a specialist if needed.
When Should Your Child Visit The Doctor?
One of the most basic questions that new parents have is when exactly their child should visit the doctor. Children change an incredible amount as they age, and it’s more than just physical growth. Healthy psychological development is also a factor that must be monitored and cared for, lest your child miss a benchmark that needs to be addressed.
In general, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children visit the doctor at regular intervals. From the day they’re born until their first birthday, they should be checking in every month or two unless specified otherwise. The progression usually goes birth, 3-5 days, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and ends at one year. In fact, more than 95% of newborns undergo a hearing test in their very first month. This is important considering that one to three babies out of every 1,000 will have some level of hearing loss.
After their first birthday, assuming that you haven’t run into any problems in kids care, the schedule gets a bit easier. Until they reach kindergarten, children should go to the doctor at 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, and 3 years. After the age of three years, the standard recommendation of getting a check-up once a year goes into effect until the age of 21.
What Else Will My Pediatrician Provide?
Perhaps the greatest thing about kids care is that a pediatrician can also help with parenting advice. If your child tends to have fussy eating behaviors, won’t go to bed on time, or is experiencing or complaining of pain that doesn’t add up, it’s likely that your pediatrician has experienced this with another child. Especially if they have a long practice history and have been able to see multiple cases of children with the same issue.
It’s common to think that when we go to the doctor we’ll receive some kind of pill or magic serum, but many pediatricians will also be able to give you non-medical advice. Instead of providing your child with medication, they may check them for nutritional deficiencies or recommend for them to eat more of a certain food. They might also suggest you adjust their bedtime, buy specific diapers, or give them more playtime.
A Good Pediatrician Is Worth Their Weight In Gold
In terms of getting quality kids care and making your life a whole lot easier, a pediatrician is worth their weight in gold. Not only will they be looking out for your child specifically every couple of months to a year, but the personal relationship they build can be a lifetime influence on their health and well-being. Just like seeing a dentist early on, receiving good health tips from a pediatrician that they know and trust can set your child on a path to a healthier life.
