Your Guide to Well-Child Visits

Jun 6, 2018 8:31:56 AM / by Voyage Healthcare Team posted in Health Tips

At Voyage Healthcare, our family medicine providers focus on healthcare for all ages and stages.

For children, these most often include well-child visits and appointments for colds and upper respiratory infections, says Dr. Colson, M.D., family medicine practitioner and Voyage Healthcare President.

kid with kite

It can be hard to predict when your child might come down with a cold or break a bone.

But well child visits can - and should - be scheduled regularly.

What should you expect at well-child appointments? And how often should you schedule them?

Here’s our guide.

What Happens at Well-Child Visits?

Well-child visits are an important part of your child’s medical care. Here’s what you can expect at each appointment.

The main purpose of well-child visits is to check on your child’s growth and development, to prevent problems, and to catch issues early. This includes checking height and weight. Depending on the visit, the appointment may include hearing, vision, and other screenings.

Depending on your child’s age, it may also be time for certain immunizations. Wondering if your child is up to date on vaccines? Check out this schedule of recommended immunizations.

Do you have questions or concerns about your child’s health? Well-child visits are a great time to get your questions answered. To prepare for your visit, write down any questions or concerns you have. This helps you - and your child - get the most out of your time with your provider.

When Should I Schedule Well Child Visits?

Well child visits are important for healthy growth and development. Since young children grow faster, you’ll need to schedule more appointments during these years.

Here are some common milestones children reach at different ages. Remember, reach out to your provider right away if you have questions about your child’s development! Catching issues early can be critical for getting your child the care they need to thrive.

Infants (0-1 year)

In general, infants should be seen at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months.

From beginning to smile by two months to saying “mama” or “dada” by their first birthday,  there’s a lot going on in the first year! Learn more about developmental milestones and immunizations for your infant on the CDC website.

Toddler (1-3 years)

As a toddler (1-3 years old), your child should see their provider at 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, and 3 years.

By 15 months, your child will probably have a small vocabulary and be able to follow simple directions.

By 18 months, your child may begin to have temper tantrums and display more independence, walking alone, or eating with a spoon.

The two year milestone brings its own joys and frustrations.

Although this milestone can sometimes be known as the “terrible twos,” “keep in mind that his actions are not acts of defiance directed towards you; he’s developing independence and learning how to express his frustration,” says Erin Smith at Parents Magazine. Keeping calm and helping your child develop decision-making skills can be especially helpful for getting through this period. And remember, this phase usually ends by age four as children get better at verbally expressing their needs and accomplishing tasks independently.

Young Child (3-5 years)

At three years, your child will usually start to see their provider on an annual schedule (less frequently than infants and toddlers).

By three years, most children understand ideas of “mine,” “his,” and “hers.” They can usually dress and undress independently, and can “talk well enough for strangers to understand most of the time,” says the CDC.

At four years, your child usually can tell stories, say their first and last name, hop and stand on one foot, and use scissors.

By five years old, most children can distinguish “real” and “pretend,” speak clearly, and use a fork and spoon.

School-Aged Child

Your child should continue with annual appointments after reaching school age.

There are a variety of milestones children continue to reach throughout childhood. Check out this guide or talk to your provider for more information, and to learn what to look for at each age.

Choosing the Right Family Medicine Provider

It’s important that you feel comfortable with your family medicine provider and confident you’ve made the right decision for yourself and your child.

At Voyage Healthcare, our family medicine providers offer a wide range of primary care for their patients. They care for all ages, from newborn infants to the elderly, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. They offer preventive care along with the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions and diseases such as High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Congestive Heart Failure.

We offer a full line of services that include:

  • Well Child Preventive Visits
  • Acute Childhood Illness and Injuries
  • Immunizations
  • Hearing and Vision Screenings
  • Developmental Screening
  • Acute orthopedic injuries
  • Health maintenance visits for adults and children
  • Common dermatologic complaints including rashes and skin growths
  • Minor surgical procedures including skin cancers, toenails, joint injections
  • Casting and splinting

Our family medicine providers see patients at our Maple Grove, Osseo, and Plymouth locations. Call (763) 587-7999 to schedule an appointment!

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Voyage Healthcare Team

Written by Voyage Healthcare Team

Voyage Healthcare is an independently owned, multi-specialty healthcare clinic — guided by the doctors who care for families in the northwest metro area of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

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