A well-child appointment is an essential part of preventive care, an opportunity to monitor your infant or child’s growth and development, ask their pediatrician questions, and discuss any health concerns. But if your child has never had one, it’s normal to wonder what to expect.
The experts at Himalaya Family Medicine Clinic in Aurora, Colorado, understand. Here, they break down the process into three main points so you can adequately prepare.
Infants and children grow rapidly, so much so that changes often happen on a weekly or even daily basis. As a parent, you can observe these changes at home, but if you aren’t a doctor, it can be challenging to know what’s normal and what’s not.
During a well-child exam, we assess several factors, including:
If you have specific health concerns, we may also use this time to order screenings for certain conditions, such as asthma, lead exposure, or autism.
After gathering the necessary information, we compare your child’s results to what’s expected for their age. If any concerns arise, we work with you to develop a custom testing and treatment plan.
Vaccines, or immunizations, are one of the best ways to protect your infant or child from contagious illnesses, such as the flu, measles, and mumps.
Vaccines train your child’s immune system to recognize and defend against disease-causing microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. We administer vaccines via a shot or nasal spray.
You may have heard concerns about vaccines, but much of this information isn’t supported by scientific evidence. Multiple studies show that vaccines are overwhelmingly safe and effective, and don’t increase the risk of long-term health issues, such as autism.
If you have questions or concerns about vaccines, let us know. We’re happy to discuss the topic with you and develop an immunization schedule that makes sense for your child and family.
Well-child visits help monitor your child’s health, but we design them to support your entire family. That’s why we always set aside time at the end to address questions or concerns. Topics we regularly discuss with parents include:
No topic is off limits, and we encourage you to share whatever is on your mind. Our goal is to support your child’s growth and development in any way we can.
Some infants and children experience anxiety about doctor’s visits. If your child is one of them, we recommend explaining the appointment ahead of time in age-appropriate terms.
Although this isn’t possible for babies, if you have a young toddler, let them know that their doctor keeps them healthy and that there’s nothing to fear. Some parents even role-play the scenario with dolls or action figures.
Beyond that, we recommend bringing along a favorite toy, stuffed animal, or blanket to help them feel safe and less anxious during the visit.
Whether you recently had a baby or just moved to the area and need to establish pediatric care for your child or teen, we can support your family with routine well-child visits.
To get started, call us at 303-351-1800 or book your visit online today.
