Well child exams are an important part of life for kids. In the first year alone, if your child is following the AAP recommended schedule, your baby will have seen their pediatrician at least 5-7 times.  This may cause you to ask yourself why these visits are so important.  

Why is well care so important?

1. Monitor your child’s growth
2. Monitor developmental milestones
3. Regular physical exams
4. Anticipatory guidance
5. Building a trusted relationship with your child’s doctor

Why a growth chart?

• Telling your child’s weight and height percentile to grandparents will give you confidence in knowing that your baby is not “too skinny” as they have claimed over and over again.
• Knowing that your baby’s big giant head is not as big as other babies his age will give you peace of mind.
• Understanding that your child is tracking along his growth percentile for weight and height will give you one less reason to lose sleep at night.

Why are milestones important to you?

• Knowing that your pediatrician is monitoring your 12 month old closely because she is not saying as many words as she should will help you to focus on enjoying your baby.
• Understanding that your pediatrician is not worried because your 13 month old is not walking yet will help you to know how to help him in other ways.
• Listening to your pediatrician explain why she is not concerned about your baby’s ability to hear will help you have one less thing to worry about.

Why is the physical exam such a focus?

• You won’t have to worry about your baby’s rash anymore after your pediatrician explains that it is normal for babies to have that one.
• Explaining the bump on the back of your child’s head as a normal part of her anatomy will help you to not stress when you notice it while you are helping her brush her hair.

Why anticipatory guidance?

• You will have peace of mind knowing that your child’s next stage should be less difficult that the one that you are leaving.
• You will know what is likely coming next so that when it happens, you will not be surprised.
• Your pediatrician can answer your questions about your kids before you even know to ask them.

Why know your pediatrician?

• Getting to know your child’s doctor in less stressful times helps you to learn to trust them when something big happens.
• Knowing that your questions will be answered by an educated and experienced person helps you to not seek answers from less trusted sources.

Parenting is an emotional journey.  There are many ups and downs when it comes to raising kids. Well child exams take some of the negative emotions out of parenting which allows you to focus on your kids and enjoying your time with them.  Let your pediatrician do the hard work so that you are free to be the parent that you have always wanted to be.

Call us today to find out how 127 Pediatrics can help you take the worries out of parenting!