What to Expect During Your Child’s Checkup

What Happens During a Well-Child Visit

After bringing home your little bundle of joy, you may be wondering what you can expect during your little one's checkups. We're here to break it down for you!

How Often Should Your Child Have a Wellness Exam?

Taking your child to the pediatrician when they are healthy is just as important as taking them to see a medical provider when they are sick. It is advised that your little one has an annual well-child visit with their pediatrician.

It is also recommended that well-child visits begin shortly after birth with multiple visits until your child is 3 years old, and annual visits until the child turns 20. A schedule is available at the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP here.

What Happens During a Well-Child Visit

Each visit will include a complete physical exam where your provider will check your child’s hearing, height, vision, weight and other vitals. They will also determine if your child is meeting developmental and growth milestones for their age, given immunizations, and other preventative care that your child may need.

During an annual wellness visit, your child’s medical provider will also:

• Ask about your child’s activities, mood and mental health
• Ask how your child copes with family, friends, and school.
• Get to know your child’s behavior, diet, nutrition, sleeping patterns, social interactions and stress levels.
• Give your child a sports physical if they participate in band or club and school sports.

These visits not only benefit your child, but also allow the provider to help your family establish healthy habits or provide supportive resources or advice on any questions you may have.

The Importance of Establishing a Pediatrician for Your Child

According to the AAP, families without an established pediatrician for their child are least likely to keep up with well-child visits. Children who do have an established medical provider and get annual checkups experience the following health benefits:

• Greater immunization rates.
• Fewer sick visits.
• Decreased use of antibiotics.

For parents, this can mean fewer missed work days and a healthier child and family overall.

Health insurance policies typically cover well-child visits; be sure to check with your insurance provider for details of your policy. You can also avoid additional fees with sports physicals by scheduling a well-child visit that is fully covered by most insurances.

CCH is open, safe and ready to see you.

With almost 80 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in nearly 20 specialties, CCH is committed to your wellbeing right here at home. If you have been putting off a visit to your doctor for a regular checkup, contact them; they can help weigh your personal healthcare risk and avoid further delayed diagnoses.

Visit www.cchwyo.org/findadoc to find your provider or clinic