Why an Annual Well-Child Visit Matters

A new school year is always an exciting time for families. From buying school supplies and that first-day outfit, the end of summer can be a very busy time for a family. But one of the most important preparations for the school year isn't found on the school supply aisle – that item is your child's annual well-child visit.  

Well-child checkups help ensure your child is health, growing as expected and ready throughout the school year. These preventatives visits give your healthcare provider the opportunity to check-in on your child's physical, emotional and developmental health and identify any concerns before they become bigger problems.  

When it comes to choosing your child's provider, you have options. Pediatricians are doctors who have specialized training in caring for children. But a family medicine doctor or provider can provide quality well-child visits. Family medicine doctors and nurse practitioners care for patients at all stages of life, from childhood to old age.  

What happens at a well-child visit? 

Unlike a visit to the doctor when you are ill, a well-child visit focuses on keeping your child healthy and monitoring that they are hitting their developmental milestones. These visits also allow parents and guardians to ask their questions or highlight any concerns they may have.  

While each child is different, overall, most well-child visits include: 

• Checking vitals 
• Measuring height and weight 
• Reviewing growth and developmental milestones 
• Updating recommended immunizations 
• Discussing sleep, nutrition and physical activity 
• Talking about school performance and social development 
• Addressing behavioral or mental health concerns 
• Encouraging healthy habits 
• Answering questions from parents and caregivers. 

Most importantly, these visits allow an opportunity to discuss any concerns that may not seem urgent but are important to your child's long-term health as well as building a trusted relationship between your child and their healthcare provider that highlight the important of preventative care throughout their life. Preventative care plays an important role in keeping children healthy, resulting in fewer missed school days, establishing healthy habits, and performing their best both inside and outside the classroom.  

How often will my child need well-child visits? 

During the first few years of life, your child grows rapidly and will need frequent checkups. Here are the ages at which your child needs to see the doctor: 

• 1 week. 
• 1 month. 
• 2 months. 
• 4 months. 
• 6 months. 
• 9 months. 
• 12 months. 
• 15 months. 
• 18 months. 
• 2 years. 
• 2½ years. 
• Between ages 3 and 21, your child may need an annual well-child visit. Ask your doctor when they want to see your child next. 

Back-to-school time is the perfect time to schedule your child's wellness visits to help you and your family stay ahead of the busy school season.  

Your Partners in Health 

At Lake Charles Memorial, our primary care providers are committed to supporting your family's health. Whether it's monitoring growth, answering questions or helping your family stick to healthy habits, we're here to partner with your family every step of the well.  

To schedule your primary care appointment, click here.  

Resources: 

American Academy of Family Physicians 

American Academy of Pediatrics 

U.S Department of Health and Human Services