For a child to be as healthy as possible, it is crucial to schedule well-child appointments with their pediatrician. Your child's pediatrician can ensure you make the best choices for your child's health. You should work with your child's pediatrician to make sure all preventative care is taken care of. The following are some things you should know about well-child appointments.

What Exactly Is a Well-Child Appointment?

A well-child appointment is a scheduled appointment for your child in which the pediatrician does an overall check of your child's health. Newborns and infants will have many well-visit checks within their first year of life. As your child gets older, they will have a well-visit appointment once each year.

What Happens at a Well-Child Appointment?

During a well-child appointment, the pediatrician will check your child's physical health. This includes checking their blood pressure and heart rate. The doctor will check for any illnesses or answer any questions you may have about sicknesses your child had recently. If your child is due for vaccinations, the pediatrician will schedule those as well. This visit is also a good time to address milestones your child should be reaching at their current age or any delayed milestones you have concerns about. The pediatrician should also check in with your child's mental and emotional health as well. This visit is also a good time for parental education on child development.

How Do You Prepare for a Well-Child Appointment?

Before your child's well-child appointment, take some time to get prepared. If you have any questions you need to ask the pediatrician or have some concerns you would like to talk about, make sure to write them down so you do not forget anything. If you think your child may need to see a specialist for a certain medical issue, be sure to ask the pediatrician who they recommend for your child's needs.

On the day of the appointment, make sure to arrive at the office a little early. You will need to check-in. Your child might be nervous about going to the doctor, so you may want to bring along something that is comforting to them, such as a favorite toy, a game, or even a tablet for your child to watch a quick video to help them calm down.

If your child needs vaccinations, you may want to have a supply of ibuprofen and acetaminophen on hand to help control any fever or chills that often accompany immunizations. For more information, contact a pediatrician near you.