Think of your pediatrician as your partner in your child’s health and well being. Your child can’t always judge whether she’s really healthy, and you may not be able to judge whether she’s developing normally. Many conditions that can be caught in a visit to a pediatrician will not show up in daily life — and catching these things early is often the key to correcting the problems and keeping your child on track for a healthy, happy life.
But how often should your child visit the pediatrician? When it comes to health, wellness is key, and regular visits to the doctor are important in promoting wellness in your child. Pediatricians shouldn’t be reserved for when your child gets sick, but should be viewed as an invaluable resource for ensuring that your child stays healthy.
How often should my child visit the doctor?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 7 well-child visits between the ages of 1 and 4.
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 30 months
- 3 years
- 4 years
After four years of age, it’s recommended that children visit the pediatrician for an annual check-up.
Of course, this is merely a general recommendation. Your child may need to visit the doctor more often than the recommended schedule. And if you are concerned about your child’s health, you should schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician immediately.
Why well-child visits are important.
Regular visits to the doctor can prevent health problems and sickness. It’s never a good idea to wait for a health problem to occur and then try to fix it. Your child’s pediatrician is there to work with you and help you to help your child to maintain wellness.
Wellness visits can help doctors identify current health problems. Maybe your child always has the sniffles, or maybe he has a health issue without any symptoms. Your child’s pediatrician can identify those sniffles as an allergy, or help catch a more serious health problem before it’s too late.
They allow you and your child’s pediatrician to keep track of your child’s growth and development. Developmental monitoring can help identify any delays or problems with your child’s growth and development. Again, being made aware of health issues early is the best way to ensure that they don’t become more severe.
Not only do regular well-child visits keep your child healthy and ensure that proper growth and development, but taking your child to the doctor can demonstrate the importance of physicians and help ensure that they continue seeing physicians and maintaining wellness into adulthood. Northwest Arkansas Pediatrics has been voted the best pediatric clinic in Northwest Arkansas. Make an appointment for your child today!