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Well Child Examination
Meet With the Pediatrician
Well Child Examination
Well child examination is an essential part of your child’s care. When you have a newborn, you see your pediatrician often, but those many visits eventually shift to annual check-ups. It’s important to keep these appointments every year so your pediatrician can monitor your child’s growth and development and assess their current health. At Wellness Pediatrics, we consider well-child examinations an opportunity to bond with our young patients and help them develop into thriving individuals.
What Happens at a Well Child Examination?
Wellness exams are essential during every year of your child’s life, from infancy through the teen years. These visits are an opportunity for you to see how your child is growing and developing and for your pediatrician to deliver a host of good care at one time, including:
- Physical exam: These exams are the foundation of your child’s health and wellness and an opportunity for your pediatrician to track your child’s development and screen for signs of illness. Your doctor will check vitals, vision, ears, nose, throat, lungs, heart, genitals, abdomen, and skin. There will also be a review of motor function, reflexes, strength, spine curvature, and gait abnormalities.
- Mental wellness evaluation: A child’s mental health is part of their overall well-being. Your pediatrician will ask you and your child questions to assess whether there are any levels of anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, learning difficulties, concentration problems, or other mental health conditions present that could be a detriment to their well-being.
- Milestone review: Every child reaches notable milestones at their own pace, like sitting up, walking, losing teeth, and puberty. Your pediatrician will identify any concerns she has with your child’s progress if there are notable delays.
- Development discussion: Your provider will review and assess your child’s growth and development. They chart your child’s height and weight from year to year to track for consistency or any major variations from the norm.
- Vaccinations and immunizations: Your child will receive any scheduled vaccinations as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. They will not always need shots at every visit.
Be Open with Your Child’s Pediatrician
Your pediatrician does everything possible to put your child at ease during their well child examination. There will be a lot of talking that occurs around the examination portion of the visit. Often, children have plenty to say and want to share with the doctor – sometimes, parents must do all the talking for their shy child.
No matter what, make sure you have your say and voice all the questions and concerns you have about your child’s growth and development. Your pediatrician can only see what is right in front of her – your day-to-day living with your child and what you see in them and how they behave is valuable and necessary information that your doctor wants to hear about, from nutrition to behavior, friendships to sleep habits.
Your pediatrician wants your child to have a successful present and future, just like you. Any concerns regarding their overall health or changes to their health must be addressed. You can talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about:
- Missing milestones
- Puberty
- Behavioral issues
- Unhealthy friendships
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Family changes like moving or divorce
Get a Well Child Examination Near Me in Birmingham
At Wellness Pediatrics in Birmingham, MI, we are committed to supporting you and your child so they can thrive and live a happy, healthy life. Our team makes every effort to ensure that your child feels comfortable during their visits and you feel confident that they are getting the thorough care you expect.
If you are in search of a new pediatrician for your family, or you are expecting a baby, schedule a visit with Wellness Pediatrics. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice.