Importance of Regular Well Child Visits

It’s important to establish children with a pediatrician so that their health baselines can be monitored regularly throughout each stage of their life, from infancy to young adulthood. Well-child visits are comprehensive, preventative check-ups that are vital to each child and teen’s overall health and wellbeing.

At Renown Children’s Hospital, our Pediatric Primary Care team is dedicated to treating children with personalized medical care – we are focused on each child’s individualized healthcare needs, offering services ranging from well-child visits and immunizations to sports physicals, care for illnesses and minor injuries, mental health support and specialist referrals when needed. Here is an overview of the timeline and importance of well-child visits for you to reference as you care for your children.

Well-Child Visit Schedule

Renown Children’s Primary Care provides the following well-child visit schedule:

• Three to five days after birth
• 2 weeks
• Two months
• Four months
• Six months
• Nine months
• One year
• 15 months
• 18 months
• Two years, and yearly after

What to Expect

• Newborn (3-5 days old)
• At a baby's first well-child visit, the pediatrician will review the results of the baby’s hearing and blood screenings received in the hospital. They will take measurements of the baby’s weight, length and head to determine if growth is on track. They will also complete a head-to-toe physical exam to check for any abnormalities with the baby’s skin, ears, eyes, mouth, hips, abdomen, umbilical cord, lungs and heart rate. The pediatrician will check for hemoglobin and anemia concerns and check on the newborn’s reflexes and ask the baby’s parents about their sleeping, eating and bowel movement patterns.
• Infant (2-12 months)
• Well-child visits for infants include continuing to monitor and measure the baby’s weight, growth and developmental milestones. The pediatrician will complete a full physical exam and discuss vaccines with the baby’s parents, administering them in accordance with the vaccine schedule that is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. The pediatrician will also check in with the parents on their baby’s sleeping, eating and bowel movement patterns.
• Toddlers (1-2 years)
• At a toddler’s well-child visits, the pediatrician will continue to track their weight, growth and development. The pediatrician will check for hemoglobin and anemia concerns and complete a physical exam checking the child’s hearing and vision, teeth, heart, lungs and motor skills. The pediatrician will ask the parents about their sleeping, eating and bowel movement patterns, and they will administer any necessary vaccines.
• Childhood (2-12 years)
• When a child reaches the age of two, their well-child visits will take place once a year. During their annual well-child visit, the pediatrician will track their weight, growth, blood pressure and cognitive development. They will also continue to monitor the child's hearing and vision and discuss healthy sleep, eating and physical activity habits with the parents. The pediatrician will complete a physical exam and check for hemoglobin and anemia concerns. They will administer any necessary vaccines at each check-up. Around age 8, the pediatrician also evaluates the child’s mental health, by having open conversations with the child and their paren.
• Teenagers (13-17 years)
• For teenagers, well-child visits will include measuring height and weight and checking blood pressure, vision and hearing. The pediatrician will check for hemoglobin and anemia concerns and administer appropriate vaccines for their age. The pediatrician will talk to teens about their physical health, ensuring they get the right amount of sleep, eat a healthy diet and consistently exercise. The pediatrician will also talk to them about their mental health, to identify if they have any feelings of anxiety, depression or stress. Pediatricians can recognize when a patient is struggling with their mental health and provide appropriate resources and guidance. They can also discuss and answer any of the teenager’s questions about safety and sexual health. During a teenager’s well-child visit, physicians can also complete their sports and camp participation physicals.

Scheduling Your Child’s Visits

Renown offers convenient, online scheduling to schedule your child’s pediatric care visit within minutes. The online scheduling feature enables new patients to schedule appointments as guests and find a healthcare provider conveniently. Returning, established MyChart patients can log in to book appointments. Learn more at renown.org/appointments.

Preparing for Each Check-Up

For parents, it is important to come to each of their child’s check-ups prepared. It is helpful to keep a log of questions or concerns to discuss with the pediatrician at the time of the visit. It can also be helpful for parents to have their own regular check-ins with their child, to help them gain a better of understanding of their child’s current physical and mental health status. When parents have open communication with their children and the pediatrician, it increases the chances of earlier intervention and leads to better outcomes.