The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends approximately 10 well-baby and well-child visits in just the first two years. These routine checkups are very important in assessing your child’s development. Micah Resnick, MD, a board certified pediatrician at Mount Sinai Doctors Queens, explains why.
Well visits are used to make sure your baby is thriving, check the child’s progress against broad established milestones, and provide routine immunizations. You can take a look at the Developmental Milestones Checklist created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, the AAP has a recommended vaccination schedule for those 18 years and younger.
During well visits, your baby will be checked from head to toe. Your child will be weighed and measured, including the head circumference. Pediatricians will examine the baby’s heart, lungs, skin, abdomen, and more. The first year is such an important time, filled with rapid, and often delightful, changes. While I always want to assure parents that all is well, these visits give pediatricians a better chance to discover issues early.
At each visit, your pediatrician will learn more about your baby’s temperament and development. Does your baby make eye contact, smile, and laugh? Is your child able to support his or her head? During early development, I always recommend that parents talk with and read to their baby frequently. Remember, it is never too early to start reading books with your child. Please try to limit screen time before the age of two.
I also take this opportunity to check in on parents. How are you and your partner getting along together? Have you been getting out together without your child? What do you do when problems really get to you? I talk to parents about their interactions with their child, asking questions like: Do you feel attached to your child? Does your child appear attached to you? I try to take the time to question the parents further about their home life. I like to ask about what a typical day looks like. How is the multitude of tasks required to raise a child shared. If things aren’t going so well at home, if parents have more concerns, or we just need more time to talk, I often ask parents to follow up with me in a week or two for more discussion. I am a pediatrician because I love to advocate for children, but I also enjoy taking care of families.
As your child gets older, she will take a more active role in the visit. Pediatricians will ask your child questions and try to engage her in healthy habits including engagement in exercise and good nutrition and sleep habits. For your adolescent child, annual exams present an excellent opportunity to discuss behavioral and socio-emotional concerns, plan for the future, and complete a physical exam to ensure that puberty and growth are progressing appropriately.
I believe in empowering all parents and children. I want my patients to help me improve the quality of care provided by thinking about the visit ahead of time and writing down any questions and concerns. I do my best to answer patient questions and provide resources to help families stay healthy.
Please remember that this information is not a substitute for direct medical advice.
Micah Resnick, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician at Mount Sinai Queens and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His clinical interests include well-child care, adolescent health, preventive medicine, and patient and family education. By educating patients and their families, he empowers them to make healthy decisions and strengthens their compliance with clinical recommendations.
What is a well baby visit?
These visits allow your pediatrician to evaluate the overall health of your child and offer a good opportunity to ask burning questions about feeding, rashes, sleep, and toilet training. Bring a list if you can, to address any general questions on how to improve care and support prevention strategies.
The first well visit takes place when your baby is around three days old. Your child will then be scheduled for a visit at two weeks old, and then two, four, six, nine, and 12 months.
After the 15-month, 18-month, and two year checkups, annual well visits are recommended. Sometimes, Dr. Resnick recommends scheduling a visit for toddlers at 30 months.