The Center for Family Practice
Family Medicine & Internists located in Latham, NY
Well-child care exams are important for your child's health, and they're different from sick visits. Well-child care ensures your child is growing and developing correctly, and keeps them caught up on their immunizations. A yearly school physical is required for initial school entrance, as well as many sports and other after-school activities. To schedule a well-child care visit with a friendly expert at the Center for Family Practice, call the office in Latham, New York, today, or make an appointment online.
What is well-child care?
A well-child care visit is an opportunity for you and your physician to ensure that your child is healthy and that their body and brain are developing as they should. The visit allows your doctor to identify any problems in the earliest stages when treatments are most effective. If your child has any existing health conditions, a well-check is a time to monitor the condition, and adjust their treatment plan if needed.
Well-child care exams also provide you with the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns you may have about your child's health and development. Most schools and childcare facilities require your child to have a physical exam in order to attend. And immunizations are typically conducted during well-child care visits.
What happens during a well-child care visit?
During a well-child care visit, your skilled Center for Family Practice provider will first review your child's medical and family history. Next, they'll perform a comprehensive physical exam. This exam typically includes:
- Measuring height and weight
- Taking your child's temperature
- Listening to your child's heart, lungs, and stomach
- Palpating the abdomen
- Checking for swelling in the joints
- Assessing your child's reflexes
Your provider will also ask your child a few questions to make sure their mental development is on track. They'll also ask you and your child about their eating habits, and other questions that provide information about their health.
When the physical exam is complete, your child will receive any vaccinations they may need. Your caring provider will also give you age-specific information about your child's nutrition, sleep schedule, activities, and anything else you need to know to keep them as healthy as possible until your next well-child visit.
What happens during a well-child care visit?
How often do I need to schedule a well-child care exam?
Well-child care visits are scheduled based on your child's age. Babies and toddlers see their provider frequently; well-checks are recommended at 3-5 days after birth, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 2 ½ years, and 3 years.
When your child reaches the age of three, yearly well-child exams are recommended.
If your child requires a school physical or is due for a well-child care exam, call the Center for Family Practice today, or make an appointment online.