Well-Child Exam

What is a well-child exam?

A well-child exam is an annual exam that should be scheduled when your child is feeling healthy. It’s a time for the pediatrician to evaluate your child’s growth to see if they’re on a generally considered healthy path. During a well-child exam, the team also: 

• Monitors your child’s development
• Offers screenings for specific health problems
• Educates parents
• Administers immunizations

A well-child exam is a time for the team to evaluate your child when they’re not having symptoms of an illness. This gives them time to attend to lifestyle and general health, which is important to your child’s long-term well-being.

What happens during a well-child exam?

When you and your child come in for a well-child exam, the team takes important health measurements, including height (or length), weight, blood pressure (ages three and up), heart rate, body temperature.   

Your nurse asks questions about your child’s development, physical activity level, diet, health habits, and school performance. The team takes the time to get to know your child and learn about any health concerns you may have. The doctor performs a physical examination and administers any needed vaccines. 

How often should I schedule well-child exams?

By the time your child is 30 months old, they should have a total of eight well-child visits. These occur at:

• The first week of life
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 3 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 12 months
• 15 months
• 18 months
• 24 months

After that, annual well-child exams are sufficient unless your child has a special health need. 

How do I know what immunizations my child needs?

The team at  Pedi Place @ Westover Hills follows the schedule of immunizations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Immunizations that your child should receive include: 

• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
• IPV (polio)
• Hepatitis B
• HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
• PCV-13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine)
• Rotavirus
• Influenza
• Varicella
• Hepatitis A
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Meningococcal
• HPV (human papillomavirus)

Talk to the pediatric team if you have questions or concerns about any vaccine. They can explain the importance of your child receiving vaccines and compassionately field your concerns. 

Immunizations can cause mild side effects, like fever or pain at the injection site, but they are well-researched and proven to be safe. 

Call Pedi Place @ Westover Hills today or fill out the online form to request an appointment.