“Kids grow like weeds,” the saying goes. With all that growing, a lot of changes occur in the body. Bones are lengthening, minds expanding, and personalities blossoming.
Family medicine doctors, pediatricians and other primary care providers conduct “well-child visits” for several reasons. These checkups are opportunities for the health care provider to review several different parts of a child’s well-being. It also gives the health care provider a chance to touch base with the child’s caregiver and discuss any areas of concern. This is a perfect time to ask the child’s provider about any lingering concerns regarding sleeping, eating, growing, playing, screen time, or any really anything.
The age of the child will determine how often their provider recommends checkups.
• In the first two years of life, a provider will see the infant fairly often. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that infants be seen in the first week of life, at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months old.
• After the age of 1 year, it is suggested that children be seen at 15 months, 18 months, and 24 months.
• Screening for autism spectrum disorder specifically takes place at 9, 18, and 30 months.
• After the age of 3 years, children should be seen annually.
