5 Benefits of Well-Child Exams

5 Benefits of Well-Child Exams: Taking your baby for a good baby check-up is very important for their overall health and well-being. Bastrop Well Child Examination helps you track your child’s development, identify any abnormalities and correct them early. Although it may be tempting to skip a well-child exam if your child isn’t sick, there are many risks in doing so.

Here are the benefits of screening children well;

Track your child’s growth

Children may need up to 10 well-child visits with their primary care provider before they turn two. These tests are important for the health of children of all ages. They also ensure that your baby is developing normally.

Your doctor will measure your child’s height and weight at each well-child visit. Also, they will measure the circumference of the child’s head. Your doctor can follow your child’s growth by comparing your last visit and growth charts for children of the same age. When it comes to growth charts, it is not the percentage that matters but the speed of their growth.

Preventive care

Children’s equipment, medicine, and health care standards may evolve as doctors and researchers gain more knowledge. Following the suggested well-child visit schedule helps ensure that you are up to date on all preventive treatments for your children, such as vaccines and screenings.

Monitor development

During your child’s well-child journey, the topics you’ll discuss will likely be developmental milestones, especially during the early years. These may include social behavior, physical characteristics, and emotional health. Even if your child is not sick, regular visits will establish a pattern that will allow your pediatrician to identify and address any abnormalities or concerns as quickly as possible.

Child Health Education

Your pediatrician can help educate you about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle for your child to prevent future medical conditions caused by poor health habits. They will also provide you with the educational resources and tools you will need to help you at home. This may include topics such as;

Diet: Proper nutrition is essential as children grow. Your doctor will ask about any food allergies or aversions and ways to keep picky eaters nourished.

Sleep Habits: To achieve optimal health, children ages 6 to 12 should regularly get 9 to 12 hours of sleep every 24 hours. Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 need less sleep, averaging 8 to 10 hours every 24 hours. Your doctor can help you understand why your child is not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much.

Develop a collaborative approach

You and your child must develop a relationship with your doctor to be effective partners in your child’s care. Regular visits help build a strong, trusting relationship between therapist, parent, and child. This collaborative approach will help your child’s provider gain a better understanding of your child’s medical history and various life events.