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Health Information For Parents
Regular well-child exams are an important part of keeping kids healthy and up to date on immunizations against many serious childhood diseases.
Checkups also are a chance for you and the doctor to talk about developmental and safety issues, and for you to get answers to any questions about your child’s overall health.
At a typical well-child visit, your child will be weighed and measured and these results will be plotted on growth charts for weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). Using these charts, doctors can see how kids are growing compared with other kids the same age and gender. The doctor will take a family and medical history and do a physical exam.
Your child may be screened for anemia, lead poisoning, tuberculosis, high cholesterol, or other conditions. The doctor also will ask about your child’s eating habits.
The doctor will make sure all immunizations are up to date. At this age, most kids should have had these recommended vaccines:
Your child should also get the flu vaccine every year, ideally before flu season begins. Other vaccines might be needed if the doctor determines that your child is at risk for conditions like meningococcal or pneumococcal disease.
The doctor will check your child’s developmental progress, asking about behavior and specific developmental milestones. Doctors also give a screening test to help identify developmental delays and autism at the 24- or 30-month visit.
Developmental milestones for 3-year-olds include being able to:
Child safety is another topic discussed at well-child visits. The doctor will talk about the importance of using car seats, closely watching kids around swimming pools, preventing poisoning, not smoking around kids, and using sunscreen. In homes with guns, weapons and ammunition should be stored separately and kept locked at all times.
Some symptoms can be signs of an infection, chronic medical condition, or other medical problem. Call your doctor if your child has any of these:
Young children have an average of 6 to 8 colds a year, and also may have several bouts of diarrhea and vomiting, as well as ear infections.
Sleep problems and behavior or discipline concerns are very common at this age and can be frustrating for parents. Your doctor can offer guidance to help you manage these issues too.
Kids this age are naturally active, so be sure to provide lots of opportunities for your child to practice basic skills, such as running, kicking, and throwing.
Along with considering baby names and buying a crib, choosing the right health care provider should be on your to-do list when you’re expecting.
Find out what this doctor’s visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the third year.
Communicating with a child is one of the most pleasurable and rewarding experiences for both parent and child. Learn how to connect with your 2- to 3-year-old.
Find out what this doctor’s visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the second year.
Find out what this doctor’s visit will involve and what your toddler might be doing at this age.
During the third year of life, toddlers are extremely active and mobile, and are learning in very physical ways.
Vaccines help keep kids healthy, but many parents still have questions about them. Get answers here.