The Importance of Well-Child Visits

Preventive care is important for everyone, but especially for children, and preventive care begins with well-child visits. Dr. Yvonne Pacquing and Dr. Melissa McNier at Sunshine Pediatric Partners in Saginaw, MI, provide comprehensive medical services for children, including well-child visits.

How Well-Child Visits Can Help Your Child Stay Healthy

Well-child visits begin early, usually within the first 2 to 5 days of birth. Then, well-child visits should occur at 2 weeks old, followed by visits at 1,2,4,6,9,15, and 18 months, and then again at 2 years of age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. To view or print recommendations for your child's healthcare from the American Academy of Pediatrics, please click here.

So, why are well-child visits so important? They provide an opportunity for your child’s pediatrician to carefully monitor the growth, development, and overall health of your child. Consider that well-child visits can:

• Establish baseline information so your child’s pediatrician can track your child's growth and development
• Assess your child’s behavioral and developmental milestones
• Help identify minor medical issues, so they can be treated early
• Give you the tools and information you need to care for your child’s health, eating, sleeping, behavioral, and other issues

One of the most important ways well-child visits help your child stay healthy is to provide an opportunity to administer vaccines. Your child needs vaccines to attend daycare or school. Well-child visits are the perfect time to make sure your child is current and immunized against serious conditions like hepatitis, meningitis, and more. To view or print the Centers for Disease Control recommendations for immunizations, please click here.

Want To Know More?

To discover more about the importance of well-child visits and how they can help your child stay healthy, call Dr. Pacquing and Dr. McNier at Sunshine Pediatric Partners in Saginaw, MI. You can reach them in the office by calling (989) 793-1202, so call today.