As a parent, there are a lot of things that you do to ensure that your children grow up strong and healthy. You feed them nutritious meals and provide a solid foundation for their education. Throughout their youth, one of the best things you can do for your children is to maintain their annual wellness exams.
Why are Wellness Exams Important?
Wellness exams are an integral part of childhood health and well-being. No two children are the same. They will grow and develop at different rates physically, mentally, and emotionally. in most cases, these rates are perfectly within a normal range. However, a parent can only ensure this is the case with the input of a pediatrician.
What Happens During a Pediatric Wellness Exam?
During a wellness exam, your pediatrician will address all of the appropriate developmental milestones for your child’s age. They will measure height, weight, and even cognition. They will inquire about your child’s eating habits, exercise habits, and behavior. If a parent has any concerns ranging from what their child will and will not eat to temper tantrums, this is the time and place to get answers.
Your pediatrician will also conduct a thorough physical exam to ensure there are no detectable health concerns. This includes checking the ears, nose, and throat, taking blood pressure, and listening to the heart and lungs. This is often the time when issues such as vision problems or hearing deficits come to light.
Finally, your pediatrician will administer any vaccinations that are needed at this point in time for your child. These vaccinations protect them against common and severe diseases ranging from chickenpox to polio. Records of updated vaccinations are also required for most daycares and schools.
What is Needed from Parents at a Wellness Exam?
The insight and input from parents at their child’s wellness exam are invaluable. You know your child better than anyone. You know their daily habits, diet, behavior and moods, and what is normal or abnormal for them. Your pediatrician will likely have many questions about your child’s day-to-day life to help them understand where they stand developmentally. Only you can adequately answer such questions. Likewise, it is also important that you come prepared with any questions or concerns of your own. Bringing a list of topics you would like to address will help ensure you don’t forget and that you get the most out of your appointment.
Childhood and adolescence is the time when the foundation is set for a healthy future. Ensure your child is set up for success along each step of the way by attending annual wellness exams with your pediatrician. At Lane Pediatrics, we have skilled and compassionate physicians who are here to help guide both you and your child through these most crucial years.
