Children’s health needs change quickly. Regular well-child visits give families an opportunity to check in on their growth to make sure children receive the care they need at every stage.
What is a well-child visit?
A well-child visit is a routine check-in that gives parents and doctors a comprehensive look at a child’s overall health. Through a structured, in-person evaluation, it offers essential information about your child’s developing health needs.
The younger your child is, the more frequent visits are recommended, since babies and toddlers do so much growing in such a short time. The Mahaska Health Pediatrics Team encourages regular appointments according to age.
“It is important for babies to have frequent well visits. After being born, they are seen every 3–5 days. After the first month, they’re seen about every 2 weeks.
Babies’ next visits are usually scheduled at:
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 12 months
• 15 months
• 18 months
• 24 months
• 30 months
Starting at 3 years old, well-child visits become annual.
It is still important for school-age children and adolescents to have annual well-child visits to continue to monitor growth, discuss age-appropriate behaviors and expectations, and address mental health. Also, for the adolescent visit, an annual sports physical can be included.” — Dr. Holly Van de Voort
Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits, for a detailed well-child visit schedule from newborn through adolescence.
What happens at a well-child visit?
While appointments differ based on age and individual needs, they are aimed at:
• Tracking growth, measuring height, weight, and vitals while identifying anything unusual
• Confirming developmental milestones like speech, motor skills, and vision
• Preventing illness, receiving vaccines, and getting preventative screenings
• Understanding behavior, mental health, and social interactions
• Providing support for parents
• Building trust and a health history as your child grows
The well-child visit covers a physical exam and vitals, mental and emotional health, growth and development, vaccines and screenings, and parental guidance.
Head-to-Toe Check
During the physical exam, your pediatrician will do a head-to-toe check of your child’s health, including heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, and blood pressure, starting at age 3.
This part of the visit gives your family medicine and primary care provider an opportunity to evaluate your child’s physical health and identify changes from previous appointments. Regular visits also create a health record that can help your care team understand what is typical for your child over time.
Meeting Milestones
Your child will be measured for height, weight, BMI, and developmental milestones that include motor skills, learning, and social interactions.
Development looks different at each age. Reviewing milestones during regular visits helps your provider understand how your child is progressing physically and socially. Parents can also discuss milestones they have noticed at home and ask questions about their child’s development. The CDC provides several resources you can use to track milestones on its website at cdc.gov/act-early/milestones.
Preventing Illness
You’ll have an immunization review, vision and hearing screenings, and preventive care based on your child’s age.
Preventive care recommendations change throughout childhood, so the specific vaccines and screenings included in an appointment will depend on your child’s age and health needs. At Mahaska Health, our pediatrician, Dr. Holly Van de Voort, or certified nurse practitioner, Tonya Horn, ARNP, can review what is recommended and answer questions about upcoming preventive care.
Parent Guidance
Your provider may use age-appropriate conversations and screenings to check for anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, and other changes in emotional well-being. This also gives you and your child a chance to talk about mood, stress, relationships, or concerns at home, school, or with peers.
Parents will have time to ask questions about nutrition, sleep, screen time, safety, behavior, and everyday challenges.
“For children who have complex medical conditions or those who see any specialist, the well visit gives a chance for parents and provider to review the year and how their chronic conditions are doing and making sure the child has the needed services.” — Holly Van De Voort, MD, FAAP
Well-child visit checklist
Before your child’s appointment:
- Write down questions or concerns you want to discuss
- Note any changes in your child’s physical or emotional health
- Consider questions about sleep, nutrition, behavior, school, or development
- Bring relevant health or immunization information
- Make note of medications your child currently takes
- Be prepared to discuss child developmental milestones by age and changes you have noticed
- Ask about vaccines, screenings, or preventive care recommended for your child’s age
- Before leaving, make sure you understand any recommended next steps and when your child should return
Patient Tip: Prepare for Your Appointment
A few minutes of preparation can help you make the most of your visit.
Here are some tips for you to prepare for your appointment:
- Write down your main questions or concerns
- Note when your symptoms started and whether they’ve changed over time
- Share updates to your personal or family health history
- Ask what follow-up care, screenings or preventive services may be recommended
Stay Informed and Healthy
Staying current with these appointments can help families feel informed and prepared for each new stage of childhood.
Learn more about Mahaska Health and pediatric care in Oskaloosa, IA, and surrounding communities. To schedule your child’s next appointment, call 641.672.3360 or explore Pediatric Care at mahaskahealth.org/pediatrics.