This paid piece is sponsored by Sanford Health.
A regular checkup for a child younger than 18 is often referred to as a well-child visit.
These visits help make sure infants, children and teens are getting the care they need to grow and stay healthy.
“Routine well checks ensure children thrive in both body and mind for a healthy future,” said Dr. Sarah Scott, a pediatrician at Sanford Madison & Veterans Parkway Clinic.
“At these checkups, you can expect a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of their health, including nutrition, growth, development, emotional health and social well-being,” she said. “We aim to be proactive about identifying potential health issues early on.”
Well-child visits also give the provider an opportunity to discuss and recommend vaccinations to help protect children and teens from common illnesses and preventable diseases.
“By prioritizing well-child visits, parents are investing in their child’s long-term health,” Scott said.
Providers at Sanford Health share what parents and caregivers can expect during well-child visits and answer other commonly asked questions.
What takes place at a well-child visit for kids age 0-3?
During the first months and years of life, growth and development are happening rapidly. Parents typically have a lot of questions during this time frame that your provider can help answer. Regular checkups allow you to stay in close contact with your provider as other questions or needs come up too.
There is a visit schedule for parents to follow when their child is in this age range. Your child should see their provider a few days after they are born and then five times before their first birthday. This happens at months 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12. Then, providers like to see kids when they are 15, 18, 24 and 30 months old. After that, annual visits are recommended.
When you arrive for your child’s appointment, you will be asked to fill out a few forms that your provider will use as a developmental screening tool. These forms give your provider an idea of where your child is at in their development based on their age.
Next, a nurse will take your child’s vital signs and measurements, and your provider will do a physical exam to look for anything out of the ordinary.
During these visits, providers monitor growth and development, eating habits, the transition from breast milk or formula into solid foods, sleep patterns, bowel habits and behavioral concerns. They also will keep your child on track with the childhood immunization schedule.
Providers may discuss other important topics such as dental checkups and how to keep your child safe.
Ask your provider any questions you might have, and feel free to write them down beforehand to make sure you cover everything that’s on your mind.
What do annual well-child visits for kids older than 3 involve?
As your child grows, their body is going through a lot of changes. It’s important for primary care providers to monitor their development. If your child seems to be falling behind in certain areas, the earlier providers know, the sooner they can help.
From an educational standpoint, providers make sure children hit all their milestones for preschool and kindergarten. This ensures that they’re on track to progress properly and have positive experiences that will set them up for success later in life.
Because behavioral issues can occur during and after the toddler phase, providers like to stay in touch with parents to address concerns, especially with school approaching.
Safety issues such as bike, water and car safety and stranger danger also are discussed at well-child visits after age 3, and your provider will make sure they are up to date on important immunizations.
As your child is going through these changes, you’re experiencing a lot of parenting changes, too, and these visits give you the opportunity to talk about any concerns you have to put your mind at ease.
What does a well-child visit do for a preteen or teen?
Growth patterns tend to change as children enter the prepubescent and adolescent stages of life. Kids begin to experience changes in hormones, develop acne, and girls start their menstrual cycles. Well-child visits at these ages provide education to middle schoolers and high schoolers, as well as their parents, on these changes and any challenges they might be experiencing.
For parents or students with concerns about grades or classwork, these visits provide an opportunity to intervene early from an intellectual and educational standpoint and address potential behavioral or academic issues.
Providers also will discuss any hearing or vision concerns and remind kids about healthy sleep patterns, eating habits and food choices. To assess risk of cardiovascular disease, providers may screen for high cholesterol and blood pressure.
In addition to physical health, well-child visits also act as a mental and emotional health check-in. Providers screen for mental health concerns and offer resources to help parents support their child’s well-being.
What types of immunizations does my child need?
Immunizations are the safest and most effective way to keep you and your family healthy and protected from dangerous diseases.
View a list of recommended immunizations for each member of your family.
Some of these immunizations may not be included on the list of vaccinations required by your child’s school. Schools typically focus on vaccine-preventable diseases that could be transmitted easily while school is in session. However, making sure your child has all recommended immunizations is important for their lifelong health.
Is a back-to-school exam different?
Back-to-school exams are essentially the same as a well-child visit but completed in the summertime to address any health concerns before the school year starts.
How is a well-child visit different from a sports physical?
Sports physicals, also called pre-participation physical examinations, help determine if a child can participate safely in physical activities. Most states require sports physicals before kids and teens can start a new sport or begin a new competitive season.
During a sports physical, a provider will evaluate your child’s physical health, review their medical history and assess their heart and respiratory health. This visit ensures that your child can sustain physical exercise without putting themselves at risk for cardiovascular or breathing concerns.
Well-child visits, or annual checkups, also fulfill sports physical requirements and are much more comprehensive. A well-child visit includes the sports physical exam, plus growth and development checks, screening for mental health concerns, immunizations as needed and discussions about behaviors, school issues and proper nutrition.
Well-child visits can be filed with insurance, and many insurance companies pay for 100 percent of the visit.
Learn more about children’s primary care services at Sanford Health.
Need to find a pediatric provider? Find one near you.
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