It can be easy to dismiss the necessity of regular checkups when your child is perfectly healthy. However, one of the strongest defenses against illness is preventative medicine. Scheduling regular wellness checks at your local health clinic will ensure that your child stays as healthy as possible into adulthood.

Why You Should Schedule a Wellness Check for Your Child

What to Expect During the Appointment

The primary purpose of your child’s regular wellness checkup is to have a physical exam. After the doctor ensures that your child is in good health, they will measure their height, weight, and similar factors to track growth during each visit to the health clinic.

Some appointments will include vision, hearing, and other screening tests, as well. Your child’s immunizations will also be administered during these appointments. This is the perfect time for you to bring up any questions or concerns you may have with the pediatrician. 

Why Checkups Are Necessary for Children

By regularly monitoring your child’s health and development, you are more likely to catch issues early. In many cases, this will give you the opportunity for more effective treatment.

Another benefit of regular checkups is that you, your child, and the pediatrician will develop a long-term relationship in which all three of you are comfortable working as a team.

How Often to Schedule Checkups

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developed an ideal schedule for your child’s health clinic visits. The AAP recommends that your child’s first visit should occur during their first week of life, then again at one and two months old.

After that, schedule an appointment every two months until the child reaches six months of age and then every three months until they are 18 months old. At 18 months, the visits should occur every six months until the child is three years old. From then on, schedule yearly appointments.

Get the best pediatric care for your child by visiting the health clinic at Bayside Community Hospital in Anahuac, TX. This full-service hospital has been offering a range of services and treatments to all members of the Chambers County community for more than 60 years. It is staffed with a group of experienced doctors, nurses, and surgeons who are dedicated to every patient’s well-being. Schedule your child’s first wellness checkup by calling (409) 267-3143 or learn more about the health clinic by visiting the website.