Children grow and change quickly, so preventive care is important to check their development on a routine basis. This way, conditions and diseases can be diagnosed early or prevented. This includes checkups, immunizations, as well as dental and vision screenings.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), checkups are also a good time to talk to your child’s doctor about development, nutrition and expectations for your child’s growth. Health care visits are an important opportunity for parents to voice any medical concerns regarding their child.
In addition to regular checkups, the NIH states that, school-age children should visit the doctor for a number of reasons, including significant weight gain or loss, sleep problems, and rashes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents schedule their baby’s first checkup 2-3 days after the baby is born. Below are the suggested guidelines after the initial checkup:
