Well Child Care

Did you know regular well child visits are one of the most important things you can do to keep your child healthy? Preventive care promotes healthy growth and development. Well child visits also provide you with the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s health.

The components of a preventive well-child visit include the following:

(1) developmental/behavioral assessment; (2) physical examination, including measurement of growth; (3) screening tests and procedures; and (4) anticipatory guidance.

Your child should have a well child visit at the intervals listed below. We recommend that you call our office 3 months in advance to schedule an appointment with your child's primary care provider on the date and in the location that best fits your needs.

What you need to know when medical problems, both new or ongoing are addressed at the time of a 'Well Visit.'

An evaluation and management visit is a visit in which a physician or other qualified health care professional diagnoses and treats illness or injury which is either new or chronic.

There may be times when you child presents for a preventive well-child visit and needs attention for an acute illness or management of a chronic condition. In such cases, our billing policy reflects the need to address both preventive and medical care needs during a single appointment

Under our policy, when both types of visits occur simultaneously, you will be responsible for any additional copays, deductibles, or co-insurance charges typically assessed for evaluation and management visits by your insurance plan. It's important to note that while preventive care visits may be covered in full by insurance, evaluation and management visits often have cost-sharing measures like copays or deductibles.

See our full policy here.

Initial Visit (2-8 Days)

2 Week Visit

The 7-10 Day Visit is a time for us to re-assess how your baby is doing with feeding, sleeping, elimination, and general comfort. This is considered a well visit. Babies usually lose weight right after birth, and we like them to have re-gained their birth weight by 10 days. Please remember that it is important to always put your baby to sleep on his or her back in a flat, firm and separate sleep space to reduce the risk of SIDS. As always, we are here to answer questions and offer anticipatory guidance.

At this visit, we are also assessing the parent's ability to cope with the stress of a newborn infant. We like to remind our parents that their friends and family may offer to help. Please honor them and take them up on their offer because they will soon stop asking. They can just sit in the room with the baby while you take a long shower, eat a good meal, or take a walk on your own. If you don't feel they can help with direct care of the baby, then let them do some of the following for YOU: cut your grass, rake your leaves, shovel your snow, pickup some groceries, address your thank you notes, or fold your laundry.

1 Month Visit

2 Month Visit

Many babies seem more fussy or colicky at this age. Be patient. Colicky babies eventually outgrow their crying phase. Keeping your baby safe is the most important thing you can do. Even if you feel frustrated, handle your baby gently and reach out for help to friends, relatives, or your pediatrician if the crying is getting to be too much. If you need a break and noone is available to help you, place your baby on his/her back gently in a safe space such as a crib or bassinet and take a 4-5 minutes out of hearing range of your baby to calm down.

4 Month Visit

6 Month Visit

9 Month Visit

12 Month Visit

At this age, your baby can transition from breast milk or formula to cow’s milk, however it is healthy to continue breast milk if that is what you prefer for your baby. Most babies need 3 meals, 2-3 snacks per day, and no more than 16-20 ounces of whole cow's milk per day. Your baby will be able to eat many of the foods you eat, but be careful to avoid small, hard foods that can cause choking. It is time to wean your child from the bottle and offer all liquids in a sippy cup. It is much easier to wean your child now than if you wait until they are older - avoid cavities and additional tears and make the change now!

Your baby will be outgrowing the infant carrier car seat. Continue to have your baby in a rear facing seat as long as possible up to the maximum height or weight allowed by the care seat manufacturer.

15 Month Visit

18 Month Visit

24 Month Visit

Measure your child’s weight, length, head size and body mass index and record on a growth curve.
Most of our patients do not have immunizations due at this visit. Your child may need immunizations if they are behind on their shots.
Review your child’s development with you using the MCHAT (Autism screening tool) questionnaire.
Test for lead exposure with a finger prick in the office.
Screen your baby for vision abnormalities with our ocular photoscreen device.
Discuss dental health and apply fluoride varnish to your child's teeth.
Discuss toilet training and time out.

30 Month Visit

Measure your child’s weight, length, head size and Body mass index and record on a growth curve.
Most of our patients do not have immunizations due at this visit. Your child may need immunizations if they are behind on their shots.
Assess your child's development and consider repeating an Autism Screen if necessary.
Screen your baby for amblyopia (lazy eye) with our ocular photoscreen device.
Discuss dental health
Help prepare parents for sleeping, eating, and tantruming issues associated with this age.

3 Year Visit

4 Year Visit

5 Year Visit

6 Year Visit

7 Year Visit

8 Year Visit

9 Year Visit

10 Year Visit

11 Year Visit

12 Year Visit

13 Year Visit

14 and 15 Year Visits

Your child may be showing an increasing interest in extracurricular activities. Have conversations about risk taking behaviors, driving, alcohol, drug use, family rules and expectations. Discuss media and internet safety. Make certain that they have an adult they can confide in if they are unable to communicate with you. There are no scheduled immunizations at this visit unless your child is behind and needs to catch up on immunizations.

During the teen years, we provide the opportunity for your teen to have at least a portion of the visit with the parent out of the room.

16 and 17 Year Visits

Measure your child’s weight, height and body mass index and record on a growth curve
Provide your child's immunizations
Complete sports physical forms and discuss sport safety (if your child is participating in sports)
Review your child’s school performance
Reinforce healthy choices and risk behavior avoidance Perform any recommended yearly screening tests (depending on family history, sexual activity etc.)
Discuss exercise and nutrition, particularly in association with increased awareness of body image and diet