Well-child visits

Well-child visits: the key to keeping kids healthy

Well-child visits (or check-ups) let your HMF doctor evaluate your child’s general health, growth, and development.

Of course, if Junior’s nasty ear infection arrives on the same day as his 9-month well-child appointment, do bring him in. The doctor can treat the problem and conduct much of the well-child examination.

VACCINATIONS

During the well-child visit, the doctor will let you know if your child is due for any immunizations. (If these need to be delayed because of your child’s current condition, we’ll schedule a special nurse visit.)

HMF follows the most current immunization schedule endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org).

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Well-child visits let you and your child get to know the doctor (and vice versa) in a relaxed setting. Your child will learn that a doctor’s appointment can be pleasant—and does not always involve getting a shot!

While pediatricians treat children, they care about the entire family.

HMF doctors welcome the chance to find out how Mom and Pop are doing. Don’t be shy about discussing situations at home that may impact your child’s physical or mental health.

EXPERT OPINION

You can read armloads of books, visit dozens of childcare websites, or swap stories with other parents, but none of these resources matches the individualized support and professional expertise available to you at each well-child visit.

“These visits are the time to bring in all of your questions regarding diet, sleep problems, behavior concerns and other issues, “ says HMF pediatrician Shakeh Mazmanian, M.D. “Plus, you get to see how much your child has progressed since the last visit.”

Take advantage of this golden opportunity and schedule a well-child visit according to this schedule:

Recommended Exam Schedule

Schedule appointments at these intervals:

First year of life

2 to 4 weeks
2 months
4 months
6 months
9 months

Second year of life

12 months
15 months
18 months
24 months

2 –21 years

Every year or every two years

Some children may need more frequent and comprehensive visits, depending on their condition.