5 Questions to Ask During a Well-Child Exam

Your child’s first visit to the doctor typically occurs within a week of birth — at about three to five days old. Frequent checkups during infancy ensure your baby is healthy, developing well, and up-to-date on scheduled vaccines.

Well-child visits remain important throughout childhood and adolescence to track your child’s growth and address any medical or behavioral issues that may arise. Once they reach age four, you should bring your child in yearly for a physical examination, even if they’re healthy and happy.

Regular checkups are also the perfect time to discuss your child’s health and development with our experienced pediatricians at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland. Here are five questions to ask during a well-child exam.

1. Is my child’s growth and development on track for their age?

During a well-child exam, we measure your child’s height and weight to monitor how much they grow between visits. We can discuss whether those measurements fall within the expected range for their age and gender and what you can do to promote your child’s healthy growth.

As well as a physical exam, we also make sure your child reaches important developmental milestones in a timely manner. While every child develops at their own pace, most children should be able to:

• Respond to their name, roll over, and demonstrate hand-eye coordination by six months of age
• Stand independently and say simple words like mama or dada at one year
• Walk, run, and form short two- to four-word sentences by age two
• Form more complex sentences, socialize with other children, and copy letters and numbers by age four

If you have concerns about your child’s physical growth, speech, motor skills, or social skills, don’t hesitate to ask us.

2. Is my child up-to-date on their vaccinations?

Vaccines are essential to protect your child from potentially serious illnesses including hepatitis, whooping cough, polio, and more. 

During a well-child exam, we review your child’s immunization records to confirm they’re up-to-date on all recommended vaccines. If your child has missed doses of a vaccine, we can formulate a plan to get them caught up.

Healthy children typically receive their first dose of essential vaccines by the time they’re 15 months old. Booster shots and additional vaccines are necessary as they get older. Ask about your child’s upcoming scheduled vaccinations so you know what to expect.

 3. Is picky eating affecting my child’s health?

Children commonly experience periods of picky eating, or aversions to certain foods. While this tends to be a temporary phase, you may be concerned that your child isn’t getting adequate nutrition.

If your child won’t eat anything but chicken nuggets or plain spaghetti, talk to us at your child’s next appointment. We can provide advice on how to address picky eating without pressure or judgment.

In some cases, vitamin or mineral supplements designed for kids may be necessary to make sure your child gets the essential nutrients they need for healthy development.

4. How much should my child sleep?

Healthy sleep supports your child's physical and mental well-being. Your child’s age is the biggest determining factor when it comes to the amount of sleep they need. 

Newborn babies require up to 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, including naps. Kids tend to need less sleep as they get older and typically stop needing naps by the time they reach school age.

If your child isn’t getting enough rest, you may notice behavioral changes such as irritability or hyperactivity. Our team can provide guidance to help you and your child establish a healthy sleep routine.

5. What precautions should I take to keep my child safe?

As a parent, keeping your child safe while allowing them to explore their independence is a top priority. During a well-child visit, inquire about safety practices that relate to your child’s specific age group. 

For babies and toddlers, this could include questions about car seat safety, child-proofing your home, or sun exposure. 

If your child is in kindergarten or elementary school, your safety concerns may involve stranger danger, water safety, or which type of bicycle helmet offers the best protection. You may also want to know how much screen time is appropriate for your child’s age group.

No matter your questions, our team of pediatricians has answers for you. To learn more about your child’s development, call or click to make an appointment at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics today.