Preparing for Your Child’s Well-Child Visit: Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Well-child visits are the key to preventing illness and disease, and identifying medical issues so they can be treated early. Drs. Stacy O’Sullivan, Uyen Le, and Lauren Hayes along with nurse practitioners Candace Joiner and Madelyn Kennedy at Pediatric Specialists of Tulsa in Tulsa, OK, provide a wide range of pediatric medical services, including well-child visits.

What You Need To Know About Well-Child Visits

It’s an excellent idea for you and your child to be prepared for the well-child visit. For young children, it’s important to make your child comfortable with seeing the doctor for a visit. You need to discuss the visit with your child, and reassure your child that the visit will be quick, easy, and completely painless.

For older children, it’s smart to talk with your child about any medical concerns or questions your child has, so you or your child can ask the doctor about them. You should be prepared with questions and concerns you want to ask the doctor. You should make a list of:

• Current signs or symptoms of illness your child might be experiencing
• Any medications or supplements your child is taking
• Your child’s current diet, including snacks and drinks
• How much exercise your child gets in an average day
• Any behavioral, mental, or emotional difficulties your child is experiencing

Your child should receive an initial visit within 2 to 5 days of birth, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. After that, well-child visits should be scheduled at 2 weeks, followed by visits at 1,2,4,6,9,12,15, and 18 months, and then again at 2 years of age.  Children 3 years of age and older should have a well visit every year.

Want To Know More About Well-Child Visits?

To find out more about preparing for a well-child visit, talk with the experts. You can reach us at (918) 523-5437, so call today.