Most parents know well-child checks are important when their child is very young with developing minds, bodies, and immune systems.

But what many don't realize is that as their child grows older and starts going to school, the need for regular health checks doesn't simply disappear. Instead, the topics pediatricians address during visits change to meet the needs of your developing child.

We know your schedule is already jam-packed with work and your child's schooling and extracurricular activities. But routine check-ups aren't merely just another burden on your checklist.

Well-child visits really are the best way to prevent bigger problems down the road.

WHY MAINTAIN REGULAR WELL-CHECK VISITS?
A minor health issue today can transform into a major issue tomorrow. During well-child visits, your pediatrician will help you invest in your child's long-term health in a number of crucial ways:

KEEP IMMUNIZATIONS UP-TO-DATE.
Does your child have all the vaccines they'll need for school, daycare, or sports activities?

By maintaining a regular well-child check schedule with your pediatrician, you'll be able to ensure your child doesn't contract common illnesses and can participate in school and extracurriculars.

TRACK GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT.
During each visit, your pediatrician will check your child's vision, hearing, height, weight, mental development, social development, and more.

By comparing your child's growth to your last visit and to normal growth for children their age, your pediatrician can make sure your child is developing at an appropriate rate and provide guidance to improve growth in the areas where your child struggles.

When you stick to the recommended well-child visit schedule, you'll be able to ensure your child is achieving their maximum potential physically, mentally, and socially.

ANSWER HEALTH QUESTIONS.
Have questions about your child's habits, diet, or physical challenges? Now is the time to get your answers!
You can find lots of medical information online. But your pediatrician has the expertise and specific understanding of your child's health and situation to provide the highly tailored medical service and advice for your child needs to thrive.

REDUCE RISK OF ILLNESS.
Not only will pediatricians make sure your child is up-to-date on their immunizations, but each time you bring your child for a visit, they'll keep an eye out for common illnesses and habits that could create a greater risk for your child down the road.

Remember: Delaying child well-checks may cause you to miss any early signals of serious health issues.

Many developmental delays are discovered exclusively in well-child checks. And various illnesses and injuries don't show clear symptoms right away, but instead, develop gradually.

Setting up routine appointments with your pediatrician is the smartest — and simplest
— disease prevention tactic out there.

ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
Has your child been struggling to cope with the stress of school? Or social anxieties?

A common misconception is that pediatricians only care about your child's physical health. However, social and mental health are large parts of our child health assessments at Carolina Pediatrics.

PROVIDE BASIC SOCIAL COUNSELING.
If your child has challenges with social anxiety or development, your pediatrician can help.

By providing social advice and supportive resources, they can help your child learn to cope better with stressful social situations at school, with friends, with other family members, or with other outside influences.

Plus, pediatricians are a great resource for questions or concerns about driver safety, depression, puberty, and drug and alcohol use.

FORM A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP.
Regular well-checks give your child the opportunity to develop a strong sense of trust with your pediatrician.

Think about it!

When your child sees the doctor more often, health checkups will be less daunting and more comfortable. Plus, with consistent visits, your pediatrician is more likely to remember your child's habits, tendencies, and challenges, which can help them provide better advice down the road.

HELP BUILD HEALTHY HABITS.
From nutrition to exercise, your pediatrician can help you and your child develop a plan to maintain a healthy daily routine. Because your pediatrician is familiar with your child's physical capabilities and habits, they'll be able to provide health advice that is tailored to them.

Have any unanswered questions about well-child checks? Reach out to us through the Carolina Pediatrics patient portal.