Well-baby exam:
Important questions you should ask
Is my child’s diet appropriate?
Most parents are concerned that their child’s diet is lacking in something. The well child visit is the perfect time to either confirm these concerns and get some guidance on how to correct them or be reassured that the diet is indeed appropriate. Suggestions about the diet come from a lot of sources: magazines, grandparents, friends and books. The well-baby check is the time to confirm whether this advice is good guidance.
Does my child’s development seem appropriate?
Development is generally divided into these four categories.
- Gross motor skills
- Fine motor skills
- Social skills
- Speech and language development
Your doctor should ask about and observe your child enough to give you feedback in all of these categories.
Is my child’s grown appropriate and expected?
It doesn’t necessarily matter where your child falls on the grown curve as much as how the trend has been over time. The child who always has been at the 5th percentile for height is less concerning (if there is even any concern) than the child who used to be at the 75th percentile and is now at the 10th. The child who has held steady at the 95th percentile for weight is not as worrisome (if there is any worry at all) as the one who has gone from the 25th to the 90th percentile. Keeping track of this trend on the growth curve is an absolute essential for any professional who cares for children. Ask to see your child’s growth curve to get a general idea of the trend.
Is this thing on my child’s body normal?
The thing may be anything, but parents have certain minor concerns that they aren’t really worried about, but wonder if it is normal. A toenail that is shaped funny, a birthmark that seems different, or perhaps how ears are shaped are all examples of things that parents may usually suspect are normal but need some reassurance. The well-baby exam is the perfect time to inquire about these concerns.
Is my child due for any immunizations?
Colds, low grade fevers, and minor illnesses are not cause to delay immunizations. Remember to ask about the flu vaccine in the months of October through January. Ask if your child’s doctor recommends the chicken pox vaccine.
Is my child’s blood pressure normal?
Starting at three years of age, it is recommended that each child have their blood pressure checked as part of their well-child exam. High blood pressure typically causes problems without a lot of symptoms, and it may be the first sign of something that needs further investigation.
Is that test really necessary?
There are very few “routine” tests that are recommended for children. A hemoglobin, usually done once at 9 or 12 months and an analysis of the urine, done once anytime between the ages of four to six years, are the only recommended routine tests. A lead test at one year of age, a tuberculosis skin test and a cholesterol test are done only for those with risk factors. Aside from these, no additional tests are necessary for routine care.
***Enrollment in the Our Healthy Baby™ Program does not automatically add the new baby to your current insurance policy. To do this, you must contact your Human Resources Department and complete a family status change form within 30 days of the birth.
