A regular infant health check-up is an important part of your baby’s proper development. You’ll need help from a healthcare professional to make sure that your baby is growing and developing properly. You will also “catch” any emerging problems well in advance and get a better opportunity for treatment.

Routine medical follow-ups have many benefits for your baby. Think about the necessary vaccinations and screenings your child will get.  Besides, it will be a good time to discuss with your pediatrician any problems you might be having.

The following benefits explain the importance of your baby’s health check-up.

Prevents Illnesses

During your infant health check-up, your child will get scheduled immunizations to prevent a host of childhood illnesses.Immunization not only protects your baby but also safeguards the health of future generations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the United States, the power of preventive measures is evident in the eradication of some diseases such as Smallpox andPolio.  Taking your baby to a pediatrician allows you to know exactly when the baby will receive immunization, or if the baby is required to get any region-specific vaccinations.

 Here is a general list of immunizations that children receive;

  • Hepatitis B (HepB)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Rotavirus
  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)
  • Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP or DTaP)
  • Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
  • Influenza (Flu)
  • Chicken Pox (Varicella Zoster)

Early Detection of Health Conditions

Well-child check-ups will help to detect illnesses early enough so that your child can get appropriate treatment. This means you will have a better chance of addressing the conditions before they worsen.

You can also learn from your pediatrician the proper nutrition for your child and safety measures to take around the house.

Eventually, your baby will become an adolescent. Though less frequent, health check-ups at this stage are still necessary.

Your child is at a high risk of engaging in drug abuse during the teenage years. Regardless of how good you’re at parenting, the teenage period is characterized by a lot of experimentation and rebelliousness.

Pediatricians have an important role in preventing, detecting, delaying and reducing drug abuse in children. They can use tools and strategies that will help to protect your child from substance abuse disorders.

For instance, pediatricians should schedule regular drug testing for children during health check-ups. During these check-ups, a saliva drug test kit will be easy to use and will minimize the chances of using an adulterated sample.

Doctors can also advise parents to have a saliva drug test kit at home. A parent can then perform immediate screening if a teenager has returned from an event where he or she is suspected to have taken illicit drugs.

Tracking your Baby’s Growth and Development

If you have a concern about your baby’s development, this will be a good chance to talk with your doctor. 

You can discuss the progress your child has made in their development since your last visit and assess the improvements in milestones, learning and social behavior. 

A growth chart will help to compare your child’s growth and development with other children of the same age and gender. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that a child should be screened for delays in development and disabilities at the ages of;

  • 9 months
  • 18 months, and
  • at 24 and 30 months.

Addressing Concerns

Identify the areas you want to discuss about your child with your doctor such as sleeping, behavioral changes, and nutrition.

 List about three to five questions that are related to these areas to clear your concerns with your doctor during the health check-ups. For example, a parent will be advised on proper diets for their child depending on their age.

Working with a Multi-disciplinary Team

Besides your pediatricians, health check-ups will give you access to a team of professionals including nurses, dieticians, occupational and respiratory therapists. These professionals will work with you to give the best care for your child.

A regular infant health check-up will help to build strong and trustworthy relationships among healthcare providers, parent and child. Team approach has an important role in developing a child’s optimal physical, social and mental health.

The point is: Parents have the power to make sure that their children get the medical attention they deserve. Frequent visits to your pediatrician starting from a few days after delivery are imperative to your baby’s healthy development. Although more regular health check-ups are done for newborns, make sure you also take your teenage child for check-ups.

Author Bio: Mouton is a freelance blogger and a mother. Mouton loves to read articles online and write on about, family, cooking, Sex, Relationship and more.