The Importance of Well-Baby Care
Most people put off a trip to the doctor until they have a cough, cold, or other health concern. However, preventive care plays a crucial role in maintaining overall wellness, especially in the earliest years of life.
At All Day Medical Care Clinic, our team offers routine care for every stage of life, from prenatal care to geriatrics. For our pediatric patients, our providers are state-certified in early periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment (EPSDT). This care includes:
- Physicals and well-child care
- Sick visits
- Behavioral health
- Health education
- On-site laboratory services
We also have pediatric specialists in behavioral health.
If you have a newborn or infant, here’s why you don’t want to miss their well-baby appointments at All Day Medical Care Clinic.
Well-baby care basics
The goal of well-baby care is to help children stay healthy in their earliest years, so they can grow into healthy adults. These visits evolve and change with your child based on their age and unique needs.
Unlike a trip to the doctor for a sore throat or ear infection, well-baby exams occur on a regular basis, regardless of whether or not they’re sick. This allows your doctor to assess and evaluate their overall development and watch for potential concerns, including physical, medical, and psychosocial issues.
Well-baby visits also provide an opportunity for you to develop a strong relationship with your baby’s doctor. This partnership ensures you always have access to trusted resources and guidance on keeping your infant safe and healthy.
When to schedule your well-baby appointments
Believe it or not, your baby’s first visit should occur when they’re only 3-5 days old! For many babies, it’s the first time they leave home, but it won’t be their last well-baby appointment. In fact, these visits occur frequently until your child reaches age 3.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following schedule for well-baby visits:
- The first week of birth (3-5 days old)
- 1 month old
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old
- 9 months old
- 12 months old
- 15 months old
- 18 months old
- 24 months (2 years)
- 30 months (2-½ years)
When your child reaches age 3, well-child appointments usually occur on an annual basis.
What to expect during a well-baby appointment
Your baby’s appointment covers several different things, such as:
- Administering immunizations, if necessary
- Tracking growth and development
- Observing their behavior
- Performing a physical
- Discussing feeding and supplementation
But these appointments don’t just center around your baby. We also use them to address any questions or concerns you may have about their development or care, and we watch for signs of maternal or postpartum depression.
Approximately 1 in 8 women experience postpartum depression — and, in some states, these numbers soar to as many as 1 in 5. These feelings are more lasting and intense than the “baby blues,” which often resolve within a few days.
As a result, well-baby care appointments offer the best defense in keeping both you and your child healthy.
To schedule a well-baby visit, call 301-330-0006 or book an appointment online with All Day Medical Care Clinic today.
