Well Visits

Well-child visits at my office serve four purposes:

• to address any concerns a caregiver might have
• to perform a developmental assessment of the child
• to prepare caregivers for developmental changes that are likely to occur before the next well-visit
• to immunize the child against several formerly dangerous diseases of childhood

The first three items are covered at every visit (sometimes even at sick visits!). The timing of well visits, and their frequency, is determined entirely by the last item, immunizations, with the exception of the first visit during the first week after discharge from the hospital.

The order and timing of immunizations is recommended to all pediatric care providers by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Each provider changes the schedule only slightly for the sake of convenience to the patients, however all changes are kept within guidelines set by the Academy.

For information about vaccines please visit The CDC’s National Immunization Program web site.

First Week
A check of the baby’s weight, skin color, feeding and voiding, and a chance to answer the caregiver’s questions and concerns.