Three Important Things You Need to Discuss with Your Pediatrician

A child’s well visit is important, as it is much more than just an assessment of their physical and mental development. Kids need to visit their pediatrician even when they are healthy since parents can discuss important topics with the doctor. This article discusses what the pediatrician checks during these visits and the significance of these good visits.

A good visit with your pediatrician in Gaithersburg, MD, is essential for the growth and development of your child at any age. Most parents seldom visit the pediatrician if the child is healthy but an annual well-child visit is quite significant.

A pediatrician reviews the growth and development of your child during these visits. Is your child underweight or overweight? Is your child due for any vaccinations that you might have forgotten? Your pediatrician also analyses the eating and sleeping pattern of your child during these visits.  Your child is screened for autism at 18 months and 2 years of age. While there are several other screening tests done during these good visits, parents need to discuss any changes in the lives of their children, which could affect them.

Things to Discuss with Your Pediatrician

Medical history

Although your pediatrician should be aware of all the medical issues of your child, in some cases, there can be a miss. You need to update your pediatrician on any recent medical issues, accidents, sports injuries, or any other chronic illnesses and the medications prescribed for these illnesses. You also need to update on any over-the-counter medicines that your child takes. Your pediatrician also needs to know if your child uses vitamins, protein shakes, or any other alternative treatment such as acupuncture.

Social changes

It is also important to let your pediatrician in Gaithersburg, MD, know about any recent changes at home such as a divorce, death of a family member or a pet, remarriage, and so forth which might affect have a drastic effect on your child and cause behavioral issues. Your child might have difficulties adjusting to the new situations and might need professional help. Your pediatrician can offer timely assistance when you discuss these changes at home.

Friendship

If your child has no friends at school, it should immediately raise a red flag as he/she is having problems interacting with peers. Is your child bullied or does he/she bully others? Does she play with children at school? Does she have a best friend? You need to talk to your child about his friends, school, and other activities. If you feel there is a reason for concern, it is pertinent to discuss it with your pediatrician during these good visits.

You can also discuss your travel plans with your pediatrician, as your child might need some special vaccines and prevention pills. Well, visit is a preventive visit to ensure that your child has healthy growth and development. Checkups are not just for prescriptions and vaccinations. It is also to ascertain that your little one is physically and mentally healthy and happy.