How A Pediatrician Helps Your Baby Grow Into A Healthy Child

Posted on: 1 October 2019

Your child will have many visits to a pediatrician from birth to the time they start school. Between routine wellness visits and treatments for fevers and colds, you can expect to see a lot of your child's doctor. You may even wonder if all those appointments are really necessary. The reason it's important for babies to have frequent checkups is because the first few years of life are critical for development. The pediatrician can catch problems early and begin treatment so your child has the best outcome. Here are some ways regular doctor visits help keep your child healthy.

Vision And Hearing Are Screened

Pediatric physicians are trained to detect normal hearing and vision in babies and small children. You may not pick up on behaviors that signal diminished hearing, but your baby's doctor will. A wait and watch approach may be taken or early treatment might begin. By correcting hearing and vision problems early when possible, your child may have fewer problems with speech and social development.

Testing Is Done For Common Medical Conditions

Your baby will have medical tests at the appropriate age that detect common genetic and childhood conditions. By diagnosing a problem early rather than wait for symptoms to become obvious, your baby can stay healthier and you will know what to expect with your child's development. Many of these tests are routine and are automatically done at certain ages. However, if your child shows signs or symptoms of a problem, a pediatrician can order additional testing to rule out conditions of concern.

Development Is Monitored

Every child develops at their own pace. However, there's a range that is considered normal development. If your baby delays rolling over, sitting up, talking, or doing other behaviors most babies of the same age do, it could be a sign of a physical problem the pediatrician needs to investigate and treat. Your child's weight and height are tracked at each visit to make sure your child is thriving. The doctor may also watch your child walk or play with toys to examine motor skills. When development is delayed, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy might be recommended so your child can catch up or adapt to their limitations by the time they're ready to start school.

Advice Is Given To Ease Your Concerns

Whether you have one baby or several kids, each child is unique. You may encounter health concerns or behavior problems with one child that never affected any of your other children. A pediatrician is able to put your mind at ease when your child has a cold, high fever, or is vomiting. It's scary when a small baby is sick, yet kids get sick often and dealing with the worry is hard. By developing a relationship with a pediatrician you trust, you'll always have someone to turn to when health problems arise with your child.

For more information, contact your local pediatrician clinic today.

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