Well-Child
Exams & Vaccines
Getting a child their wellness checkup is an excellent way to catch health issues early on before uncomfortable symptoms and complications set in. It is also a great way to reduce the risk of health issues developing through preventive care. Vaccines help protect your child from potentially life-threatening illnesses. Both well-child exams and vaccines help ensure your child lives a long and healthy life .
When children come to see our pediatricians for wellness visits, they are given routine examinations and immunizations, when necessary. It is important that parents take their children to every scheduled visit, so their vaccinations stay on track and potential health problems can be spotted and treated early on.
When Should Your Baby Begin To See A Doctor?
An infant should begin seeing a pediatrician within 2-3 days after being discharged from the hospital, or sooner, if instructed by the hospital. Any vaccines they did not get before leaving the hospital, they will get at that time according to the vaccination schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When you arrive in our office for the first time, be prepared to fill out paperwork. You can save yourself a little time spent in our waiting room by filling out New Patient forms at home and bringing them with you.
One of our skilled, caring pediatric nurses will weigh your baby and take their measurements and temperature. Then, the pediatrician will give your baby a thorough examination. Your baby’s reflexes will be tested to ensure responsiveness, and their eyes, ears, limbs, skin, nose, and umbilical cord will be checked thoroughly for common health issues that newborns are susceptible to.
If your baby boy was circumcised, the pediatrician will examine the area for signs of infection. The doctor will also check your baby for hernias, jaundice, and other issues. You will get a lot of information about different types of formulas and breastfeeding. A well-baby checkup is a great opportunity to ask the pediatrician any questions you have, so we recommend you bring a list! This way, you walk out of the office with as much information as possible to help you care for your bundle of joy.
What Is the Schedule for Vaccines?
A vaccination schedule is a plan that doctors follow to ensure children get the correct vaccines at various ages. Vaccinations provide your child with immunity against potentially life-threatening illnesses and diseases if they ever get exposed. There is a lot of misinformation about vaccines. Rest assured – vaccines are safe and effective tools that will help keep your child healthy throughout life.
Here is a quick overview of the vaccines you can expect for your newborn. For more information, speak with one of our pediatricians or nurses, and we will be happy to help.
- Right after birth, your child will get a hepatitis B shot.
- Once they are two months old, they get another shot for hepatitis B, as well as rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, DTaP, Hib, IPV, and PCV.
- When the child turns four months old, they will receive the next dose of IPV, PCV, RV, DTaP, and Hib.
- At six months, the baby will begin getting the yearly flu vaccine, and the third dose of Hib, DTaP, PCV, RV (if needed), and the final dose of hepatitis B.
- When your child turns 12 months old, it’s time for another round of shots. They will be given a fourth dose of PCV and the first dose of MMR, varicella, and hepatitis A.
With all these shots, pediatricians recommend having Tylenol on hand, because the baby might run a mild fever and the immunization spot might be sore. In addition to vaccines, we may also perform a lead screening and a tuberculosis test.
Early intervention, such as regular well-child checkups and vaccinations, helps keep babies healthy and safe from preventable diseases. Let us be your partner in giving your little one a healthy start!
We strongly believe that maintaining the health and monitoring the growth and development of your child is of vital importance. In order to accomplish this, we recommend the following schedule as set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger.
Pediatric Offices in The Woodlands & Spring, TX
In addition to routine pediatric services, Northwoods Pediatric Center, P.A. also provides well-child exams and sports physicals. For more information, contact us today at (281) 296-7770, or use our convenient online Request an Appointment form.
