5 Questions to Ask at a Well-Child Exam

Few things matter more than your little’s health. Well-child exams are a valuable tool for protecting and enhancing their well-being.

Every child should have at least one well-child exam each year. These yearly visits are essential for monitoring your child's growth and development, staying up-to-date on vaccinations, and addressing any health concerns. Each visit also provides an opportunity to ask your provider important questions about your child’s health and well-being.

Our dedicated team at Sellwood Medical Clinic, with four locations in the metro Portland area, offers annual well-child exams as an integral part of pediatric care.

If you have a well-child visit coming up, the following questions may help guide your discussions with your child's provider. 

1. Is my child’s development on track?

During your well-child exam, your pediatrician gathers and tracks information about your child’s development. 

In addition to providing a medical record to use as a reference, should any challenges crop up later, this exam provides an opportunity to ask about your child’s development overall: Are they growing at a healthy rate? Developing skills in a timely fashion? Do they need further assessments? 

2. Is my child up to date on vaccinations?

Also known as immunizations, vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect your child from a range of serious illnesses. From six months on, your child should receive an annual flu shot. This is important, given that kids under age five are especially vulnerable to severe influenza and its complications. 

It’s also recommended that infants receive the RSV antibody injection to protect against this devastating virus. 

If your child is due for a vaccine, well-child exams provide a good chance to take care of that. You may also schedule vaccines for flu, COVID-19, or RSV at any time. You can also ask about any upcoming vaccinations so you can add them to your calendar.

3. Is a change or symptom I’ve noticed cause for alarm?

It’s natural and common to worry about your child’s health and development, especially if you’re a new parent or you notice something that seems unusual. 

At your well-child exam, ask your provider if the changes or symptoms you’ve noticed seem normal or worthy of further exploration. If something does turn out to be abnormal or indicative of a condition, our team may recommend specific tests or treatments as needed.

4. Is my child’s diet healthy?

A healthy diet helps ensure your child grows and develops properly. While treats are perfectly fine within a balanced diet, you want to make sure your child gets enough essential nutrients and overall calories.

At your well-child exam, ask your provider any nutrition-related questions you have. In addition to sharing general guidelines, our experts can offer tips for navigating challenges, such as getting your child to enjoy eating certain healthy foods. We can also recommend dietary supplements if your child is at risk for a deficiency.

5. How can I support my child’s wellness moving forward?

Learning as a parent never ends, and proactivity can go a long way. Rather than worry or search the web for answers to your questions, go straight to an expert source.

At each well-child appointment, your pediatrician can recommend specific practices and lifestyle habits based on your child’s unique needs and preferences. They can also suggest the timing of your next checkup.

To get your questions answered and protect your child’s health through professional care, call Sellwood Medical Clinic today or book an appointment online here. We would love to be part of your child’s wellness journey.