Pediatric Well-Child Visits: What to Expect at Each Developmental Stage

When you have children you get used to dealing with all kinds of injuries and illnesses, but most of the time, when you see your pediatrician it will be for well visits in Klamath Falls, OR.  Dr. Nicola Cherry of The Children's Clinic of Klamath is accepting new patients and she and her dedicated pediatric staff provide the routine medical series that your child needs. 

Most experts suggest that there are five stages of child development:

Newborn

 The newborn stage of child development goes from birth to two months. This is a time full of wonder and discovery for both yourself and your baby. By two months, the vaccination schedule will be starting as well as checking the newborns' weight and height and head measurement.

Infant

 Infancy is the time between two months and a year old. It is a time when things change a great deal and your infant begins to show their personality. Vaccinations will continue, and your child will double in weight. The doctor will be checking for motor skills and assessing their cognitive development. They should recognize the doctor as a stranger and respond differently than to their family members.

Toddler

 Toddlers are between one and three years old. This includes what is commonly known as the terrible twos. The doctor will make sure that their eyes are focusing and their hearing and coordination are on track. They will get their booster vaccinations by this point. Their height and weight will be charted against other children of their age, and you will be given a percentile. 

Preschool

 Preschool is aged three years to five years.  A preschooler should be able to throw a ball and catch it, speak in sentences, and express complicated thoughts.  The pediatrician may ask them questions to see what their thought process is like. They should be able to draw a person with at least three body parts. Well visits in Klamath Fall, OR, happen yearly by this point. 

School-age 

 School age is a long period from five to seventeen, and it sees your child grow from a child to a teen and a young adult. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, they have grown and gotten more independent each year. Our pediatrician should have a relationship with your child by this point. Some vaccinations are still happening. Things like diet and nutrition may come up in discussion. Your child should feel comfortable discussing any questions they have. 

Contact Dr. Cherry of The Children's Clinic of Klamath to schedule your well visits in Klamath Falls, OR. You can call the office at (541) 884-1224 or reach out through our website.