Whether your child is a newborn, toddler or on the fast track to adolescence, it is always useful to have a pediatrician on hand that you trust. Pediatric Care can come in many forms throughout your child’s formative years; examples include:
- Exams – For Newborn Babies, Well-Child
- Physicals – School and Sports
- Vaccinations
- Childhood Illnesses and Allergies
- Behavioral Problems
- Growth and Development
Your pediatrician should be able to help with any area about which you have any concerns.
Babies
The first few days, months and years of a child’s life can be quite stressful for parents as the child doesn’t have a fully functioning immune system. This can cause a lot of concern, especially if the little one’s behavior or habits change suddenly.
Luckily, your pediatrician will be there for you with the answer to any questions you may have. In addition to being an excellent source of advice and information, they will conduct regular exams to see how your child is developing. They will also help arrange the vaccination schedule to help your child develop a healthy immune system.
Toddlers
As your child gets more independent, they are likely to start becoming more and more inquisitive. This can sometimes lead to accidents and preoccupation with the world around them.
You may be concerned about this behavior or think they are too clumsy. But, in most cases, their behavior is perfectly normal and no cause for concern. However, in some cases, they may be symptoms of an underlying condition or behavioral condition. Either way, it is best to get it checked out if you have any concerns.
Off to School
Before you know it, your little ones are off to primary school. It is at this age that they usually develop an interest in sports and spend a lot of time around other children. This can be an exciting time, but it also can be quite challenging for children.
If your child has trouble adapting to the school environment or interacting with other kids, your pediatrician can help you to see if there is anything that needs to be addressed.
Some children develop quickly in the sporting arena, and pediatric care now offers support and assistance in this field. Most clinics offer sports physicals that are good for identifying any issues that may occur as a result of playing sports such as baseball and football.
Adolescents
Once your students hit adolescence, they will start to notice many changes with their bodies, and it will be comforting to know that there is someone there that they can talk to.
Acne can be a big problem at this time of life as the hormones go into overdrive. For some, this won’t be a problem; for others, it can be very upsetting. There are a variety of treatments that your pediatrician can recommend that will take care of this issue that can affect the confidence of your child.
It is also at this time that your child starts to become sexually aware and the sexual organs start to change a great deal. Having someone there to give advice about bodily changes and contraception can be reassuring for the young-adult and parent alike.
From the Cradle to Young Adulthood
Watching your children grow can elicit all sorts of emotions, and you are likely to be overly sensitive to minor changes in their behavior, appearance, and growth patterns. Most of the time, it is nothing to be worried about, but it is always worth addressing with your pediatrician.
By meeting regularly with your doctor, you will be able to make informed choices about your child and ensure they become a healthy and active adult.
