NEWS

Do you have a new addition to your family? Preventive care offered by the pediatricians at Pediatric Associates of Wellesley in Medfield, and Weston, MA, helps you ensure that your newborn is growing and thriving.
 

Why Preventive Care is Important

Following the well-child visit schedule recommended by your child's pediatricians in Medfield, and Weston, MA, is a simple way to protect your child's health. During the visit your child's doctor will:

  • Assess Your Child's Physical Development: Although every child develops on his or her own schedule, comparing your child's height, length, and head circumference to standard growth chart measurements can help the pediatrician spot potential issues early on and recommend helpful interventions or treatments.
  • Ensure That Your Newborn is Getting Adequate Nutrition: During visits, your child's pediatrician will also look for signs indicating that your child isn't getting enough breast milk or formula. Signs may include excessive sleepiness or failure to gain weight. A sunken soft spot or less than six wet diapers a day could mean that your baby is dehydrated. If it appears that your baby isn't receiving the full benefits of feedings, your child's pediatrician can help you identify the causes and make feeding suggestions.
  • Immunize Your Baby: Immunizations protect your baby from illnesses that could make them seriously ill or cause lifelong health complications. Your child will receive the bulk of their immunizations during the first few years of life, although they will need boosters throughout childhood. Immunizations protect your child from developing a variety of illnesses including whooping cough, hepatitis, rotavirus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, and chickenpox.
  • Check Developmental Milestones: During well-child visits, your pediatrician will note if your newborn is meeting common milestones, such as making fists with the hands or turning their head from side to side. Some babies are quicker to reach milestones than others. Just because your child hasn't yet reached a milestone doesn't necessarily mean that there is a problem. Milestones are just one of the factors your child's pediatrician considers when evaluating their health.
  • Evaluate Vision and Hearing: Newborn preventive care visits also include hearing and vision assessments. Although a newborn's vision is a little fuzzy at first, it will gradually become sharper as the months pass.

Need to arrange a preventive care visit for your newborn? Schedule an appointment with the pediatricians at Pediatric Associates of Wellesley by calling (781) 736-0040 for the Weston, MA, office, or (508) 359-9200 for the Medfield, MA, office.