Alice Hyde’s
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3
DURING
your child’s first year, the doctor
might have seemed like an honorary member
of the family.
All those checkups meant you were seeing
each other quite frequently. But well-child
checkups aren’t just for babies. Kids of all ages
can benefit from regular visits to the doctor’s
office.
“If your child is healthy, you might not think
all these visits are necessary,” says Julia Ordonez,
MD, pediatrician at Alice Hyde Medical Center.
“But regular visits offer important safeguards
and something for everyone.”
Your child, of course, will have his or her
health and development checked, and you can
use each visit to learn more about keeping your
child healthy.
The doctor’s role
According to the American Academy of
Pediatrics, your child’s doctor can get a good
picture of your child’s overall progress when he
or she sees your child regularly. And if there is
a problem, spotting it early often means it’s
easier to treat.
You can expect your child to be weighed and measured at each
visit. The doctor will listen to the child’s heart and lungs, feel his or her
abdomen, and examine other areas of the body. The doctor can make
sure your child is up-to-date on immunizations and recommended
screening tests.
Older children may be comfortable going to their appointments
without you; these visits can be a good opportunity for the doctor to
discuss issues that commonly affect adolescents.
Make the most of visits
“Parents can use these checkups to ask any questions they have about
their child’s health,” says Dr. Ordonez.
You might want to keep a notebook to jot down questions as you think
of them. And don’t hesitate to ask for details during your child’s checkup.
Are you curious about a test? Wondering what a vaccination is for?
Just ask. If the doctor is short on time, maybe a nurse can take a few
minutes to answer your questions.
ALICE cares for kids
Regular doctor visits are part of a healthy childhood
Pediatrician
Julia Ordonez, MD:
518-481-2600
Take a minute to get timely tips to keep your family
healthy at
youtube.com/alicehydemedical
.
Daily formula for
healthy kids
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5 or more fruits and vegetables.
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2 hours or less of recreational screen
time.
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1 hour of more of physical activity.
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0 sugary drinks.
Message, graphics and program adapted from Lets Go!
(
letsgo.org
).
Pediatrician
Emile Benardot,
MD:
518-483-5800.
Call today to
schedule that
checkup!
Growing up healthy:
Right on schedule
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends the following general
schedule for well-child checkups:
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Before your baby leaves the hospital.
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Within 3 to 5 days of birth.
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Within 48 to 72 hours after discharge
from the hospital.
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By 1 month.
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At 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months.
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At 15, 18, 24 and 30 months.
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Yearly visits from 3 through 21 years.
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