• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  • icon of a house   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find a Doctor
  • Find a Location
  • Find a Specialty
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Pay a Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
528066850 Child Hearing

Staying Up to Date with Pediatric Visits and Vaccines: Here's Why It’s Important

Mar 14, 2022 |
By Pamela Musacchia, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

As parents, we understand how important it is to keep our children healthy and active. The last two years have certainly thrown us curve balls and many children have missed or delayed visits to their pediatrician. But it’s not too late to catch up!

Pediatric well-visits are critical to ensuring that your child is reaching important milestones, especially for those 2 years and under. These visits allow for a complete and comprehensive check of your child’s overall health. During a well-visit, your child’s pediatrician will check for appropriate social, cognitive and language development, ensure proper growth and provide age-appropriate vaccinations to strengthen your child’s immunity. Your pediatrician will also check your child’s blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. This is a great opportunity for parents to discuss any concerns they have about their child’s health. These visits also allow you to build a relationship with your child’s doctor.

Your pediatrician may also talk to and play with your child to see if he or she is developing and meeting specific milestones. A missed milestone could be a sign of an underlying problem, so your doctor or another specialist may want to take a closer look by using a more thorough test or exam.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening for all children during regular well-child visits from 2 months to 5 years old.

Keeping up to date with your child’s vaccines ensures their immune system is providing them optimal protection. Getting your child vaccinated on the recommended schedule is the best way to keep them healthy. If your child misses a shot, you don't need to start over. Call your pediatrician and they can schedule the next shot. The vaccine recommendations are divided into two age groups:

Birth to 6-years old

7-18-years-old

Important childhood vaccinations include the following:

  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Rotavirus
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis
  • Pneumococcal conjugate
  • Influenza
  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • COVID-19 as soon as eligible

Once children turn 4 years old and receive immunizations to start school, it’s easy to forget about maintaining regular visits with your pediatrician, but it’s essential for parents to continue bringing their children in for a yearly visit even if they don't need immunizations. Many social and educational topics are covered during these years in addition to monitoring growth and overall health. A good rule of thumb is, after your child starts kindergarten, you should plan on bringing them in once a year for a visit. Scheduling that visit around their birthday is an easy way to make sure you don't forget.

How can you prepare for a pediatric well-visit?

  • Make notes about what you’ve noticed about your child’s health and development. Include any changes in behavior or family routines.
  • Write a list of questions. You will have time to ask them during your visit. If you have many questions, ask the most important ones first and plan for another time for a longer discussion. Encourage your teen to ask questions about his/her own health.
  • Gather information that might be helpful for your pediatrician to know. Share information from school or childcare provider so your physician can learn more about your child.

A well-visit isn’t the only time you can seek care or ask questions. If you think of something after your child’s visit, don’t hesitate to contact the doctor. It’s important to keep them up to date on any new developments or changes. This can help in making the most out of your next appointment.

The pediatric team at Ochsner provides prospective parent appointments to help find the right pediatrician for your child and family. We also offer extended hours for appointments in the early morning and evening at many locations, and virtual care visits are also available.

Click here to schedule online or call 504-354-3116. Use our online search tool to find a pediatrician near you.

To learn more about Dr. Pamela Musacchia, or to make an appointment, click here.

Tags
children's health
child development

You may also be interested in:

Title THUMB FAQ Pediatrics Medine 1
Conditions & Treatment
March 4, 2021

Common Cold Remedies for Kids Under 6

An Ochsner pediatrician addresses a misunderstanding some parents have when treating colds for children under 6 years old.
By Amber Medine, MD
Pediatrician
Parenting
April 5, 2021

3 Things Your Pediatrician Wants You To Know

Parents, here are three things that your child's pediatrician wants you to know.
By James Wayne, MD
Child on Bicycle
Conditions & Treatment
April 19, 2021

Constipation in Children: When to Worry

Functional constipation is a common childhood problem. At least 25% of visits to pediatric gastroenterologists are due to constipation. Common events that lead to a change in bowel frequency include potty training, starting school or a change in schedule.
By Erika Smith, MD

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637
Follow us: Facebook Visit Ochsner Health on Facebook Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok
Sign up for our free health and wellness newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.
SIGN UP

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide