At 3 years old, Baby is becoming more social and doing things more independently. Their healthcare provider probably won’t be administering any vaccines, but there are several complex milestones they might ask about.
At the appointment
There are likely no immunizations to be given at this appointment, but there are many, many milestones that might be reached during this time. A few the healthcare provider might look for at this appointment include balancing on one foot, copying a circle, being understandable to non-family members, and stringing two or three sentences together. This is also a typical time to check eyes and ears again. If you have any concerns about speech or repeated ear infections, checking Baby’s hearing is so important.
Questions to ask
After this appointment, you probably won’t have another well-child visit for a year. If you have any lingering questions or concerns about the next year of Baby‘s health and wellness, now is the time to talk to your healthcare provider. Some questions might include:
- How can I help Baby engage with the book we’re reading?
- What’s the best way to talk to Baby about their day?
- How can I support Baby through tough emotions and tantrums?
- How can I help Baby learn how to take turns?
- What’s the best way to reinforce rules around and outside of the house?
Reviewed by the Ovia Health by Labcorp Clinical Team
A note on vaccines
Ovia Health by Labcorp is committed to providing evidence-based guidance and supporting families with trusted health information. Recent shifts and changes to vaccination recommendations and schedules for pregnant women, children, and infants have raised questions about the safety and efficacy.
We continue to follow the guidance of leading medical organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians about vaccination safety and continued use. Your healthcare provider is best positioned to advise you on vaccination safety for pregnant women, infants, children, and the broader public.
Sources
- “AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits.” HealthyChildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics. December 18, 2015. Web.
- “Well-child visits.” MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. February 5, 2015. Web.
- Heiting, Gary. “Eye exams for children.” All About Vision. AllAboutVision.com. July 2015. Web.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “AAP Immunization Schedule.” 2026. Web https://publications.aap.org/redbook/resources/15585/AAP-Immunization-Schedule
