At this well-child visit, Baby will be making progress on some immunizations and finishing up some others. Your healthcare provider will continue to track growth and development and answer all your questions about your little one.
At the appointment
Between this appointment and the next, Baby will get the second dose of the vaccines for acellular pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus. If Baby didn’t get them at their last appointment, this visit will likely include the last dose of the vaccine for pneumococcal conjugate and the first dose for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.
Some milestones your healthcare provider might be looking for include bending down without falling, imitating you, walking well, putting blocks in cups, scribbling, drinking without spilling, saying a couple words, listening to a story, helping in the house, and bringing you toys.
Questions to ask
As Baby becomes more and more mobile and curious, it might be time to take a second (or third) pass at baby-proofing your home. You might want to gate off parts of your house and your stairs, guard windows, lock lower cabinets, and watch out for things on tables and counters. You can ask the healthcare provider questions about the best ways to baby-proof your home and car, and you could ask some of these questions as well:
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How do I manage temper tantrums?
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What are the best ways to teach Baby how to talk?
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How can I help Baby get a better night’s sleep?
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Should I be giving praise whenever they do something good, or are there limitations?
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How do I wean Baby from the bottle?
Sources
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“AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits.” HealthyChildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics. December 18, 2015. Web.
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“Well-child visits.” MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. February 5, 2015. Web.
