This is probably your ninth well-child appointment, so you’re basically a well-child professional at this point. Baby might have a few immunizations in store for them, and their healthcare provider will continue to track their growth, development, and milestones.
At the appointment
If you’re on track with immunizations, this appointment would be at the end of the range where Baby would get their last hepatitis B vaccine, third polio vaccine, and fourth acellular pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.
The milestones your healthcare provider will be looking for at this visit might include knowing the name of a favorite book, laughing with people, running, walking up stairs, speaking several words, using a spoon and cup well, pointing to a body part, stacking blocks, and “helping” around the house.
Questions to ask
As long as there are no concerns, Baby‘s next well-child visit will be their two-year visit, so this is your last chance to get in all your questions before that stretch! Don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for information about health and wellness as well as advice about behavior. Some questions might include:
- How many words and sounds should they have at this age?
- Should I keep trying to introduce foods that they don’t like?
- How do I teach them to get along with others?
- Should toddlers really stay rear-facing for as long as possible?
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.
Read more
- Expanding your toddler’s vocabulary
- Teaching your child not to bully
- Signs your toddler is ready potty training
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.
