At Main Street Pediatrics, we understand the importance of well-child visits in ensuring your child’s growth and development. Our pediatric doctors provide comprehensive care during these visits, including physical exams, medical history reviews, and vaccinations, as well as personalized guidance on nutrition, exercise, and injury prevention.
We believe that parents and pediatricians play an essential role in promoting and maintaining children’s good health. That’s why our pediatricians take the time to listen to your concerns and provide individualized care plans for each child. If you’re in Towson, MD, or the surrounding areas, contact us today at (410) 494-1369 (Towson) or (410) 526-7993 (Foundry Row) to schedule a well-child visit with one of our experienced pediatric doctors.
Scheduling your child’s physical is the best way to take a proactive approach to their health. Well visits are our opportunity to check in with you to make sure everything is going well with your child. We perform a comprehensive review of your child’s health, including growth, development, nutrition, behavior, sleep, mental health and physical health. We also make sure your child stays up to date on his/her vaccinations. We require all our patients to follow the vaccine schedule as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control. It’s also an opportunity for you discuss any particular questions or concerns you have about your child.
Physicals Offered at Main Street Pediatrics
School Physicals
During a school physical, your child’s pediatrician will have an opportunity to examine year-over-year changes and progress. The younger years are more heavily focused on developmental progress and vaccinations, while adolescent years tend to be more focused on psychological and physical changes. This exam for teens gives them a chance to ask any questions relating to adolescent issues such as drinking, smoking, drugs, sexual activity, and depression.
Sports Physicals
Sports physicals are largely required by athletic leagues and schools. During this exam, the pediatrician will check your child’s vitals, joints, flexibility, and vision. This gives them an opportunity to flag down any issues that may cause injury during the season. Sports physicals should be given at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the upcoming sports season, giving the child ample time to correct any issues before the season. While a sports physical and an annual school physical have a lot in common, the sports physical does not include evaluation of the overall health of your child. Therefore, a sports physical should not replace a school physical.
Camp Physicals
Also commonly referred to as a pre-participation physical, a camp physical ensures that your child can safely participate in activities. A physical may not always be required prior to your child going off to camp, but it’s still a great way to stay on top of their health. Please note that a camp physical should not replace a school physical.
How Often Does My Child Need a Physical Exam
For Infants (less than 1 year old): Newborns and infants will have frequent visits to your pediatrician. From your first visit after the hospital to your child’s first birthday, you will have 7 well care visits! We see all infants two days after they go home from the hospital, then again at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months.
For Toddlers (1-3 years old): Your toddler needs a physical at 12 months, 15 months,18 months, 2 years and 2 and a half years old. These are important opportunities to track your child’s growth and development as well as make sure he or she stays up to date on vaccinations.We also perform vision screening, lead screening and anemia screening at the 12 month and 24 month visit.
For Preschool and School Age Children (3 years to adolescence): We recommend annual well visits. In addition to monitoring growth and development, we also start to screen blood pressure, hearing and vision at each visit. Note that all children need to have their 4 year old vaccines before starting kindergarten. In addition, all children need their 11 year old vaccines before starting 7th grade.
Adolescence can be a challenging time for both your child and you. We recommend annual visits at which we will check in with your adolescent about how things are at home, at school and with their social life. We will also offer advice to your adolescent about self care, in particular as it relates to their mental health, their sleep habits, their physical health as well as counsel them about avoiding risky behaviors.
Schedule a Well-Child Visit in Towson and Foundry Row, MD
Regular well-child visits are an essential part of maintaining your child’s health and ensuring that they are meeting their developmental milestones. Our pediatric doctors at Main Street Pediatrics in Towson, MD, are committed to building lasting relationships with families and providing individualized care plans for each child. By partnering with parents, we can work together to promote healthy habits and prevent illnesses and injuries. Don’t hesitate to schedule a well-child visit for your child today by calling our Towson at (410) 494-1369 or Foundry Row at (410) 526-7993. We look forward to helping your child grow and thrive.