As adults, we tend to be in a good routine with our own health checks. But when you have children, you’re going to have to get used to being entirely responsible for someone else’s health checks too! Sure, most children seem to be in good health most of the time and we will automatically take them to the doctor if they’re feeling unwell or injured in some way. But there are also routine health checks that need to take place for a qualified practitioner to survey the overall wellbeing of your little one, as well as niche areas of focus, to ensure that they are developing as expected and to make sure that they receive any support or assistance they need. Here are some to add to your schedule.
Dental Checkups
Just like adults, children should visit a dentist once every six months to check in on their dental health. This will give the dentist a chance to monitor the development of their teeth and to provide any advice or suggestions that will help them in the long run. Start booking in appointments for your little one as soon as their baby teeth start to arrive. Most parents tend to book in appointments next to their own to make management of appointments as easy as possible. Your dentist will be able to ensure that your child’s teeth are healthy, can recommend braces if required once adult teeth come through and can also show your child how to properly care for their teeth independently.
Opticians
You should also check in on your child’s sight every so often. This check up is recommended once every two years, unless you notice a sudden or gradual change in your child’ sight before they’re due their next checkup, in which case, you should book in an additional checkup. This will help to monitor your child’s sight and can ensure that they receive glasses if necessary. The optician will be able to give you a specific prescription that can help your child see as best possible. Most will be qualified to check children’s eyes, but you can find specific practitioners who specialise in optician work for children if you are facing issues.
Vaccinations
Most children receive routine vaccinations to protect them from diseases and viruses that could otherwise impact them. There are a number that should be scheduled and it can be difficult to keep on top of them, so make sure to ask your doctor for some sort of schedule that will allow you to set reminders and book in appointments when required. Before the age of 8 weeks, your little one should receive the six in one vaccine (which protects them against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib, polio, tetanus and whooping cough), a rotavirus vaccine and a MenB vaccine. They will need second doses of the six in one and rotavirus vaccine by the age of 12 weeks, as well as a PCV vaccine. By 16 weeks, they will need a third dose of the six in one vaccine and a second dose of the MenB. By the age of one, they will need to be protected against Hib/MenC, MMR and receive a second dose of PCV and MenB. Between two and ten they can receive the flu vaccines. By 3 years and four months, they need a second dose of the MMR, as well as a pre-school booster. This sounds like a lot, but it will all set your little one up for life.
Hopefully, some of the information above helps you to book in the routine health checks your little one needs to thrive!