Tips, Advice and Milestones for Every Stage of Your Child’s Development
As a parent, knowing the right way to care for your child at a given age can be confusing. At University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s, we want to make it easier by putting to rest any uncertainty about what’s best for your child. Our Ages & Stages guidelines provide the most up-to-date, pediatrician-approved information about caring for your child at every age, from newborn to teenager. We also share information on what to expect at annual visits and routine health screenings your child may need.
Ages and Stages
Our guidelines include information about growth and development milestones you can expect your child to achieve at each stage, along with tips on nutrition, sleep, safety and general health and wellness, plus expert advice on topics such as social development, discipline and other parenting issues. Whatever your concern is as a parent, you can find answers here at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s.
Annual Well-Child Visits
An annual well-child visit with your pediatrician is a great chance to ask questions and get personalized insights into your child’s growth and development. Many parents find they learn answers to questions they didn’t even know they should ask. These visits can also help catch health problems early. From infants to young adults, well-child checkups can help build a foundation for a lifetime of good health.
What to expect at a well-child visit:
- A head-to-toe physical exam.
- Important childhood health screenings.
- Immunizations (shots).
- Tracking your child’s growth, emotional and social development.
- Time to ask questions about your child’s physical and mental health.
- Guidance on what to expect and how to manage challenges as your child grows.
- Referrals to specialists or further care when needed.
As your child gets older, they’ll also become more involved during these visits. Your child’s provider will include them in discussions about physical activity, healthy eating, sleep, mental health, puberty and how things are going at home and school.
Recommended Childhood Health Screenings
Your pediatrician will recommend health screenings as your child ages, as well as when there are symptoms or risk factors that could mean further testing is needed. Some routine childhood health screenings include:
- Newborn screenings
- Dental/oral health screenings (beginning at age 6 months)
- Lead exposure screenings (ages 12 and 24 months)
- Autism spectrum disorder screenings (ages 12 and 24 months)
- Routine blood pressure screenings (beginning at age 3)
- Vision screenings (beginning at age 3)
- Hearing screenings (beginning at age 4)
- Cholesterol screenings (beginning between ages 9 and 11)
- Blood tests for conditions like anemia or diabetes (as needed)
- Anxiety screenings (beginning at age 8)
- Depression screenings (beginning at age 12)
- Sexual health screenings for teens (as needed)
Pediatric Primary Care at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s
UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s has the region’s largest coordinated network of pediatric primary care providers, committed to delivering the very best care to babies, children and adolescents.