As a new parent, you may wonder how often your baby should see a doctor in their first year. At 417 Integrative Medicine, your trusted pediatrician Springfield, our pediatric care team explains the importance of wellness checks and timely visits. Each appointment with your provider plays a role in monitoring growth, health, and development. With the right care and related services, you can feel confident about your child’s health and your family’s well-being.
Pediatric clinic visits during the first year are one of the most important steps in keeping your child’s health a priority. Each appointment gives your pediatrician or MD the chance to perform a physical exam, check growth milestones, and provide immunizations at the right time. These visits also give families a chance to talk about feeding, sleep, and prevention strategies for illness or chronic conditions.
For young patients, pediatric services go beyond basic checkups. A provider looks at developmental progress, screens for mental health or wellness concerns, and helps parents understand how to support their infant’s overall health. At our Springfield clinic, experienced pediatricians, staff and doctors focus on personalized care for every patient, ensuring children’s healthcare needs are met from newborn care through adolescence.
During the first year, your infant should see a pediatrician for regular well-child visits at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months. These scheduled appointments allow the provider to assess physical growth, perform a developmental assessment, and administer the recommended immunization schedule. Each visit also includes guidance for nutrition, breastfeeding support, and wellness tips to keep your family’s health on track.
If your child is sick or shows signs of an acute illness between appointments, the pediatric specialist may recommend an additional consultation. General pediatrics and specialty care work together to make sure every child’s care plan is complete. For families in Missouri and Illinois, our Springfield pediatrics clinic provides pediatric services designed to support infants, adolescents, and young adults up to age 18. With available insurance plans, payment options, and referral support, scheduling an appointment is simple and helps keep your child’s health a top priority.
Not every pediatric appointment is the same. Parents should understand the difference between well-child visits and sick visits, as both play an important role in their child’s health care.
Well-child visits are scheduled appointments with your pediatric provider where the focus is on prevention and wellness. During these checkups, your pediatrician or MD tracks growth, performs a physical exam, reviews developmental milestones, and gives immunizations. These visits also cover nutrition, safety, mental health, and wellness guidance to keep your family’s health a priority.
Sick visits, on the other hand, happen when your child is ill or showing symptoms that need medical care. Whether it’s a fever, cough, or other acute illnesses, the pediatrician assesses your child, provides treatment, and may recommend specialty care if needed. Sick visits are important for early diagnosis, proper treatment, and protecting your child’s overall health.
Both types of visits are key parts of pediatric services offered at our Springfield clinic. By combining regular well-child exams with timely sick visits, families can be sure their children’s healthcare needs are fully supported.
At each pediatric visit, your provider will focus on your child’s care plan. This includes:
These services are central to keeping your child healthy and building a strong foundation for their overall health.
Even with a regular appointment schedule, sometimes a child is sick and requires an additional clinic visit. Parents should contact the pediatrician if the infant develops a fever, has trouble feeding, or shows unusual lethargy.
Children’s healthcare also includes quick response to acute illnesses, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment if your child’s health seems off. Early consultation ensures your family’s health remains the priority.
Good preparation can improve the patient experience during each visit. Here are a few tips:
This preparation helps ensure smooth communication with experienced pediatricians and supports your child’s care needs.
Your child’s health deserves consistent attention, from newborn care through adolescence. Regular pediatric appointments keep wellness, prevention, and overall health at the center of your family’s care. At 417 Integrative Medicine, our clinic in Springfield offers pediatric services, developmental assessments, and specialty care when needed.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment, review insurance plans, and get location details. With our experienced pediatricians and supportive team, you can feel confident about keeping your child healthy from the start.
