Finding the right pediatrician in Saginaw, MI is important when you have children. Dr. Gayatri Shanker of Caring Pediatric Partners and his entire pediatric team offer all the services your children will need from birth through their teen years.
Most experts divide childhood into 5 developmental stages. Part of what you can expect from a well visit is to have your pediatrician access your child to make sure they reach all their milestones. Not all children fit into a mold, so there are some variations in the development of most children.
Newborn
The stage that is considered the newborn stage is between birth and two months. Babies can make a fist, and they will grasp a finger if it is placed against their hand. The pediatrician will check weight height, and head circumference. The first visit will be a couple of days after birth, then one week, two weeks, and one month and two months.
Infant
An infant is three months to a year old. Scheduled well visits with a pediatrician in Saginaw, MI will take place at four months, six months, nine months, and one year. By one year, your child will have doubled their birth weight. They will have gotten a good start on their vaccination schedule and will be moving around either on their knees or their feet.
Toddler
Toddlers are between one and three years old, and it can be a wild ride. They now run, not walk, and can take stubbornness to new heights. Every day is a challenge. They will be getting their well visits at 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, and 3 years. Immunizations continue as well as checking vitals and making sure that growth is keeping pace.
Preschool
Preschool is ages 3-5 and this is where real changes begin. Yearly wellness visits take place and all the immunizations that are required before going to school. Your pediatrician will make sure that your child has met all the expected milestones or is at least close. Not every child is up-to-date in every category, they may lack in some and excel in others.
School-age
Getting yearly wellness exams is part of being between five and seventeen. Immunizations continue and certainly, school and sports physicals will happen along the way. By this point, a relationship has developed between your pediatrician and your child. They should feel comfortable talking about any questions they have about their body changes.
Dr.Shanker of Caring Pediatric Partners is a pediatrician in Saginaw, MI. He provides well-care visits as well as care when your child is ill. You can make an appointment by calling the office at (989) 793-1095.