Dubai, UAE - Most parents believe that going to a Pediatrician is only necessary when their child is unwell or needs a fast check-up. Apart from these, there are numerous other reasons why you should see your Pediatrician. Therefore, it's critical to understand how frequently and why you should bring your child to see their Pediatrician.

Why should you take your child to see their Pediatrician on wellness visits?
Wellness visits allow the Pediatrician to assess how well the kid is developing. Every area of a baby's development, including speech, social interactions, fine motor abilities, and gross motor skills, can be monitored by their Pediatrician as they grow. While some children reach their milestones early, others may not reach them until the next year. Your kids doctor in Dubai will notify you to keep an eye on your youngster and possibly report back during the next wellness visit.

“As a parent, you are normally on the lookout for developmental milestones, and if you think your child is not reaching specific requirements by a particular age, you must take your child to your Pediatrician, regardless of whether your child is ill or not. Delays in development could require treatments to assist your kid in meeting these changes. It is critical to adhere to this wellness visit schedule to keep your child healthy and up to date on all vaccinations” says Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, the best Pediatrician in Dubai.


Recommended age for wellness visits

Your visits to your Pediatrician start way before your baby is born. During your pregnancy, you must consult your doctor for nutrition and breastfeeding. Once your baby is born, you must consult your Pediatrican for breastfeeding. Hearing screening is usually done at the hospital after your baby is born, if not, then you must get that done when your baby is 2 weeks old. On all visits, your Pediatrician will measure your baby's weight, height, and head circumference in the initial stages, Body Mass Index (BMI) at later stages, and record the data on a growth chart.

1 month old
Your Pediatrician will Inquire about your baby's health, address any concerns, and offer advice on feeding. Infants should be fed whenever they appear to be hungry. Breastfed newborns will eat 8-12 times every 24 hours at this age. Formula-fed newborns take approximately 24 ounces per day. Infants should change 6 wet diapers every day. The quantity of poopy diapers used per day varies, but most breastfed babies use three or more. Breastfed babies may have many days without a bowel movement around the age of six weeks while formula-fed newborns may have one bowel movement each day. At this age, infants sleep around 14 to 17 hours a day, including several naps during the day. If you have any concerns regarding your infant's feeding, bowel movements, or sleep, inform your Pediatrician.

2 months old
By 2 months, the majority of babies make sounds apart from crying, respond to loud sounds, calm down and smile when they hear your voice or when you pick them up, look at your face or a toy for several seconds, raise their head while resting on their stomach, move both arms and legs and briefly open their hands. At this age, your baby needs vaccination. Talk to your Pediatrician on the mandatory vaccinations.

4 months old
Most babies at 4 months tilt their heads to your voice, produce cooing sounds, respond to you with sounds, explore their hands, hold toys with their hands, smile and chuckle, keep their heads steady, and press up onto their elbows/forearms during tummy time. It’s crucial to take your child to see your Pediatrician as it'll help you understand the development stages of your baby better and also address any concerns you may have. Your baby will also need vaccination at this time. Talk to your Pediatrician for the vaccine.

6 months old
It's time to start introducing solids, starting with iron-fortified single-grain cereal or puréed vegetables or fruits. Inform your Pediatrician if your infant has had any reactions to a new meal (such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or a rash). Most babies sleep for at least 6 hours per night at this age. You may also notice a difference in your baby's stool after introducing food - the colour and consistency of your baby's food may vary. Inform your Pediatrician if your baby's stool becomes hard, dry, or difficult to pass, or if they develop diarrhoea. Most newborns recognize familiar people by 6 months, can put things in their mouth to investigate, reach for a toy they want, roll from their tummy to their back, and push up with straight arms when on their tummy.
At this age, your Pediatrician will also perform a vision screening and administer a vaccine.


9 months old
At this age, your Pediatrician will perform a screening test to detect developmental impairments. Your infant can most likely drink from a cup and eat with their fingers. Your infant may still take two naps per day, one in the morning and one after lunch, but every baby is different. At this age, waking up in the middle of the night is common. Your Pediatrician will also perform a screening blood test. Now is also the time for vaccination. Visit the best Pediatric clinic in Dubai for your baby’s vaccination.

12 months old
At this age, your Pediatrician will recommend a Tympanometry test to evaluate the proper functioning of the middle ear along with hearing and vision screening. Your baby will also be administered a vaccine at this stage. Toddlers are ready to transition from formula to cow's milk by 12 months. Speak to your Pediatrician about it. If desired, you can breastfeed your little one even after the age of one year. Your youngster may become less interested in baby foods and more interested in table foods. Provide a range of soft table foods to avoid choking risks. As you introduce more meals and whole milk, the appearance (and frequency) of your child's stool may alter. Inform your doctor if your child has diarrhoea, constipation, or difficulty to poop.

Most toddlers by 12 months also call you "mama" and "dada" or another unique name, gesture goodbye with a wave, walk while clinging onto furniture, and use their thumb and pointer finger to lift things.


15 months old
At this stage, your Pediatrician will administer the mandatory vaccine to your baby. By now, most toddlers can eat a range of foods and are better able to tolerate textures by 15 months. Provide your youngster with three meals and two or three scheduled nutritious snacks per day. Since growth slows in the second year of life, don't be shocked if your child's appetite has diminished. Your child can drink from a cup and may be able to use a spoon, but they will most likely prefer to finger-feed. By 15 months, the majority of toddlers will try saying something other than "mama" or "dada", and show affection with hugs, cuddles, and kisses following orders with actions and words to ask for something or to request help. They will also be able to stack at least two things, such as blocks, which can take a few steps on their own. When you visit your kids doctor in Dubai, they’ll guide you through your child’s development phase and their growth habits.


18 months old
Now is the time for your baby’s first dental checkup. Visiting your Pediatric dentist early on will help your child develop good oral hygiene habits and maintain a healthy mouth. Your Pediatrician will also administer your baby with a vaccine. Most toddlers would have given up their morning nap by the age of 18 months. By this time, the majority of toddlers will try to pronounce three or more words other than "mama" or "dada", demonstrate something intriguing, follow 1-step directions without a gesture point, help with dressing by pulling their arms through their sleeves or elevating their feet, imitate you performing chores, use a spoon, simply play with toys, and walk without holding onto anybody or anything. Speak to your Pediatrician if your baby has not yet spoken their first words. It could be a sign of speech delay.


24 months old
At this age, your Pediatrician will conduct a screening (test) for the early detection of autism along with vision, hearing, and blood screening. Your Pediatrician may perform Tympanometry to check your child’s middle ear and also administer a vaccine. It’s normal for your child to occasionally skip meals or like something one day and then reject it the next. Plan three meals and two or three healthy snacks every day. When most children are 2-3 years old, they are ready to start potty training. If you notice that your child has not met the required milestones by this time, speak to your Pediatrician. Early detection can help your child have a healthy future.

30 months
Your Pediatrician will recommend a screening (test) for the early detection of developmental impairments. By 30 months, the majority of toddlers say approximately 50 words, speak two or more words together with an action word, play with other children, pretend using a block as a phone, take off their clothes by themselves, jump off the ground with both feet and when you point to something in a book and ask, "What's this?" they name it.



3 years
If your youngster is cooperative, your Pediatrician will examine their blood pressure and vision. During your child’s preschool years, growth is gradual and constant. Even if your child is a picky eater, continue to provide a variety of nutritious foods. Your preschooler may be potty trained or use the potty throughout the day. Even yet, it is typical for children of this age to have a mishap during the day and still require a nappy at night. Inform your doctor if your child has not yet shown signs of being ready to potty train. By the age of three, the majority of children can talk with another person and have at least two back-and-forth exchanges when speaking, give their first name when asked, identify what is happening in a picture, notice other children, and join them in play.

4 years
Using conventional testing equipment, your Pediatrician will check your child's blood pressure, eyesight, and hearing. Your Pediatrician will also administer a vaccine and advise you to observe your child’s motor skills. At this age, it’s important to plan three meals and two healthy snacks every day. By the age of four, the majority of children say sentences of four or more words, answer simple questions, engage in play with other children, change their behaviour depending on where they are, and sketch a human with three or more body parts.


Consult the best Pediatrician in Dubai if your child is not meeting one or more milestones, or if you observe that your kid once possessed these skills but has lost them over time.

Other reasons to see your child’s Pediatrician
Vaccinations
Concerns about nutrition or weight
High fever (especially in babies)
Infections in the ears
Behavioural concerns
A common cold (this is especially important for newborns, as the common cold increases the risk of a serious illness).

After the age of 4, your kid will normally need to come once a year for a comprehensive routine checkup with their Pediatric doctor in Dubai. If your child becomes unwell or if concerns arise between these times, you must schedule a visit to the best Pediatric clinic in Dubai immediately.


myPediaclinic - the best Pediatric clinic in Dubai
Our experienced award-winning Pediatricians at myPediaclinic in Dubai Healthcare City help young children have a stress-free and relaxing visit. As one of the most trusted and kid-friendly clinics in the country, the doctors and staff at myPediaclinic are focused on delivering quality treatment and consultation for the long-term health and well-being of their patients.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment