Few things are as important as your child's health. Wellness visits are opportunities for health professionals to support families in working toward optimizing their child's health and well-being.

Like you, your health care provider strives to ensure your child is healthy, happy and thriving. As there are many factors contributing to a healthy life, the evaluation performed by your physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant is multidimensional.

During your child's wellness visit, medical practitioners will evaluate your child's physical body, growth and development, as well as social and emotional needs. Your child's medical practitioner will also talk with you about any parenting questions or concerns.

The benefits of wellness visits include providing preventative care, tracking growth and development, discussing concerns for your child and building a team approach to your child's health care. Regular visits will help you and your child develop a relationship with your physician's team. These relationships allow parents to develop a trusting and working relationship with the mutual goal of optimizing your child's health.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends periodic preventive health care services and finds them beneficial for kids of all ages. As early as the first two weeks after babies are born, health monitoring is necessary to ensure babies are transitioning well to their environment and to evaluate for dangerously elevated bilirubin levels. The first year also includes periodic visits to ensure your child is meeting milestones and growing well, and opportunities to obtain recommended vaccinations.

Well-child checks are also beneficial for older children. Your pediatric practitioner will continue to monitor your child, working to prevent illness and identify unmet needs or recommended interventions. During wellness visits in older children, your medical practitioner will ask about sudden changes in activities, mood or health.

Your practitioner will also ask about your child's participation in physical activities or sports, daily living habits such as diet, sleeping patterns, nutrition, social interactions and home life. With this knowledge, your pediatric practitioner will work with you and your child to help create healthy habits and provide tips to optimize your family's wellness.

Recognizing the importance of your child's health in maintaining a healthy family environment, your pediatric practitioner can also help identify any additional needs your family might have and connect you with relevant resources.

Wellness visits are important for all children and aim to support both kids and families in achieving optimal health and wellness.

Kimberly Hartrick Buechle is board certified in pediatric primary care. She enjoys partnering with patients and their families to help guide them in reaching their health and wellness goals. She is currently serving the Magic Valley community at St. Luke's Physician Center at 2550 Addison Ave. E. in Twin Falls. In her free time, Kim loves hiking, running, and spending time with her husband, son and their two dogs.

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