As soon as your baby takes their first breath, a pediatrician becomes an essential support in their health journey. From their first months through adolescence, pediatrics can help you manage your child’s physical and mental health needs according to their age—whether it’s through routine checkups, counseling or coordinated care with specialists to target any specific health issue.
If you’re looking for pediatrics in Brentwood, TN, to support your child’s development until adulthood, you can count on Cool Springs Internal Medicine & Pediatrics’ team of healthcare providers. Keep reading this article to learn about the age ranges that pediatricians typically treat.
The Basics of Pediatrics
A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in the health of babies, children and teens, approaching conditions and concerns that may appear as they grow up. They provide regular checkups, preventative treatments, vaccinations and consultations for acute injuries and chronic illnesses. Pediatricians can also provide guidance and counselling for parents in order to help them manage their kids’ health at home, giving them advice on nutrition, safety and fitness.
The Different Tasks of a Pediatrician
Well-Child Visits
During a well-child visit, the doctor will monitor your child’s physical growth, measurements, cognitive development and overall wellbeing. They are scheduled with regular intervals, and often start during your child’s first months throughout their teenage years.
Screenings
Routine checkups can include certain screenings that help with detecting any underlying concern or developmental issue. Some of them include vision and hearing tests, blood pressure measurements, and tests for anemia.
Vaccinations
Immunizations are crucial when it comes to managing your child’s health. One of the roles of a pediatrics specialist is to follow vaccination schedules to administer immunizations that can protect your kid from diseases like hepatitis B, polio, measles, tetanus, and diphtheria
Developmental Tests
A pediatrics specialist may use standardized developmental tools and tests to approach areas of mental development such as language skills, motor coordination, social interactions and cognitive abilities. The results from these questionnaires provide information that may be useful when diagnosing a developmental health issue.
🩺 Read more: 5 Signs It’s Time to Find a New Pediatrician in Brentwood, TN
Pediatrics Age Ranges: For Babies & Teens
What makes pediatrics different from other medical specializations is the focus on children’s health throughout each stage until they reach adulthood. Although many parents ask if they should continue visiting the pediatrician once their kids reach adolescence, the answer is that each age milestone before they’re 18 years old has different health needs. Below, we explore the different pediatric age ranges.
Neonatal
The first 27 days are considered the neonatal period in babies. During this crucial time, your child’s body is adjusting to the world, is susceptible to infections, and starts establishing a bond with you as a parent, as well as feeding patterns. Your pediatrician will start taking notes about your kid’s health during this time, as congenital or birth defects could appear.
Infancy
Infancy starts at the age of one month to one year. During this period, your pediatrician will start taking notes about each developmental milestone that your child reaches, and provide you consultations and treatments for any health issue that could appear during this time一 colds, diaper rashes, infections or bronchitis are common amongst babies during this phase.
Toddler
This phase starts at your child’s first birthday and ends at the age of 3 years old. At this stage, they learn to talk and gain more mobility, emotional awareness, social abilities, etc.
Pediatrics specialists often pay attention to the cognitive development and acute injuries during this time.
Childhood
- Early childhood: during the age of 2 to 5 years old, your kid goes through early childhood experiencing physical, social and emotional changes, while also developing the ability to speak and hand-eye coordination.
- Late childhood: from the age of 6 to 12 years old, your kid’s physical growth and vulnerability to viral illnesses are important topics. Other relevant aspects are their social abilities, injuries and their mental health.
Early Adolescence
The teenage years, or adolescence, starts at age 12 for most kids and ends at 18-20 years old. Themes like identity, sexual maturity and health, mental disorders, sports injuries and mood swings are the most frequent during this time, and need to be managed along with a pediatrics specialist.
Book Your Next Pediatrics Appointment
Pediatrics goes beyond just treating any acute illness in your child and measuring their height一your pediatrician is meant to be a partner in monitoring and caring for your child’s development, ensuring that they get to grow into a healthy individual at every stage. If you’re in Brentwood, TN, you can find the right pediatrician for your children at Cool Springs Internal Medicine & Pediatrics. Contact our office to schedule your appointment today, and start providing your family the comprehensive care they deserve.
