Twelve Month Well Visit: What to Expect
Congratulations! Happy birthday! You have reached a significant milestone: Your baby is now year old! It has probably gone by very fast. Isn’t it amazing how much babies can change in just one year? Your child will continue to grow and to change rapidly over the next year. Well-child visits are an essential part of keeping your baby healthy and safe. This visit is one of the busiest, and this age is full of changes. Here’s what to expect today.
What to expect today
- We will ask about what you are feeding your baby, and be sure he is getting the proper nutrition at this age.
- We will examine your baby’s growth, making sure she is growing at a normal rate for her age. This is a very important part of making sure children are healthy and are getting the proper nutrition. Babies grow very fast, but start to slow down a little at this age.
- We will check on how he is sleeping because this is important for her health (and for the whole family!).
- We will ask what kind of things he is doing now to be sure her brain, nerves and muscles are developing properly.
- We will do a full physical exam, looking at every part of your child’s body. Please let the doctor know if you have any particular questions or concerns.
- We will let you know about important changes to feeding your child at this age
Checklist for today’s visit
Iron deficiency (anemia) screening
Lead screening (if at risk or have Medicaid plan)
Vaccines (see below)
Fluoride varnish on teeth
Vision screening using device
Free book!
Vaccines usually given at this visit
These are the vaccines we usually give at this visit. Your child’s schedule may differ from the usual schedule. You can view your child’s vaccine record on the portal and compare it with the standard schedule. All of these vaccines, except influenza, are required by Georgia law for school and daycare attendance.
Vaccines are among the most researched and safest treatments for children (and adults). They are highly effective at preventing severe illness and death and save hundreds of thousands of children’s lives every year. For centuries, these diseases were the most common cause of death in children, and all of them are still present and a threat to the health and lives of infants and children. Visit our Vaccine Center for more information.
The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). There are still numerous measles outbreaks in England, Europe, and the United States due to increased numbers of unvaccinated children. Measles can be severe or deadly in children, and mumps can cause sterility in males. Rubella can infect babies in their mother’s womb and cause hearing loss and other birth defects.
More information
The PCV13 (pneumococcal) vaccine protects against a common bacterial infection in children. It causes common conditions, such as ear infections, and more severe infections, including sepsis and meningitis. The vaccine prevents severe illness and has also made ear infections much less common. It is the most common cause of serious bacterial infections in infants and toddlers. Infants should not delay getting this vaccine.
More information
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus that easily spreads from person to person through close contact and food. It can cause mild or severe illness in children and adults.
More information
The influenza (flu) vaccine is recommended during flu season for all children. Children less than nine years old need two doses this year if they have not had at least two doses before. The vaccine is usually given between October and March each year.
More information
Giving medication for fever or pain before the vaccines is not recommended, and it is not needed for fever after the vaccines either. Fever will not harm your child, and it helps the vaccines work. You only need to treat discomfort. If your child is cranky, fussy, or uncomfortable, give some pain medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen). See After Vaccine Care for more information.
You can learn more about each vaccine from the CDC Vaccine Information Statements (VIS). There is a link above for each vaccine and a copy in a notebook in your exam room. You can also ask for a paper copy at your child’s visit.
Development
Your child should be doing the following things now; if not, please let us know:
- Pulling up to standing position
- Babbling and imitating sounds
- Grasping objects with finger and thumb
Iron deficiency (anemia) screening
Children this age are at risk of iron deficiency, and iron is essential for a toddler’s development. We screen children for low iron by measuring the hemoglobin level to see if anemia is present. We will do a small prick of your child’s heel and take a few drops of blood. You will get the results today before you leave.
Lead screening
Young children are at risk for lead poisoning from their environment, and children are tested if they have risk factors for exposure to lead. Federal law requires testing all children with public insurance (a Medicaid or PeachCare plan) even if there are no risk factors. Sometimes we can do this test in our office; if not, we will send it to the lab.
Vision screening
Vision screening in babies? Yes! Current guidelines recommend vision screening with a special camera starting at 12 months old. Early treatment of vision problems can prevent permanent vision loss. Most insurance companies cover it; we charge a very low fee if they don’t. If you choose not to have it done here, you need to take your baby to an eye doctor for testing. Learn more.
Your child’s medical home
As your child’s medical home, we want to know about any new developments since the last visit, including
- any emergency department or urgent care visits and hospitalizations
- visits to any specialists, therapists, or any other health care providers
- changes in family health history
- recent illnesses or injuries
- changes or challenges at home, family, and living situation
We track and manage all your child’s health information in one place!
Learn more about what it means to be your child’s medical home.
Free book!
We are a Reach Out and Read site. That means that your child will receive a brand-new book at every well-child visit from 6 months to 5 years old! Partnering with Reach Out and Read is part of our early literacy and school readiness initiatives. Learn more about our partnership with this amazing program.
Next visit
- Your child’s next visit is at fifteen months of age. Learn more about what to expect at that visit.
- You can schedule that visit today at checkout.
References
- Hagan JF, Shaw JS, Duncan PM, eds. Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 4th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2017. Bright Futures website
- American Academy of Pediatrics Periodicity Schedule