What are our views on vaccines and preventive care?

It might be tempting to put off thinking about vaccines and pediatric visits, but it’s a whole lot easier to plan ahead than to scramble once baby’s here.

Why preventive care matters

Some parents assume you only go to the pediatrician when your child is sick. But well-child visits are the backbone of your child’s healthcare. They’re scheduled regularly from birth through age 21 (yep, 21!) and here’s what they’re for:

• Prevention: Your baby will receive timely vaccines to protect against serious diseases like measles, polio, meningitis, and whooping cough.

• Tracking development: You’ll get updates on height, weight, and milestones, and a chance to ask about things like sleep, feeding, and those adorable but confusing new behaviors.

• Early detection: Pediatricians are trained to notice subtle signs of concern, so if something’s off, they can catch it early.

• Partnership: These visits help build a relationship with your pediatrician, so you’re not strangers when your child gets sick.

Fun fact: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends visits at 3 to 5 days old, then at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30 months, and then yearly until your child is 21. That’s a lot of lollipops!

Vaccines: what they protect against, and why they start early

One of the most important aspects of well-child visits? Vaccines.

Your baby’s immune system is still developing, and that means they’re more vulnerable to serious illnesses, especially in the first 18 months. That’s why the vaccine schedule begins right at birth, with doses carefully timed to offer protection when your baby needs it most.

By the time your child enters kindergarten, they’ll be protected against 16 preventable diseases, including hepatitis A and B, polio, measles, chickenpox, meningitis, COVID-19, and the flu. Many of these diseases used to hospitalize or even kill thousands of children each year. Thanks to vaccines, most of us have never seen them, and that’s the goal.

Some vaccines you might not expect?

• Rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea and dehydration

• Pneumococcal disease, which can lead to pneumonia or meningitis

• And RSV, a respiratory virus especially dangerous for babies, now preventable through either a maternal vaccine or an infant immunization

Navigating different perspectives

Not every couple starts from the same place. One of you might feel confident in the science, while the other has questions. That’s okay. Talk it through:

• What do we each understand (or wonder) about how vaccines work?

• Are there family stories, cultural beliefs, or past experiences influencing our views?

• What kind of support would help us feel informed and grounded in our decision?

And please, talk to your pediatrician. They’re not just there to give shots. They can explain the schedule, answer questions about ingredients or side effects, and help you figure out what feels right for your family.

What about delayed or selective schedules?

You may hear about alternate vaccine schedules, especially from parents who feel overwhelmed by the number of shots in the early months. Some choose to space them out in hopes of reducing side effects or avoiding “overloading” the immune system. A few even cite specific concerns about ingredients like aluminum.

But here’s the bottom line: delaying vaccines means delaying protection, and that’s a serious risk, especially in a baby’s first year, when they’re most vulnerable to severe illness. Diseases like whooping cough, rotavirus, and meningitis can progress quickly in infants and sometimes require hospitalization or even become life-threatening.

That said, some pediatricians may work with hesitant families to create a modified plan that still prioritizes key vaccines on time (like pertussis, Hib, and pneumococcal) while adjusting the timing of others. The goal in those cases is to maintain trust and reduce vaccine hesitancy, while still building meaningful protection.

If you’re unsure, ask your pediatrician to walk you through the risks and benefits. The best path forward is one rooted in information, partnership, and care, for your baby, and for the people around them too.

What else happens at well-child visits (besides shots?)

Vaccines are only part of the picture. These visits are designed to support your baby’s overall growth, development, and safety, while also helping you navigate early parenthood.

• Developmental screenings: Early screenings can catch problems that impact speech, learning, or motor skills. These checks usually begin in infancy and continue through the school years.

• Dental health starts early: Even before your baby has teeth, your provider may talk about wiping their gums and fluoride options. Most dentists recommend a first visit by age 1.

• Growth monitoring: From head circumference to weight percentiles, tracking your baby’s physical growth helps ensure they’re on a healthy trajectory. It’s also a chance to spot potential nutritional issues early.

• Feeding and nutrition advice: Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula-feeding, or preparing to introduce solids, your provider can offer personalized guidance that reflects your baby’s needs and your family’s goals.

• Sleep questions welcome: Expect questions about how your baby is sleeping, how often they wake, and whether they’re safe in their sleep space. Even if you feel like you’re doing it “wrong,” you’re not alone, and they’ve heard it all.

• Safety guidance: At every stage, you’ll get tips on what to babyproof, how to use your car seat correctly, and how to keep your child safe as they become more mobile and curious.

Mental health support for parents, too

Pediatric visits are for the whole family. If you’re struggling emotionally, you don’t have to wait for your own checkup to get help.

• Postpartum mental health screenings: Providers may ask about your mood, energy levels, or whether you feel overwhelmed.

• Partnership check-ins: If you and your partner are hitting rough patches or struggling with communication, this is a safe place to ask for referrals to therapists or support groups that specialize in new-parent dynamics.

Creating a preventive care mindset

Preventive care is about using each visit to build a relationship, with your pediatrician, with your child’s health, and with your own evolving role as a parent.

Ask questions. All of them. Even the ones that feel obvious or uncomfortable. These visits are for your baby, but they’re also for you, to get clarity, reassurance, and perspective.

Don’t be afraid to bring up your own needs. Over time, these visits become more than check-ins on development. They become touchpoints in your family’s care network.

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