Why Yearly Well Visits Are Essential for Your Child’s Health

Many parents wonder if their child really needs a check-up every single year, especially if they rarely get sick.

The truth is, annual well visits are about so much more than treating illness—they are about preventing problems before they start. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and West Orlando Pediatrics strongly recommend yearly well visits for children of all ages. These visits provide a consistent opportunity to monitor your child’s growth, development, and overall well-being in a way that urgent visits or sick visits cannot.

At a well visit, we look at the “big picture.” That includes tracking height and weight, as well as reviewing developmental milestones, school performance, and social-emotional growth. We also check vision, hearing, and blood pressure, while ensuring immunizations are up to date. Sometimes even small changes—like a dip on a growth chart or subtle behavioral struggles—can be the first clue to something that deserves attention. Detecting concerns early allows families to intervene before they become bigger challenges.

Preventive care is another cornerstone of the well visit. These appointments give families the chance to talk about nutrition, sleep, screen time, mental health, and physical activity. They’re also a time to discuss new stages of development—whether that’s toilet training in toddlers, friendships and school readiness in early grade school, or puberty and independence in adolescents and young adults (we see "kids" through age 26!). Each year brings new milestones and new questions, and a well visit ensures your child has guidance through every stage.

For older kids, teens, and young adults, these visits can be especially meaningful. They provide a safe space for your child to voice questions or concerns privately, building trust with their doctor while learning to take more ownership of their health. This helps set the stage for healthy habits and responsible decision-making well into adulthood.

If you reside in Winter Garden, Ocoee, or Clermont (or really anywhere in the greater Orange and Lake counties), consider West Orlando Pediatrics as an accessible partner for your child's wellbeing. Parents know their child best, and Dr O'Brien's role is to support that knowledge with medical expertise and guidance. Think of us as part of your child’s “team,” ensuring that every child has the best chance to grow, develop, and thrive. By making annual well visits a priority, you’re giving your child the gift of consistent, preventive care that pays off for a lifetime.