The number one goal of parents is to make sure their little ones are healthy and have the best quality of life possible. Of course, this means having a pediatrician in which you can always turn, whether for preventive care or treatment when health problems arise. You want a pediatrician you can trust to always provide quality and individualized care for your little one time and time again.

Of course, why treat a health issue that could easily have been prevented in the first place, right? The best way to detect problems early on and to also protect your child from a variety of potentially serious health issues is by bringing them in to visit their pediatrician regularly. These checkups will occur frequently, particularly for the first few years of your little one’s life. This is because your child is reaching a lot of developmental milestones during these first few years and it’s important that you have a children’s doctor that can make sure that they are reaching these milestones.

Plus, these checkups are also important for parents, too. After all, we know that parents have a lot of questions regarding everything from their child’s nutrition to activity levels to vaccinations. While these checkups are most certainly about making sure your child is leading a healthy life it’s also important that you have all of your questions and concerns answered to promote that healthy lifestyle in your child. Make sure to write down any questions ahead of time so that you will have all of your questions addressed during your child’s next visit.

These checkups are crucial for preventing a variety of health problems and also making sure your little one gets the care and treatment they need should an issue arise. During these wellness checkups your pediatrician will monitor your child’s:

• Height and weight
• Heart rate and blood pressure
• Vision and hearing
• Reflexes and musculoskeletal system
• Lungs and heart

Your child will also have to get a series of immunizations throughout their childhood to protect against serious and potentially life-threatening health problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has created a comprehensive vaccination schedule to make sure your child is getting all the immunizations they need.

Once your child is born it’s important that you bring them in regularly to see their doctor for checkups. After all, preventive medical care is the best way to stave off certain illnesses and injuries. Plus, these checkups also ensure that if there is a health problem present that it’s detected right away when it’s much easier to treat.

It’s important to find a pediatrician that puts your child’s health first.

Nothing is more important than the health of your child. You want to stop every sniffle and kiss every boo-boo; however, it can feel particularly daunting when it’s time to decide which pediatrician will handle your child’s general health. Our pediatricians--Dr. Karen Beckman, M.D & Dr. Alejandro Mones --at Riverside Pediatrics, LLC. in Greenwich and Cos Cob, CT understand how much trust you put in us to make sure your child gets the best care he or she needs. So, while you’re doing your research, here are some things to consider before choosing your pediatrician:

1. Proximity: Is the pediatrician’s office close to your home? This can be particularly important if your child comes down with a sudden illness. The sooner you can get your child in to see the pediatrician the faster we can treat the problem. While distance shouldn’t be the main factor, it’s certainly something to consider if you’re making frequent trips to and from the doctor’s office.

2. Insurance: Is your pediatrician on your health insurance list? While provider lists often change, it’s important to make sure your child’s medical needs with be covered by your insurance. We take a variety of different insurance programs, so feel free to call us. However, also look for us on your insurance company’s provider list.

3. Availability: Is your doctor available most days of the week? Are there after-hours services and same-day appointments for emergencies? Our offices in Greenwich and Cos Cob, CT are open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; however, we also offer an after-hours service in which a very experienced, highly-regarded pediatrician will be available to talk to you any time until 8 p.m. on weekdays--except Fridays--and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on weekends and holidays. We want to make sure you get the answers you need to your child’s urgent health problems.

4. Rapport: The first face-to-face interaction between a pediatrician and a new patient is the most important. You want to feel comfortable addressing concerns and asking questions. You also want to feel like your Greenwich and Cos Cob, CT pediatrician is listening, understanding and isn’t rushing you through your visit. After all, this pediatrician could be handling your child’s medical needs for the next 18 years!

 If you’re interested in scheduling your child’s first appointment with us, call our office right away. We’re so happy you’ve chosen Riverside Pediatrics, LLC. in Greenwich and Cos Cob, CT to take care of your child’s health.