Routine health check-up: at 9 months

As a part of the routine health check-up, in addition to the usual check of your child's growth and health condition, a more comprehensive assessment of the child’s development will be undertaken in this visit. Schedule your next visit to the doctor!

Your child has made significant progress and mastered many abilities. S/he is probably already sitting on his or her own, examining toys in various ways, eating with the help of his/her fingers, enjoying imitating adults in the game, using objects in the right way, etc. You are your child's headteacher and it is important to be a positive example to him or her. 

Preparing for the visit 

  • In addition to the usual things, you will bring; your child's favourite toy or picture book, a covered glass with clean water and written questions for the pediatrician. 

Contents of the preventive visit 

  • You will be asked by a pediatric nurse or a doctor to complete a development assessment questionnaire, which looks at how your child is progressing in speech, physical ability, social and problem-solving skills. It helps to discover special talents in your child, but also areas in which he may need additional support.  

  • Growth monitoring: The usual measurements of body weight, body length and head circumference and values will be recorded and entered into the growth charts. 

  • Introductory interview and counseling: Non-dairy nutrition is still a topic that arises, what foods you can give your child and what to avoid, how many meals to give. You might also discuss child's behavior and how to stimulate desirable behavior: pointing out what is good and what is not, setting boundaries, pointing out the consequences, listening to the child and paying the necessary attention, praise for a job well done, discouraging  bad behavior, etc. It is important that all family members follow the same rules. It is might be also a good time to find out and discuss separation anxiety.  Vitamin D and iron supplements should be continued. You may also instructed regarding good ways to keep proper mouth hygiene. 

  • Medical examination and developmental assessment: The doctor will perform a regular clinical examination of the child and along the way you can check together some of his abilities that you were not sure about when filling out the questionnaire. 

  • Healthy life style: Continuing efforts regarding prevention of exposure to tobacco smoke, prevention of early media exposure, Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle especially bottle containing formula or sweetened beverage, safe exposure to sunlight and how to transport your baby safely in car

  • Other issues

Vaccination 

  • Vaccination is not planned at this age, unless your child has missed one of the previously scheduled regular vaccinations.  

Final opinion 

  • Based on the check-up, observation of the child's behavior and the results obtained on the developmental assessment , the doctor or the nurse will share with you a comprehensive opinion on the growth, development and health of your child.  

  • If there is a need for a more detailed assessment of development, the child will be referred to another specialist or health associate. 

  • You may also receive some written material this time as well and it will give you information about the time of your next visit. 

Remember that you are the main teacher of your child and you need support and professional help to better fulfill your parental role. Think of being a positive example to your child.