New parents are often vigilant about bringing their babies in for pediatric checkups. These visits often provide reassurance that their children are healthy and developing normally.
But as years go by and parents become more confident in their children’s robustness, well-child visits tend to taper off. Families get too busy to keep up with yearly checkups, and they wind up seeking care only when their children are sick. By neglecting these annual visits, however, they’re missing out on the opportunity for crucial preventive care.