What health checks does my child need?

Keeping up with your child’s health checks can help ensure they have the best start in life. By taking a proactive approach to their wellbeing, you can reduce the possibility of more serious health issues as they grow older, while instilling positive habits from a young age.

Your doctor can guide you through these habits along with facilitating regular check-ups and vaccinations.

We want to make it easy for you to proactively look after the health of your children. So, here’s a checklist of what to talk to your doctor about at your child’s next check up:

• Vaccinations
• Height and weight
• Emotional wellbeing
• Bowel health
• Skin health

Is your child up to date with these regular health checks?

• Dental check
• Hearing checks
• Eye checks

Why are these health checks important for growing children?

Dental checks – it’s important to keep up with your child’s dental checks, and it’s suggested that they should have their first by the time they turn two. Dental checks help identify the early signs of tooth decay and treat problems before they become more serious. They also give you a chance to ask the dentist any questions or express concerns about your child’s oral health, while giving your child the chance to become familiar with the process of visiting the dentist and meeting the staff – let’s avoid a phobia of the dentist!

When you’re at the check-up, ask your dental practitioner to complete a ‘lift the lip’, teeth and gum check. If you’re wondering how often to get a dental check-up, they will advise you on how frequently to monitor your child’s oral health.

Hearing checks – Hearing is a super important part of a child’s communication and development, so make sure you talk to your doctor about a hearing check in the early years. Ear infections can be common in young children as well, so if they’re experiencing pain in their ears, it may prompt you to book an appointment with your doctor. In New Zealand, a hearing screening is included in the B4 School Check (a free nationwide programme which tests children for a range of issues before starting school), but don’t wait until then if you notice your child is having issues.

Eye checks – Spotting a vision problem as early as possible is really important for children’s learning and development. In New Zealand, babies are screened for several serious eye conditions at birth, and a vision screening before starting school as part of the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme. When they reach 11 or 12 they’ll receive another eye check at school to make sure their distance vision is all in order. But make sure you talk to your doctor or optometrist if you have any other concerns related to your child’s eye health.

Vaccinations – Vaccinations are a vital way to build up immunity to prevent your child from becoming unwell. But it doesn’t only protect them, it also protects you, your family, and your community by avoiding the spread of serious (preventable) illnesses. Check out the National Immunisation Schedule to see the free vaccinations available for you and your child – including during pregnancy, six-weeks old, three-months old and beyond. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.

Height and weight – Growth is an important measure of your child’s health and wellbeing. Use your Well Child Tamariki Ora My Health Book to monitor your child’s development and keep track of their height and weight. Your doctor typically measures this at your regular check-ups as well, so you can discuss any concerns or need for intervention.

Emotional wellbeing – At your next check-up, talk to your doctor about your child’s behaviour and developmental milestones to make sure that their emotional wellbeing is on track. In New Zealand, the B4 School Check screens for behavioural and social issues as well as physical health, and provides a chance to connect families to support services if any issues are identified.

Bowel health – Healthy bowel movements are an important part of your child’s wellbeing, and instilling positive habits when they’re young will benefit them as they grow. Talk to your medical practitioner if your child has discomfort or irregular bowel movements such as constipation and diarrhoea – these can provide a lot of insight into their bowel and gut health.

Skin – From eczema to warts and lesions, it’s important to keep an eye on your little one’s skin health. Although melanoma and more serious skin conditions are more rare in children, catching any warning signs early can greatly improve outcomes if they develop later in life. Make sure you talk to your doctor about any skin concerns and get a better understanding of your child’s risk of developing a condition. They can advise on how often to come and see them for a skin check depending on the situation.

For a full list of the health checks you and your family should be keeping up with at every stage of life, check out the nib Warrant of Wellness.

This is all part of maintaining balance in your lives, so your health can thrive for years to come. Our health tool, nib Balance via the my nib app, gives our members an overall view of their health (including a gauge of their physical health) and provides expert programmes and advice to get them back on track.

Learn more about nib Balance here.