Summer wellness check: is your child up to date?
Summer has arrived here in Orange County. That means sunny days, beach outings, backyard barbecues, and exciting family travels. Amidst the flurry of planning vacations and packing beach bags, there’s one essential item that often gets left off the summer to-do list: the annual well-child exam.
While the start of a new school year or fall sports season might feel far away, summer is actually the absolute ideal time to bring your child in for their pediatric wellness visit. Here is why booking an appointment with Ocean Pediatrics during the summer months is a game-changer — and what you need to look out for to make sure your child is healthy, happy, and fully up to date.
Got travel plans? Check if their vaccinations are up to date.
If your family has a trip on the calendar (especially if you’re heading abroad) it’s worth checking in on your child’s immunizations a few weeks ahead of departure. Some destinations call for additional protection beyond the standard childhood schedule, and timing matters: certain vaccines need a few weeks to take full effect before you travel.
We cover travel vaccinations for kids in more depth on our blog. Read our guide for a breakdown of what’s commonly recommended and how far ahead to plan.
Read Our Guide on Kid’s Travel Vaccinations
Your Ocean Pediatrics provider can walk through what makes sense for your child’s age, health history, and itinerary. There’s no need to guess; a quick call or visit before you book (or right after) is the easiest way to travel with one less thing on your mind.
Summer is time for the checkups families tend to forget
Well-child exams and vaccines tend to get the spotlight, but summer is a great time to fold in a few other pediatric check-ups too, especially since appointment slots are often easier to come by than they are in September. Be sure to visit our office for routine head-to-toe checks including:
Vision screening
Struggling to see the board is one of the most common (and most fixable) reasons a child falls behind in school without anyone realizing why. We can do a quick vision test and refer your family to an optometrist if more thorough testing is needed.
Hearing checks
One of the most overlooked checks, hearing tests are especially relevant for younger children and any child who has had frequent ear infections. We can do a routine hearing screening in our office and refer your family to a specialist should the need arise.
Allergy and asthma check-ins
Summer’s mix of pollen, pool time, and outdoor play is a good real-world test of whether a current plan is still working, or needs an update before school starts. If your child has any allergy-like symptoms, don’t hesitate to let us know. We can perform an initial allergy screening and send your child to a specialist for a complete evaluation if needed.
Sports physicals
If your child plays a fall sport, most schools require a physical dated within the last 12 months. Getting it done in summer means one less form to chase down later. This is one of our most sought-after offerings, so don’t hesitate to book an appointment for a sports physical in Orange County at Ocean Pediatrics!
Dental check-ups
Before the school year fills your family’s schedule back up, be sure not to skip a dental check and routine cleaning. While this is not something we offer in our office, we are happy to refer our patients’ families to our pediatric dental partners in Orange County.
None of these checks need to happen all in one visit, and not every child needs every check every year. Talk to your provider to sort out which of these exams are important for your child’s age and medical history.
A little planning now saves a scramble in August
Every OC parent knows what late August looks like: school forms due, appointment slots gone, and a waitlist for the one opening left. Getting ahead of it means your child’s records, vaccines, and school paperwork are already squared away when the first day rolls around — no scrambling required.
If it’s been a while since your child’s last pediatric wellness visit, or you’re not sure what your little one is due for, ask our team! Give us a call at (949) 432-9400 or request a visit at one of our Orange County locations. We’ll give your child the care they need this summer, and you the peace of mind you deserve.
