As a first-time parent, you might be unsure of what milestones your child should meet. You might wonder if your child is delayed or meeting important milestones like talking and walking on time. 

You do not want to hinge your child's future on your own instincts or the advice of friends and relatives. Instead, you can keep track of your child's progress by enlisting the help of a pediatrician who monitors child development.

Regular Checkups

The pediatrician you take your child to can ensure your child's development is on track through regular medical checkups. This provider may require you to bring your child to the clinic every few months during the child's first year of life. These frequent checkups can ensure your baby is meeting milestones like sitting up, standing, and eating solids on time.

The checkups also ensure your baby behaves according to their age. For example, your pediatrician may ensure your baby can respond to your voice or follow a favorite toy with their eyes by a certain age.

Detection of Delays

The regular checkups for your child can also ensure any delays in milestones are detected and diagnosed early. For example, if your child does not sit up or walk by a certain age, they may need additional testing and monitoring to find out what is behind the delay. You can find out for sure if the delay is significant enough to worry about or if it will resolve on its own.

Your pediatrician may refer your child to a specialist if the delay is deemed serious enough. Your child can undergo early intervention services that may help get them caught up with milestones and ensure they can walk, talk, and otherwise function normally for their age.

Allaying Worries

Finally, the child development pediatrician you take your child to can allay your own worries. As a first-time parent, you might worry excessively about how well your child is faring. You may fear you are doing something wrong or your child is at risk in your care. Your pediatrician can provide you with the information and assurance you need as a parent.

It can be vital for you, as a first-time parent, to monitor the child development of your baby. You can enlist the services of a pediatrician who can ensure your child is meeting milestones on time and refer you to specialists as needed to diagnose and treat developmental delays.

Contact a local child development doctor to learn more.