Comprehensive Pediatric Stages

North Carolina Pediatric Associates offers comprehensive pediatric care to patients undergoing every developmental stage. From newborns to teenagers, our staff will be with you and your family every step of the way. We also help parents and guardians understand what to expect and prepare them for their child’s most significant needs. North Carolina Pediatric Associates in Henderson, NC, can be reached at 252-492-9565.

Caring for Patients Through Their Ages and Stages

Newborn

Preparing for the arrival of a newborn is one of the most exciting and frightening times of your life. At North Carolina Pediatric Associates, we are here to help you care for your child from birth. During the first few weeks with your newborn, expect to focus on the mother’s recovery, feeding the baby, and establishing daytime and nighttime routines. Every newborn is different, so it will take some time and patience before you can figure out your baby’s likes and dislikes.

Check out our Newborn Booklet for more information.

Infancy

A baby goes through some of the most remarkable transitions and changes during the first year of their life. Over just one year, your baby develops from entirely dependent on someone with interests and curiosity. Your baby will grow very quickly at this stage, and you may be surprised by what they can do.



The first three months may seem the hardest, but the more responsive you are to their needs, the more secure they are likely to feel. During this time, infants become more responsive, gain more control of their muscles, improve their visual coordination, and possibly sleep more extended day and night.

Most infants develop regular eating, sleeping, and playing habits at about four months. Between four and seven months, your baby will reach several motor milestones. It’s essential to understand your child’s temperament and warmly respond to their needs. Nothing is more exciting than your face-to-face interactions with your infant.

Many things occur during the last few months of infancy. Babies will begin sleeping through the night, pull themselves up to stand, attempt to feed themselves, and possibly even take their first steps. They’ll develop a more understandable language and display separation anxiety, a standard, healthy display of their attachment to you. Your infant will explore the world by touching and putting things in their mouth, so it’s important to redirect their attention from items that can be dangerous and harmful.

Your life changes immensely during the first year of your child’s life. North Carolina Pediatric Associates is eager to help you make those first 12 months as comfortable and enjoyable as possible!

Age One

At one year old, your child’s development will begin increasing rapidly. They will call you by name, improve their vocabulary, walk around while holding onto furniture, start climbing, feed themselves, and so much more. Between 12 and 24 months, your toddler will transition from breast milk or formula to regular milk from a bottle or sippy cup. Remember to enjoy and participate in their development. However, we also understand a toddler is not the easiest person to live with – saying “no” is more common than saying “yes,” throwing toys occurs more often than picking them up, and sharing becomes a challenge. Minimize unfavorable behavior by childproofing the environment, keeping a logical daily routine, and doing your best to anticipate when you’re tired, hungry, or not feeling well.

Age Two

Don’t let the “Terrible Twos” worry you. For most toddlers, these months are when they have more control over their language skills and watch your activities intently, with the hopes of helping out in any way they can. Two-year-olds are explorers, and no area of your home is safe. Put forth the extra effort to secure household cleaning products and medications. Of course, terrible behavior is inevitable because children at this age want it both ways and have trouble making up their minds. Despite your challenges, take time to appreciate the little things. Your child's physical, emotional, and intellectual growth in this stage is remarkable, and the year will be over before you know it.

Age Three

Three-year-olds have meaningful social skills, begin to form friendships and become more cooperative. They can better express themselves, ask “why?” all the time, and have vivid imaginations. At this age, your toddler will have much better motor skills, be better at using the potty, and may be ready for a toddler bed. Three-year-olds feed off their environments, so providing positive reinforcement and fueling their curiosity is essential.

Our North Carolina Pediatric Associates staff is happy to discuss any specific concerns you might have about your child’s behavior during the toddler years. Call one of our three locations today!

Preschool Years (3-4)

Preschoolers have greater independence, from using the restroom and picking out their clothes to caring for others. They will also begin forming respect for authority and have a heightened sense of coordination. This is a beautiful stage because they’re enthusiastic, fun, imaginative, and often challenging to keep up with!

Family time is significant to help your child establish their identity at this stage. Meals together are a great start, but your child may hesitate to try new foods. Your preschooler is learning quickly and will pick up new shapes, colors, figures, and objects. They will continually make you proud of how knowledgeable they’re becoming.

Elementary Years (5-11)

Our elementary years contribute to some of our fondest childhood memories, and recalling your time in school is a great way to connect with your child as they begin their educational journey. Five-year-olds are very imaginative and will ask questions about anything and everything. Their logic and problem-solving skills will develop through your child's elementary years. This is also when they may discover a particular learning disability, which must be addressed immediately.

Meaningful life and social skills are developed during the elementary years. Your child’s daily activities become more independent, and any chores they have will teach them responsibility. They will also learn about practice and teamwork through music and sports. Increasing academic and social activities will help your child learn valuable time-management skills.

Each child has a different personality. Some may need more encouragement to get out there and try new things, while others will take more risks and need special attention. North Carolina Pediatric Associates can help you customize your parenting and support you.

Teen Years

The teenage years are a wonderful yet challenging time for parents and teens alike. The physical, mental, and emotional changes can be overwhelming, and North Carolina Pediatric Associates is happy to be by your side during every teenage year. We want to ensure a patient’s transition to adulthood is an exciting and healthy process.