Three Year Well Visit
Your child is growing taller but the weight is only going
up 1 lb. per year of age (3 year old gains 3 lb., the 5 yr old gains 5 lbs,
etc.). That means they eat very little. Like we said in previous visits, the
parent should put a balanced diet in front of the child and the child will eat
enough food for them. If they do not gain enough weight, then it is the
doctor’s job to test them to see what is wrong. It is not the parent’s job to
make them eat. Do not fight the dinner table. Get a balanced diet in them the
best you can, give them 12 oz of milk or more, and a chewable vitamin with
zinc, and they will grow up normal.
They should be talking well but miss pronounce
words till 4 years old. Also do not be alarmed about stuttering at this age
and it should be gone by 4 yr. also. Keep reading books to them and more
sophisticated ones. Read 10 yr. old books to them with words they do not
understand but will learn. Work on the recognition of the letters so they
know their letters. Learning the alphabet song is not helpful in
reading. Learn the letters on sight.
Many are going to the potty now but some may not go on
it till 4 years old. Keep working on the positive incentive and they will
eventually go on it. The night is totally different and may not be dry till
grade school or Jr. High. See related topics in the medical section of the web
page. The girls may frequently complain of burning when they urinate because
of irritation to the vaginal area because they do not keep it clean. This will
be very occasional and if it becomes several times a day and accidents start
occurring, then see the doctor. If they rarely complain of burning, then work
to keep the labia less irritated. Do not use bubble bath for either girls or
boys and use a non drying soap like unscented Dove soap. Put a little Vaseline
in the vaginal area after the bath so it does not get irritated.
The temper tantrums should be decreasing this year as
long as you do not reward them. Do not punish them but do not give in to them.
Be consistent and keep the rules the same.
Enjoy this year because they are so cute and say cute
things now. No vaccination shots now but there will be more at 4 years old.
Dr. Knapp
