Choosing a pediatrician for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. Whether you’re new to the Wake Forest area, switching practices, or welcoming your first baby, finding a healthcare home where your family feels comfortable and confident matters deeply.
At Wake Forest Pediatrics, we understand that a first visit can come with a mix of emotions. Maybe you’re excited to establish care, a little nervous about whether it’s the right fit, or simply wondering what the day will actually look like. We want to take the guesswork out of that first appointment so you can walk in feeling prepared and relaxed.
Here’s everything you need to know about what to expect when your family joins our practice.
Before You Arrive: Getting Started
Your first visit actually begins before you walk through our doors. When you call to schedule your initial appointment or register through our patient portal, our front office team will gather some basic information about your child and your family.
We’ll ask for details like your child’s name, date of birth, and the reason for the visit. We’ll also collect insurance information to verify coverage ahead of time, helping avoid surprises and making your check-in smoother.
To save time on the day of your appointment, we may send you new patient forms to complete in advance. These typically include your child’s medical history, family health history, current medications, allergies, and consent forms. Filling these out at home, where you can take your time and look up any details you’re unsure about, is much easier than rushing through them in the waiting room.
If your child has been seen by another pediatrician or healthcare provider, we strongly encourage you to have those records transferred to us before your visit. This includes immunization records, growth charts, and notes about any ongoing health concerns. Having this information allows us to provide the best possible care from day one. Don’t worry if you can’t get everything transferred in time, though. We can work with what you have and follow up on the rest.
What to Bring to the First Visit
Coming prepared helps your first visit go smoothly. Here’s a helpful checklist of what to bring:
Your child’s insurance card and a photo ID for the parent or guardian. Any completed new patient forms, if you haven’t submitted them online already. Your child’s immunization records, if you have them, and they weren’t transferred electronically. A list of any medications, vitamins, or supplements your child currently takes, including dosages. Information about any allergies your child has, whether to foods, medications, or environmental triggers. A list of questions or concerns you’d like to discuss. It’s easy to forget things in the moment, so writing them down ahead of time really helps.
For babies and young children, you might also want to bring a favorite toy, blanket, or pacifier to provide comfort. Snacks and a bottle or sippy cup can also help keep little ones content while you wait.
Arriving at Our Office
When you arrive, our front desk team will greet you and assist you with check-in. If you have any remaining paperwork, this is when you’ll complete it. We recommend arriving about 15 minutes early for your first visit to allow time for check-in without feeling rushed.
Our waiting area is designed with families in mind. We know that waiting rooms can be stressful with restless children, so we’ve worked to create a welcoming environment. Many families appreciate that we strive to keep wait times reasonable, though we always make sure each child gets the full attention they deserve, which occasionally means appointments run a little behind.
Meeting Our Team
One of the things that sets a great pediatric practice apart is the people. During your first visit, you’ll meet several members of our team.
A medical assistant or nurse will usually be the first to bring you back from the waiting room. They’ll measure your child’s height, weight, and head circumference for babies, and check vital signs like temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure when appropriate. These measurements help us track your child’s growth and development over time.
The nurse will also ask some questions about why you’re visiting and any concerns you have. This helps prepare the provider before they come in.
Then you’ll meet your child’s pediatrician or provider. This is the heart of the visit. Our providers take time to get to know your child and your family, understand your child’s health history, address any concerns you have, and answer your questions thoroughly.
We believe healthcare is a partnership. We want you to feel heard, respected, and involved in every decision about your child’s care.
What Happens During the Examination
The actual examination depends on your child’s age and the reason for the visit, but here’s a general idea of what to expect.
For a well-child visit, the provider will conduct a thorough physical examination. This includes checking your child’s eyes, ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, and reflexes. For babies, we’ll also assess developmental milestones and check for soft spots on the head and hip stability.
We’ll discuss your child’s development, behavior, sleep, nutrition, and any age-appropriate topics. For infants, that might mean feeding and sleep schedules. For school-age children, we might talk about activities, friendships, and school. For teens, we’ll cover topics relevant to their stage of life and may spend some one-on-one time with them to build trust and independence.
If your child is due for vaccines, we’ll discuss which ones are recommended and why. We’re always happy to answer questions about immunizations and address any concerns you might have.
If you’re visiting because your child is sick or has a specific concern, the examination will focus on diagnosing and addressing that issue, while still taking a holistic view of your child’s overall health.
Helping Your Child Feel Comfortable
We know that doctor visits can be intimidating for children, especially if they’ve had uncomfortable experiences in the past or if they’re old enough to anticipate shots. Our team is experienced in helping children feel at ease.
We use age-appropriate language, explain what we’re doing in friendly terms, and try to make the experience as positive as possible. For younger children, distraction techniques, gentle humor, and a calm demeanor go a long way. For older kids and teens, we respect their growing need for privacy and involvement in their own care.
You can help too. Before the visit, talk to your child about what’s going to happen in a reassuring way. Avoid using the doctor as a threat or describing shots in scary terms. Instead, frame the visit as a way to stay healthy and strong. Your calm, positive attitude helps your child feel safe.
Asking Questions and Voicing Concerns
Please never hesitate to ask questions during your visit. No concern is too small, and no question is silly. As parents, you know your child best, and your observations are valuable. Whether you’re wondering about a developmental milestone, a feeding challenge, a behavioral change, or anything else, we want to hear it.
If you have a lot to discuss, it can help to prioritize your most important concerns at the beginning of the visit. That way, we can ensure we address what matters most to you within the time available. If there are additional concerns we can’t fully cover, we can schedule a follow-up.
After the Visit
Before you leave, our team will make sure you understand any next steps. This might include instructions for managing an illness, a prescription if needed, recommendations for follow-up care, or information about when your child’s next visit should be scheduled.
If your child received vaccines, we’ll provide an updated immunization record. We’ll also make sure you know how to reach us if you have questions or concerns after you get home.
Many families find it helpful to know our procedures for after-hours questions, prescription refills, and scheduling future appointments. Don’t hesitate to ask about any of these things during your visit.
Building a Lasting Relationship
That first visit is just the beginning. Over the months and years ahead, we’ll partner with you through every stage of your child’s growth, from the newborn days through the teenage years. We’ll celebrate milestones, navigate illnesses, address concerns, and watch your child grow into a healthy, thriving individual.
The relationship between a family and their pediatrician is built on trust, communication, and consistency. We’re honored that you’re considering us to be part of your child’s healthcare journey, and we’re committed to earning your confidence at every visit.
Our Commitment to Your Family
At Wake Forest Pediatrics, we believe every child deserves compassionate, high-quality care in a welcoming environment. We strive to make each visit, especially the first, a positive experience that leaves you confident in your choice.
We know you have options when it comes to your child’s healthcare, and we don’t take your trust for granted. From the moment you call to schedule until well after you leave our office, our goal is to support your family’s health and well-being with kindness, expertise, and genuine care.
Ready to Get Started?
Welcoming a new family to our practice is one of the things we love most. If you’re ready to establish care for your child or have questions about becoming a patient, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Schedule your child’s first visit with Wake Forest Pediatrics today. Give our office a call or use our online portal to book an appointment, and take the first step toward a trusted healthcare partnership. We can’t wait to meet your family and become part of your child’s health journey. Reach out today, and let’s get started together.
