Well-Child Visits

Overview

It's important for your child to have regularly scheduled checkups, often called well-child visits, beginning shortly after birth and lasting through the teen years.

These appointments allow your doctor to keep a close eye on your child's general health and development. Finding possible problems early gives your child the best chance for proper and successful treatment. Also, any concerns you have about your child can be discussed during these visits.

During these visits, the doctor examines your child and asks you questions about your child's development and behavior. Immunizations also are either given or scheduled at this time.

Your child's doctor will recommend a schedule for well-child visits. One example is for visits at ages:footnote 1

  • 3 to 5 days old.
  • By 1 month.
  • 2 months.
  • 4 months.
  • 6 months.
  • 9 months.
  • 1 year.
  • 15 months.
  • 18 months.
  • 2 years.
  • 30 months.
  • 3 years.

After age 3, well-child visits are usually scheduled yearly through the teen years.

References

Citations

  1. Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics (2020). Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/periodicity_schedule.pdf. Accessed February 27, 2020.

Credits

Current as of: October 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.