Well-child visits

A child should have regularly scheduled checkups, often called well-child visits, beginning shortly after birth. During these visits, a 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.

Well-child visits usually are scheduled for your child at the following ages: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 scheduled yearly through the teen years.

These appointments allow your doctor to keep a close eye on your child's general health and development. Finding out 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.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that developmental testing occur at ages 9 months, 18 months, and 30 months, with specific checks for autism at ages 18 months and 24 months.

Citations

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2008). Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care. In Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd ed., p. 591. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. Also available online: http://practice.aap.org/content.aspx?aid=1599&nodeID=4003.