Well-Care Visits
Detailed information on well-care visits for children, including when they should be scheduled.
What is a well-care visit?
It's important to take your child to the doctor when your child is ill. Or when your child needs an exam to take part in a sport. But routine well-care visits are also advised.
Well-care, well-baby, or well-child visits are routine visits to your child's doctor for:
Physical exam.
Mental health screening.
Immunization updates.
Tracking growth and development.
Finding any problems before they become serious.
Providing information on health and safety issues.
Providing information on nutrition and physical fitness.
Providing information on how to manage emergencies and illnesses.
Your child's doctor can also provide guidance on other issues, such as:
Behavioral problems.
Learning problems.
Emotional problems.
Family problems.
Socialization problems.
Puberty and concerns about the teen years.
When should well-care visits be scheduled?
Your child's doctor will give you a schedule of ages when a well-care visit is suggested. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises well-care visits at the following ages:
Before a newborn is discharged from the hospital, or at 48 to 72 hours of age
3 to 5 days
2 to 4 weeks
2 months
4 months
6 months
9 months
12 months
15 months
18 months
24 months
30 months
Each year, from 3 to 21 years