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 healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider for the following:
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 healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider 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