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Child well-being

Child wellness visits (checkups) are key to keeping a child healthy. Talk to your child’s doctor about how often to bring in your child.

Young girl plays outside with a toy airplane

Child wellness visit schedule

Typically, your child’s doctor will ask you to bring in your child for regular wellness visits at birth and when your child is:1

  • 3–5 days old for newborns discharged less than 48 hours after delivery
  • 1 month old
  • 2 months old
  • 4 months old
  • 6 months old
  • 9 months old
  • 12 months old
  • 15 months old
  • 18 months old
  • 24 months old
  • 30 months old
  • Once every year for ages 3–20

These visits help your child’s doctor detect, diagnose, and treat health problems as early as possible. Children older than 24 months through age 20 can have an in-person or virtual care (telehealth) visit, if the doctor offers this service.

Your child’s doctor will work with you to determine when to bring in your child for a well visit.

Well-being visits can include:

  • Dental screenings
  • Growth measurements
  • Immunizations and vaccines
  • Other important tests and services
  • Physical exams
  • Preventive and comprehensive services
  • Referrals for diagnosis and treatment, if necessary
  • Vision and hearing screenings

If your child has a virtual care (telehealth) visit, the doctor will set up a follow-up in-person visit for a physical exam, vaccines, and other important tests and services that cannot be done during a virtual care (telehealth) visit.

Remember to

  • Make and keep appointments with your child’s doctor when your child is well, not just when your child is sick
  • Talk to your child’s doctor about any concerns you have

Source:

  1. “AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits,” American Academy of Pediatrics, last accessed December 7, 2022, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/Pages/Well-Child-Care-A-Check-Up-for-Success.aspx.