What is recommended care for my child?
Routine well child visits are important for the health of your child. These visits are not the same as visits to a doctor when your child is sick. At well child visits, doctors check your child's height, weight, hearing, and vision to see how your child is developing. Your child's doctor will also ask questions about how your child is eating and behaving, and provide important preventive care, such as immunizations (shots to protect against childhood diseases). Well child visits are an opportunity for you to discuss questions and concerns that you may not be able to talk about during your child's sick visits.
When should my child go for a well child visit?
The following is the schedule of well child visits that's recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- 3-5 days
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 2 years
- 2 1/2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
- And once every year until 21
For more information, read this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
What can you do?
Talk to your child's doctor about scheduling well child visits.