Well-Care Visits

What is a well-care visit?

In addition to taking your child to the physician when your child is ill, or needs an examination to participate in a particular activity, routine well-care visits are recommended.

Well-care, well-baby, or well-child visits are routine visits to the child's physician for the following reasons:

• Physical examinations

• Immunization updates

• Tracking growth and development

• Finding any problems before they become serious

• Information on health and safety issues

• Information on nutrition and physical fitness

• Information on how to manage emergencies and illnesses

Your child's physician can also provide guidance on other issues, such as the following:

• Behavioral problems

• Learning problems

• Emotional problems

• Family problems

• Socialization problems

• Puberty and concerns about teenage years

When should well-care visits be scheduled?

Your child's physician will give you a schedule of ages when a well-care visit is suggested. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends this schedule for routine well-care visits at the following ages:

• Before 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

• 2 years

• 3 years

• 4 years

• 5 years

• Annually, between ages of 6 and 21 years