Well Child Checkup

What Happens During a Well-Child Visit?

During a well-child visit, your doctor will:

• perform a physical exam
• give the child any necessary shots (immunizations or vaccinations)
• track how your child is growing and developing
• talk about illness prevention, diet and physical fitness, and health and safety issues
• talk about how to handle emergencies and sudden illness

A well-child visit is a great opportunity to bring up any questions or worries you might have regarding your child’s growth and development. Your pediatrician is there for your needs and can give you valuable advice on how to promote your child’s learning and development.

Are Vaccines Safe?

Vaccinations are a safe and important part of your sustaining your child’s health and wellness and they are usually routine during a child’s well-child visit. There has been some worry that vaccines can lead to developmental disorders, but researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have done numerous studies on vaccine use and development disorders, and they have never found a link between the two.

How do I know if my child is developing normally?

Well-child checkups are a great way to observe your child’s growth patterns. Your child’s doctor will look at your child’s growth and development at each well-child visit. This includes measuring your child’s weight and height and specific milestones, such as:

• At 6 Months Old – The child should respond to his or her own name, roll over, and have good hand-eye coordination.
• At 1 Year Old – The child should be able to take a few steps and say simple words, such as “da-da” or “ma-ma.”
• At 2 Years Old – The child should be able to say two- to four-word phrases, be more active, and show signs of being ready for potty training.
• At 4 Years Old – The child should be social with other children, print some letters and numbers, and have good language skills.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a recommended schedule of visits for children starting soon after they are born. You should visit a doctor for a well-child checkup:

• at 3 to 5 days after birth
• at 1 month old
• at 2 months old
• at 4 months old
• at 6 months old
• at 9 months old
• at 12 months old
• at 15 months old
• at 18 months old
• at 24 months old
• at 30 months old
• at 3 years old
• at 4 years old

After age 4, a well-child visit should take place every year. These visits will include a physical exam and a developmental, behavioral, and learning assessment.