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Well-child visits

Definition

Childhood is a time of rapid growth and change. You will have pediatric well-child visits most often when your child is developing the fastest.

Each visit includes a complete physical examination. At this exam, the health care provider will check the infant or young child's growth and development and try to find problems early.

The health care provider will record your child's height, weight, and other important information. Hearing, vision, and other tests will be part of some visits. Preventive care is important to keep children healthy.

Information

Well-child visits are key times for communication. Expect to be given information about normal development, nutrition, sleep, safety, diseases that are "going around," and other important topics.

Make the most of these visits by writing down important questions and concerns to bring with you.

Special attention is paid to whether the child is meeting normal developmental milestones. The height, weight, and head circumference are recorded on a growth chart, which the health care provider keeps with the child's medical record. This can be a great start for a discussion about your child's health.

Ask your doctor about the body mass index (BMI) curve, which is the most important tool for identifying and preventing obesity.

There are several schedules for routine well-child visits. One schedule, recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is given below.

PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE SCHEDULE

A visit with a health care provider before the baby is born is important for first-time parents, those with high-risk pregnancies, and any other parent who wishes to discuss common issues such as feeding, circumcision, and general questions.

After the baby is born, the next visit should be 2-3 days after bringing the baby home (for breast-fed babies) or when the baby is 2-4 days old (for all babies who are released from a hospital before they are 2 days old). For experienced parents, some health care providers will delay the visit until the baby is 1-2 weeks old.

After that, visits should occur at the following ages:

  • By 1 month (although experienced parents can wait until 2 months)
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 9 months
  • 1 year
  • 15 months
  • 18 months
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 8 years
  • 10 years
  • Each year after that until age 21

In addition to these visits, call and visit a health care provider any time your baby or child seems ill or whenever you are worried about your baby's health or development.

RELATED TOPICS

Physical examination:

Immunizations:

Nutrition:

Growth and development:

Preparing a child for an office visit is similar to test and procedure preparation. See:

Review Date: 1/17/2011
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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