The well-child visit: why go even when your child is not sick
What well-child visits are for, at which ages they happen according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and how to prepare to make the most of them.
Taking your child to the doctor when they are sick is obvious. Taking them when they are perfectly fine can feel unnecessary. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is clear: doctor visits are just as important for healthy children.
What they are for
- Prevention: these visits are when children get the vaccines they are due for, and it is the time to ask about nutrition and safety at home and at school.
- Growth and development: the doctor compares how your child has grown since the last visit and reviews their milestones, how they get along with others and how they learn.
- Your questions: it is the space to talk about development, behavior, sleep, eating or family life.
- A trusting relationship: regular visits build a strong relationship between the doctor, the parents and the child, which supports their physical, mental and social health.
At which ages
The schedule the AAP publishes:
- In the first week: at 3 to 5 days old.
- In the first months: at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months.
- From 2 to 3 years: at 2 years, 2½ years and 3 years.
- After that: once a year, from ages 4 to 21.
The first two years have many visits because that is when children change fastest and when they get most of their vaccines.
How to make the most of the visit
- Make a list before the visit of what you want to talk about.
- Pick your top 3 to 5 questions or concerns and bring them up at the start of the visit, as the AAP recommends.
- Bring your child’s vaccine record, especially if it is your first visit with us.
- Tell us what you see at home: how they sleep, eat, behave and do at school. You know them better than anyone.
How we do it at the clinic
We see patients of all ages, from well-child checkups to older adults, so the whole family can come to one clinic. We give vaccines to children and adults, and the visit happens in English or Spanish, whichever you prefer.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Well-Child Care: A Check-Up for Success.
This article is general information about our clinic and about well-child visits. It is not medical advice and does not replace a consultation with a professional. If your child has a medical emergency, call 911.