Why regular well-child checkups matter
From their earliest days to their teenage years, children rely on you to help them grow strong and healthy. Well-child checkups ensure you have the support and guidance you need along the way.
That’s why it’s important to go to well-child checkups regularly. They give you a chance to work with your child’s doctor who understands your child’s changing needs. And they can help you make confident decisions about their health and wellness.
Benefits of a well-child checkup
Prevention
Well‑child visits include recommended vaccines to protect your child from illness. You can also talk with your child’s doctor about nutrition, safety and healthy routines at home and school.
Growth and development
Each visit is a chance to check how your child is growing. It’s also a time to discuss milestones, learning and social behavior with the doctor.
Questions and concerns
Before the visit, note any concerns about sleep, behavior, eating, growth or your family’s daily life. Bring your top three to five questions so you can ask them early in the visit.
Teamwork
Regular visits help build a strong partnership between you, your child and your child’s doctor. These visits support your child’s physical, emotional and social health.
What to expect during a well-child checkup
During a checkup, your child’s doctor will:
- Do a complete physical exam — from head to toe
- Check your child’s growth (height and weight) and overall development
- Check your child’s vision, hearing and teeth
- Give shots as needed
- Order lab work, like blood tests, as needed
- Find any health problems before they become serious
- Talk about other wellness topics such as family relationship issues, school and access to community services
- Answer any questions that you might have
- Get to know your child so they can take better care of them
When to go to a well-child checkup
You should bring your child to their checkups on a regular basis, even if they aren’t sick. To make it easier to know when your child is due for a visit, follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended schedule of well‑child visits. Each visit is timed to key milestones so your child gets the right care at the right moment. Use the age guide below to know when it’s time for your child’s next well‑child visit:*
Infancy
3 to 5 days old
1 month old
2 months old
4 months old
6 months old
9 months old
Early childhood
12 months old
15 months old
18 months old
2 years old (24 months)
2 1/2 years old (30 months)
3 years old
4 years old
Middle childhood
5 to 10 years (once a year)
Adolescence
11 to 21 years (once a year)
When to seek care right away
Between regular well‑child visits, watch for any symptoms that may signal a more serious problem. Get medical care for your child right away if they have:
Ongoing trouble sleeping
Behavior that’s unusual or concerning
A very high fever
A rash or skin infection that’s spreading or getting worse
Frequent or repeated sore throats
Any trouble breathing
A sudden or significant change in weight
Recommended childhood vaccines
The right vaccinations help protect your child from serious illnesses like whooping cough and measles. Your child can get these shots during their regular well‑child checkup. Your child gets vaccines at key ages — from infancy through adolescence — to stay protected. Early visits cover a series of important vaccines during the first two years. After that, boosters and age‑specific shots help keep them protected.
If you’re unsure which vaccines your child needs next, call your child’s doctor. You can also review the recommended vaccine schedule by age at Healthychildren.org.
Take the next step: Schedule your child’s next well‑child checkup today to make sure they’re up to date and protected.
Learn more about well-child checkups
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health groups offer info about well-child checkups online. Just search for “well-child checkups” on the website.
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