Well-Child Visits

What are well-child visits?

Well-child visits are routine checkups. These checkups provide the best chance for your child’s doctor to see the progress of your child’s growth and development. Also, well-child visits are a good time for parents to ask questions and raise concerns about a child’s:

  • Development
  • Behavior
  • Nutrition
  • Overall well-being

Consulta de atención para niños saludables – En Español

Male doctor treating boy with mother

What to expect during a well-child visit

During a well-child visit, your child’s doctor will likely:

  • Do a health history and physical exam.
  • Give the child any needed shots (vaccinations) and complete any recommended screenings.
  • Check your child’s weight, length or height depending on their age, and head circumference.
  • Provide guidance and education about nutrition and feeding.
  • Ask if they are meeting developmental milestones.
  • Ask questions about your child’s activity and how they play.
  • Discuss:
    • Routine care
    • Child safety
    • Harm prevention
  • Talk about:
    • Illness prevention
    • What to do if your child gets sick
    • How to handle home emergencies
  • Ask if you need any additional support or resources.

Male doctor treating girl patient

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Your child’s doctor will offer you expert advice on how to best care for your child.

Suggested questions to ask your doctor at the well-child visit.


Don’t forget, the well-child visit is your best chance to ask questions and get answers. You should voice any concerns you may have about your child’s growth and mental progress and be sure to talk to your doctor if your child is not meeting one or more milestones. Or, if you notice that your child had skills and lost them.

 

Recommended doctor's visits

You should visit a doctor for a well-child checkup and vaccines, if due. The American Academy of Pediatrics – Bright Futures has a suggested schedule of doctor visits for children starting soon after they’re born. The schedule recommends these times:

  • The first week visit (3 to 5 days old)
  • 1 month old
  • 2 months old
  • 4 months old
  • 6 months old
  • 9 months old
  • 12 months old
  • 15 months old
  • 18 months old
  • 2 years old (24 months)
  • 2 ½ years old (30 months)

Why does my child need to get vaccinated?

Make sure your child receives their scheduled shots! It’s the best way to help protect them from serious diseases that can spread easily. If you’re not sure what shots your child needs, call your doctor’s office and ask. Also, talk to your doctor if you have questions about the vaccines. They will provide you with guidance and advice.

It’s important for you to work with the doctor or nurse to make sure your child gets their shots. Or, that they get caught up on any missed well-child visits, screenings and vaccines. Refer to the Center for Disease Control schedule below for suggested vaccines.


Female doctor with girl and father

Recommended childhood vaccine schedule

Recommended Childhood Vaccine Schedule

COVID-19 vaccine is also suggested for children ages 6 months and older.

What you should you do before and after the well-child visit1

Before the visit

Make sure you find and bring your child’s vaccine record to your appointment. The record helps the doctor know what shots your child needs. Be ready to support your child. Bring items like their favorite toy or blanket to comfort them. If the child is old enough you can talk to them and explain that they may feel a sting or pinch with a shot, but it won’t last long.

After the visit

Once your child has received a shot it is important to hold and cuddle them so they know all will be okay. After the shot, they may have:

  • A little pain where the shot was given
  • An injection rash
  • A fever

These are normal symptoms and will go away soon. Talk to your doctor about how to best help your child feel better.

How often should my child have a well-child visit?

Toddlers, children and teens, 3–17 years old should visit their doctor once a year even if they are not sick. These important yearly wellness checkups are a great time to get a snapshot of their complete health. This is also the time to talk to their doctor about how to best keep them healthy. You can talk about their:

  • Eating habits
  • Exercise routine
  • Mood
  • Behavior
  • TV or computer screen time
  • School problems including stress and bullying


At the appointment, the doctor will:

  • Make sure health screenings and vaccines are up to date
  • Check the growth and mental health of your child
  • Discuss plans to keep your child safe and healthy

It's important to choose the right doctor to meet you and your family’s health care needs. With ProviderSearch, you can find an in-network doctor who speaks to you in the language you prefer. Also, you can find a doctor who is open after business hours and/or weekends if your doctor’s office is closed.


Female doctor with girl patient

Get more information for you and your family about:

  • Health screenings
  • Vaccines
  • Behavioral health
  • Weight loss and obesity
  • Nutrition and exercise
  • Drug and alcohol use and more

CalHOPE mental health support

CalHOPE is a groundbreaking new program that provides young people and families across California mental health support that is:

  • Free
  • Safe
  • Private

The program can offer help with disaster recovery and crisis counseling. It can also connect you with links to great resources.

CalHOPE includes two easy-to-use mobile apps:

BrightLife Kids: For kids ages 0 to 12. Get free, expert coaching for:

  • Sleep issues
  • Worry
  • Social skills and more

Soluna: Provides private support for people ages 13 to 25. For more information or to chat live visit CalHOPE. Or, call 833-317-4673 (TTY: 711).

Telehealth - Female doctor with laptop

Find programs and social services in your area

Health Net Community Connect is a free online search service that helps you search and connect to services like:

  • Financial help
  • Food pantries
  • Other no-cost or reduced-cost services

Other Resources

Also, you can find many helpful resources to track milestones in multiple languages with Tools for Tracking Milestones

1 CDC: Vaccines for Your Children