Skip to main content
|
Go home
Go home

What to Expect at a Well Child Checkup

Newborn Baby Boy Having A Throat Exam At The Pediatric Clinic

A well-child checkup is a great opportunity to monitor your child’s growth and development, and it's also a chance to establish a trusting relationship with your child’s pediatrician and have your questions answered.

What to Expect at Each Checkup

At every checkup, a comprehensive physical examination will be conducted to assess your child's growth parameters, including height, weight and head circumference. A developmental assessment will evaluate the progress of your infant or young child in achieving age-appropriate milestones, encompassing language skills, motor development, problem-solving abilities and psycho-social skills.

In addition, your pediatrician will address common concerns such as feeding, sleep patterns, oral health and general infant care. Unless there are specific needs or concerns for your baby, routine laboratory tests are typically unnecessary. Your pediatrician will provide guidance on immunization schedules, post-vaccination expectations and when to seek medical attention.

Furthermore, during each visit, you will receive age-specific guidance to help you anticipate your child's expected growth and development, along with essential safety precautions and illness prevention measures. Your pediatrician will discuss various topics, such as placing your baby to sleep on their back, utilizing rear-facing infant car seats until around age two, maintaining home water thermostats below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring dangerous objects and poisonous substances are out of sight and reach, emphasizing dental health and promoting the use of bike helmets, among other things.

Preparing for Your Visit

It is recommended that, as a parent, you write down any questions beforehand, so you don’t forget them in the moment. Most importantly, feel comfortable asking your pediatrician about anything that might seem unusual, as you are the parent, and you know best! Before leaving the pediatrician’s office, be sure that you fully understand any instructions given to you and ask for clarification if needed.

From your child’s birth through young adulthood, you will be visiting your pediatrician regularly. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides what a regular schedule might look like.

Well-Child Checkup Schedule

  • Two to three days after birth and at one month
  • Two months
  • Four months
  • Six months
  • Nine months
  • One year
  • 15 months
  • 18 months
  • 24 months
  • 30 months
  • Three years, and yearly after

Pediatric Appointments

Get expert care and guidance for your child—schedule an appointment with a Renown Health Children’s provider.
Make an Appointment
Renown Pediatrician with a mother and her son.

Related Blogs

Group of students rushing through a school hallway, carrying backpacks and chatting excitedly as they transition between classes

Why the HPV Vaccine Matters for Kids and Teens

As the back-to-school season approaches, ensuring your child is ready for a successful academic year goes beyond school supplies and new clothes. It's also the perfect time to prioritize their health by ensuring they're up-to-date on essential vaccinations, including the HPV vaccine.
Read More Why the HPV Vaccine Matters for Kids and Teens
Studio Portrait Of Boy Dressed As Comic Book Superhero Against Magical Background

Protect Your Child’s Health with Timely Vaccinations

Why are timely vaccinations important? Childhood vaccinations are scheduled and vaccines are administered when young bodies require immediate protection or need to build immunity for diseases and illnesses we may encounter throughout our lives. Delaying recommended vaccinations puts children at higher risk for diseases that can affect them more harshly, like pertussis (whooping cough), which is especially dangerous for babies.
Read More Protect Your Child’s Health with Timely Vaccinations
View All Blogs

Related Events

View All Classes & Events
ER Wait Times

How are wait times calculated?

Our estimated ER wait times reflect the average time from check-in to being seen by a medical professional during triage, where patients are prioritized based on the severity of their condition.