This article is for general guidance based on AAP recommendations and does not replace medical advice. Your paediatrician may follow a slightly different schedule depending on your baby's individual health needs.

The well-baby visit schedule from birth to 18 months

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following schedule of well-child visits in the first 18 months:

• 3–5 days after birth — Newborn check (weight regain, jaundice, feeding assessment, newborn screen results)
• 1 month — Growth, feeding, social smile check, parent wellbeing
• 2 months — First vaccines (DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV15/20, rotavirus, hepatitis B 2nd dose)
• 4 months — Second round of vaccines (DTaP 2nd, Hib 2nd, IPV 2nd, PCV 2nd, rotavirus 2nd)
• 6 months — Third round of vaccines + influenza vaccine (seasonal). Solids readiness discussion.
• 9 months — No vaccines typically due. Developmental and hearing screening. Finger food and sleep discussion.
• 12 months — MMR 1st, varicella 1st, hepatitis A 1st, Hib 3rd/4th. Lead and anaemia screening. Walking, words assessment.
• 15 months — DTaP 4th, IPV 3rd (or later), PCV booster. M-CHAT autism screen.
• 18 months — Hepatitis A 2nd, influenza booster. Formal developmental screening (ASQ). Toddler nutrition and safety discussion.

Missing visits means missing vaccines at the optimal age and developmental screenings at the windows when they are most sensitive. If you miss a visit, call your paediatrician to catch up as soon as possible.

What is measured and checked at every visit

At each well-baby appointment, the following measurements are taken and plotted on a growth chart:

• Weight — the most sensitive indicator of adequate feeding in young infants. Babies should regain birth weight by 10–14 days and roughly double it by 5 months.
• Length/height — tracked longitudinally to identify growth trends. Height is measured lying down until age 2.
• Head circumference — plotted on a head circumference-for-age chart. Abnormally fast or slow head growth can indicate conditions requiring investigation.
• Physical examination — eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, abdomen, hips, genitalia, skin, reflexes and fontanelle (soft spot) are examined at every visit.
• Developmental surveillance — your paediatrician asks about and observes developmental milestones appropriate to the age.

The Complete Well-Baby Visit Schedule

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Bright Futures 4th edition recommends the following well-child visit schedule from birth through 3 years. Most insurance plans cover all recommended preventive visits at 100% with no copay under the Affordable Care Act.

Visit	Key Focus	Vaccines Due
3–5 days (1 week)	Weight check after birth; jaundice assessment; breastfeeding support; newborn screening results	Confirm HepB (1st dose) given
2–4 weeks	Weight gain on track; feeding assessment; parental adjustment; EPDS screen for postpartum depression	None typically
1 month	Growth; social smile emerging; EPDS; safe sleep review; car seat check	HepB (2nd dose, if not at 1–2 months)
2 months	Growth; developmental surveillance; EPDS final screen; head control; immunizations	DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV, RV, HepB (if not given)
4 months	Growth; rolling; social engagement; sleep patterns; introducing tummy time	DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV, RV
6 months	Growth; sitting with support; solid food readiness; first dental referral; fluoride varnish	DTaP, PCV, RV (final), HepB (3rd), Influenza
9 months	Crawling or mobility; pincer grip; ASQ developmental screen; blood lead screening if at risk; anemia screen	Influenza (2nd dose if first-time recipient)
12 months	First birthday growth review; walking; first words; finger foods; transition from bottle; lead screening	MMR, Varicella, HepA (1st), Hib (final), PCV (final)
15 months	Language development; symbolic play; behavior guidance; dental health	DTaP (4th dose)
18 months	M-CHAT autism screen; vocabulary growth; walking skills; limit-setting; EPDS if indicated	HepA (2nd dose)
24 months	M-CHAT follow-up; two-word phrases; running; dental caries risk; lead screen; catch-up vaccines	Any catch-up; Influenza annual
30 months	Three-word sentences; preschool readiness; social play; developmental screen (ASQ)	None typically
36 months	Full developmental review; school readiness; vision and hearing screen; blood pressure; BMI	Influenza annual

Source: AAP Bright Futures 4th Edition (2017, updated guidelines 2023). Your pediatrician may adjust the schedule for premature babies or specific health needs.

What Happens at Every Well-Baby Visit

Regardless of the specific visit, every well-child checkup follows a similar structure. Knowing the format helps you participate actively rather than just waiting for the doctor to speak.

1. Measurements

The nurse will measure and record three things before the doctor comes in:

• Weight — in pounds/ounces or kilograms. Infants are weighed undressed.
• Length / Height — length is measured lying flat for babies; height standing for toddlers once they can stand steadily (usually around 24 months).
• Head circumference — measured with a flexible tape around the widest part of the skull. Tracked until age 2 (sometimes 3). Monitors brain growth.

These three measurements are then plotted on the WHO growth chart (0–24 months) or CDC growth chart (2+ years). Your baby's position on the chart matters less than the trend over multiple visits. See our companion guide on baby weight percentiles and growth charts.

2. Developmental Surveillance and Screening

The pediatrician will ask about your baby's development — what new skills they're showing, how they're communicating, and how they're interacting. At certain ages, standardized screening tools are used:

• Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) — a parent-completed form at 9, 18, 24, and 30 months that covers five developmental domains: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social.
• M-CHAT-R/F — Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers at 18 and 24 months. A brief parent questionnaire followed by a structured follow-up interview if the initial screen is positive.
• EPDS — Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Completed by the mother (or primary caregiver) at early visits. Screens for postpartum depression, which is highly treatable and significantly affects infant development when untreated.

3. Physical Exam

The pediatrician performs a head-to-toe physical examination at every visit. They're checking for:

• Fontanelle (soft spots on the skull) — should close between 9 and 18 months
• Eyes, ears, nose, throat — red reflex check to screen for cataracts and other eye problems
• Heart and lungs — auscultation for murmurs, breath sounds
• Abdomen — organ size, hernias
• Hips — developmental dysplasia screen in newborns
• Genitalia — normal development, undescended testicles in boys
• Skin — jaundice, rashes, birthmarks, hemangiomas
• Tone and reflexes — neurological development

4. Vaccines

Immunizations are administered according to the schedule (see our complete vaccine schedule guide). The nurse will provide a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for each vaccine given.

5. Anticipatory Guidance

This is where your pediatrician gives you age-specific guidance on what to expect in the next months — feeding changes, sleep patterns, developmental milestones, safety topics (car seats, water safety, electrical outlets), and behavior. This section is tailored to your baby's specific age and circumstances.

6. Your Questions

The most underused part of every visit. Many parents are nervous or forget their questions in the moment. Writing them down before the visit — in Bebblo or on paper — means you don't leave the office with unanswered concerns.

What to Ask at Each Visit: Questions by Age

The right questions change as your baby grows. These aren't exhaustive — they're the highest-yield topics for each stage.

Newborn visits (1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month)

• "My baby is gaining / losing weight — is that within range?"
• "How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk? How many wet and dirty diapers should I see?"
• "What's the safest sleep environment? Should my baby sleep in our room?"
• "When should I expect the umbilical cord to fall off? What's normal healing vs. infection?"
• "My baby is very jaundiced — when does jaundice require treatment?"
• "I'm struggling with breastfeeding. Do you have a lactation consultant referral?"
• "How can my partner tell if I'm showing signs of postpartum depression? What are the warning signs?"

2–6 months

• "Is my baby getting enough tummy time? How much is needed?"
• "My baby wakes up multiple times per night — is this within normal range for their age?"
• "When should we start solid foods? What are the signs of readiness?"
• "My baby seems to be in pain. Could this be reflux?"
• "Is it okay to use a pacifier? Will it affect breastfeeding or teeth?"
• "My baby's head seems flat on one side — what is positional plagiocephaly and do we need a helmet?"

6–12 months

• "My baby isn't crawling — is this a concern, or can some babies skip crawling?"
• "When should I introduce allergens like peanuts, eggs, and tree nuts?"
• "How much water can my baby have? When can they drink cow's milk?"
• "My baby seems very attached to me and cries when I leave the room — is separation anxiety normal?"
• "My baby still doesn't sleep through the night at 9 months. What sleep approaches do you recommend?"
• "When should I schedule the first dental appointment?"

12–24 months

• "My toddler only says a few words. How many words should they have at this age?"
• "What does the autism screening test (M-CHAT) actually look for? What happens if it's positive?"
• "My toddler is a picky eater and has food jags. When is this a problem?"
• "Should I be limiting screen time? What about video calls with grandparents?"
• "My toddler has frequent ear infections. When should we consider ear tubes?"
• "How do I handle tantrums? Are they normal at this age?"

Developmental screenings: what and when

Beyond the physical exam, specific developmental screenings happen at key ages:

• Newborn hearing screen — performed in hospital before discharge. If not passed, follow-up is arranged within 1 month.
• 9 months — Formal developmental screening using a validated tool (commonly the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, ASQ-3). Hearing re-screen if any concerns.
• 12 months — Blood lead level test if risk factors are present. Vision assessment (red reflex check at every visit, formal assessment from 12 months).
• 15 months — M-CHAT-R/F autism-specific screening questionnaire.
• 18 months — ASQ-3 formal developmental screen + M-CHAT-R/F follow-up if 15-month screen was borderline.

Screening is not diagnosis — a positive screen means further evaluation is needed, not that a condition is confirmed. Early identification allows for earlier intervention, which improves outcomes across virtually all developmental conditions.

Questions to ask your paediatrician at each visit

Come prepared with written questions — paediatricians appreciate parents who are engaged, and appointment time is limited. Useful questions at each stage:

• Every visit: "Is the growth tracking on their own curve?" "Are there any vaccines due today?" "Is there anything you are watching that I should know about?"
• 2–4 months: "What should safe sleep look like now?" "How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?"
• 6 months: "Is my baby showing signs of readiness for solid foods?" "How do I introduce allergens safely?"
• 9–12 months: "What developmental milestones should I expect in the next 3 months?" "Is speech development on track?"
• 15–18 months: "Is my toddler's vocabulary within normal range?" "What should I be doing to support language development?"

Red flags to mention regardless of when the next visit is due

Contact your paediatrician promptly if you notice any of the following between scheduled visits — do not wait for the next appointment:

• Not regaining birth weight by 2 weeks, or losing weight after regaining it
• Persistent yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) after 3 weeks
• Fever of 38°C / 100.4°F or above in a baby under 3 months — this is a medical emergency
• Not smiling responsively by 3 months
• Not turning toward sounds by 4 months
• Not reaching for objects by 6 months
• No babbling by 9 months
• No single words by 12 months, no pointing by 12 months
• Loss of previously acquired skills at any age

This article is for general guidance and does not replace medical advice. Always contact your paediatrician if you are concerned about your baby's health or development.

Frequently asked questions

How often should babies have well-baby visits?

The AAP recommends visits at 3–5 days, 1m, 2m, 4m, 6m, 9m, 12m, 15m and 18m. This schedule aligns with vaccine timing, growth monitoring and developmental screening windows. Missing visits means missed vaccines and screenings at the optimal age.

Can I skip or delay vaccines at well-baby visits?

The CDC and AAP do not recommend skipping or delaying vaccines. The schedule is designed to protect babies when most vulnerable. Spreading out vaccines does not reduce health risk — it extends the period of vulnerability. Discuss specific concerns directly with your paediatrician.

What growth chart percentile is normal for a baby?

Any percentile from the 3rd to the 97th is within the normal range. What matters more is that the baby tracks consistently on their own curve over time. A drop across major percentile bands between visits warrants investigation regardless of the absolute number.

What developmental screenings happen at well-baby visits?

Developmental surveillance happens at every visit. Formal standardised screening (ASQ) is recommended at 9, 18 and 30 months. Autism-specific screening (M-CHAT-R/F) at 15 and 18 months. Hearing screen at birth, with follow-up at 9 months if concerns. Vision from 6 months.

Track your baby's growth with Bebblo

Log weight and length after each checkup, track feeding and sleep patterns between visits, and arrive at every appointment with accurate data to share with your paediatrician. Free, no mandatory account.