Well-baby visit checklist: what happens at each checkup (birth to 18 months)

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.

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.

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