Well Child Visits

Childhood is a time of rapid growth and change. You will have pediatric well-child visits most often when your child is developing the fastest. Each visit includes a complete physical examination. At this exam, the health care provider will check the infant or young child's growth and development and try to find problems early.  

The health care provider will record your child's height, weight, and other important information. Hearing, vision, and other tests will be part of some visits. Preventive care is important to keep children healthy. 

What to Expect at Your Visit

Well-child visits are key times for communication. Expect to be given information about normal development, nutrition, sleep, safety, diseases that are "going around", and other important topics. Make the most of these visits by writing down important questions and concerns to bring with you.

Special attention is paid to whether the child is meeting normal developmental milestones. The height, weight, and head circumference are recorded on a growth chart, which the health care provider keeps with the child's medical record. Ask your doctor about the body mass index (BMI) curve, which is the most important tool for identifying and preventing obesity.


This chart lists important vaccines and tests as well as recommended well-child visits. In addition to these vaccinations, we recommend all children aged 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every fall. 

Visit & Immunization Schedule 

Note: A visit with a health care provider before the baby is born is important for first-time parents, those with high-risk pregnancies, and any other parent who wishes to discuss common issues such as feeding, circumcision, and general questions. 

Birth

3-5 days
  • Well-child visit

7-14 days
  • Well-child visit
2 months
  • Well-child visit
  • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis)
  • Hep B
  • Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
  • PCV (pneumococcal disease)
  • Rotavirus (given by mouth)
  • IPV (polio)
4 months
  • Well-child visit
  • DTaP
  • Hib
  • PCV
  • Rotavirus (given by mouth)
  • IPV 
6 months
  • Well-child visit
  • DTaP
  • Hep B
  • PCV
  • Hib, if needed
  • Rotavirus (given by mouth)
  • IPV
9 months
  • Well-child visit
12 months
  • Well-child visit
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella); not before first birthday
  • Hepatitis A (Hep A); not before first birthday
  • Varicella (chickenpox); not before first birthday 
15-18 months
  • Well-child visit
  • DTaP
  • Hib
  • PCV
  • Any 12-month immunizations not already given

2 years
  • Well-child visit
  • Hep A
3 years
  • Well-child visit
  • Vision screen
  • Hearing screen
4 years
  • Well-child visit
  • 5 years
  • Well-child visit
  • DTaP
  • IPV
  • Varicella
  • MMR
6 years
  • Well-child visit
8 years
  • Well-child visit
10 years
  • Well-child visit
11 years
  • Well-child visit
  • Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
  • MCV (meningococcal disease)
  • HPV (human papillomavirus) in three doses, all to be given within 6 months
12 years
  • Well-child visit
13 years
  • Well-child visit
  • Varicella blood test, if vaccine not given and no history of chickenpox
16 years
  • Well-child visit
  • MCV booster

10 -21 Years
  • We recommend a well-child visit each year from ages 10 to 18. To make sure your child doesn't miss a visit, make the appointment one to two months before your child's birthday. If your child needs a sports or camp physical, you can schedule an annual well-visit at the same time.
  • For well-care visits for youth, read about teen appointments.

IMMUNIZATION RECORDS

You can view your child's immunization records online by signing up for parental access to MyGroupHealth. The online records are available for children from birth through age 12 who get care at a Group Health medical center. If you are a new Group Health member, please bring your child's immunization record to your first visit so we can add these to your child's Group Health record.

You can get a Lifetime Immunization Record card to track your child's immunizations. Ask your child's health care team for a copy or contact the Resource Line.