Recommended Well Child Visit Schedule
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a specific schedule of well-child visits that includes approximately 10 visits in the first 2 years of life, with continued regular visits through adolescence to monitor a child's growth, development, and health. 1
Recommended Schedule
Infancy (0-12 months)
- Newborn (3-5 days)
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
Early Childhood (1-4 years)
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 30 months
- 3 years
- 4 years
Middle Childhood (5-10 years)
- Annual visits at ages 5,6,7,8,9, and 10 years
Adolescence (11-21 years)
- Annual visits from ages 11 through 21 years
Components of Well-Child Visits
Physical Examination and Measurements
- Height, weight, and BMI measurements plotted on growth charts
- Blood pressure screening (appropriate for age/sex/height)
- Complete physical examination 2
Developmental and Behavioral Assessment
- Developmental surveillance at each visit
- Formal developmental screening at 9,18, and 30 months
- Autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months
- School readiness evaluation before kindergarten 3
Vision and Hearing Screening
- Vision screening beginning at age 3
- Hearing assessment throughout childhood 1
- Formal visual acuity screening at age 4 2
Immunizations
- Following the CDC immunization schedule at appropriate visits
Preventive Care and Guidance
- Age-appropriate safety counseling
- Nutrition guidance
- Physical activity recommendations
- Sleep recommendations
- Screen time limitations 2
Maternal and Family Assessment
- Screening for maternal depression during infant visits up to 6 months of age 1
- Family functioning assessment
Special Considerations
High-Risk Children
Children with risk indicators for developmental delays, hearing loss, or other health concerns may require more frequent monitoring. For example, children with risk factors for hearing loss should have more frequent audiological assessments 1.
Attendance Patterns
Research shows that certain well-child visits are more frequently missed than others, particularly the 15-month, 18-month, and 4-year visits 4. These visits represent critical opportunities for developmental screening and school readiness assessment, so efforts should be made to emphasize their importance to families.
Monitoring Growth and Development
Growth and development of children should be monitored at each visit 1. This includes:
- Physical growth parameters
- Developmental milestones
- Behavioral health
- Social-emotional development
Quality of Life Considerations
Well-child visits should address not only physical health but also quality of life factors:
- Symptom control can be monitored with validated tools
- Patient-reported outcomes should be assessed
- Impact on school attendance or activities should be evaluated 1
The frequency of follow-up evaluations should be tailored to the child's specific needs and health status 1. While the AAP periodicity schedule provides the framework, pediatric providers should consider individual circumstances that may necessitate additional visits or assessments.
By following this comprehensive schedule of well-child visits, healthcare providers can effectively monitor children's growth and development, provide timely interventions when needed, and support optimal health outcomes.