Regular checkups, called well-baby visits, help us make sure that your child’s weight gain and growth are on track, his or her development is progressing normally, and that he or she is eating well and getting proper nutrients. The visits also prepare you as parents for what to expect in terms of baby care and developmental milestones before the next exam.
Your first well-baby visit will probably be a day or two after coming home from the hospital. We will want to check your newborn for problems, such as jaundice, heart murmurs, and feeding difficulty, which sometimes aren’t apparent until the third or fourth day of life. After that, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a checkup at 2 weeks, followed by visits at 2, 4, 6, and 9 months, 12, 15, and 18 months, and 2 years.
