Why checkups matter

• They catch small things early, before they become big problems.

• They track your child's growth and development over time.

• They keep your child up to date on shots.

• They build a trusted relationship with your child's doctor.

Checkup schedule

Babies and toddlers grow fast, so checkups happen often. Doctors recommend visits at:

• The first week (3 to 5 days old)

• 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months

• 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months

• 2 years, 2 and a half years, and 3 years

• Once a year after age 3

What happens at a visit

• A growth check (weight, length, and head size)

• A look at your child's development and milestones

• Shots to prevent illness

• Simple screenings, like hearing, vision, and development

• Time to ask about eating, sleep, behavior, and safety

Why shots matter

Shots protect your child from serious illnesses. Some of these were once common and made many children very sick. Thanks to shots, they are now rare.

• What shots protect against: illnesses like whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, chickenpox, tetanus, diphtheria, and serious infections such as Hib and pneumococcal disease.

• They start at birth. Your child's shots follow a schedule. Your Arbor doctor will tell you which shots your child needs at each visit and answer your questions.

• Shots are safe. Most side effects are mild, like a sore spot or a low fever. Serious reactions are very rare.

What you can do now

• Book your child's next checkup, even if they feel fine.

• Keep a short list of questions to bring to the visit.

• Bring your child's shot record to every visit.

• Call us to catch up on any missed checkups or shots.

Learn more from trusted sources

CDC Vaccines by Age (full shot schedule) 

HealthyChildren.org (AAP), Schedule of Well-Child Visits