Once Baby Arrives: What’s Next?

Congratulations on your new arrival! Now that baby is here, you may be wondering: what’s next? As you settle into your new routine as a parent to a newborn, your pediatrician will help you monitor your baby’s growth and development with a series of well child visits. The pediatrician will examine your baby and ensure they are meeting developmental milestones. They will also administer immunizations according to the schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Well child visits are a chance for you to meet with the doctor and ask any questions you might have about your baby’s health.

Well Child Visit Schedule

Your baby will see the pediatrician frequently the first two years of life. This is because a lot of development occurs in baby’s first years, and the pediatrician will monitor this growth and determine that your baby is developing normally. If any developmental concerns arise, your pediatrician will refer you to the appropriate pediatric specialist for further evaluation and treatment.

A typical well child visit includes visits at the following ages:

The first week visit (3 to 5 days old)
1 month old
2 months old
4 months old
6 months old
9 months old
12 months old
15 months old
18 months old
2 years old (24 months)

2 ½ years old (30 months)
3 years old
4 years old
5 years old
6 years old
7 years old
8 years old
9 years old
10 years old
11 years old

12 years old
13 years old
14 years old
15 years old
16 years old
17 years old
18 years old
19 years old
20 years old
21 years old