Well-Care Visits
What is a well-care visit?
In addition to taking your child to the physician when your child is ill, or needs an examination to participate in a particular activity, routine well-care visits are recommended.
Well-care, well-baby, or well-child visits are routine visits to the child's physician for the following reasons:
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Physical examinations
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Immunization updates
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Tracking growth and development
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Finding any problems before they become serious
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Information on health and safety issues
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Information on nutrition and physical fitness
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Information on how to manage emergencies and illnesses
Your child's physician can also provide guidance on other issues, such as the following:
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Behavioral problems
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Learning problems
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Emotional problems
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Family problems
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Socialization problems
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Puberty and concerns about teenage years
When should well-care visits be scheduled?
Your child's physician will give you a schedule of ages when a well-care visit is suggested. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends this schedule for routine well-care visits at the following ages:
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Before newborn is discharged from the hospital, or at 48 to 72 hours of age
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3 to 5 days
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2 to 4 weeks
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2 months
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4 months
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6 months
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9 months
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12 months
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15 months
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18 months
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24 months
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2 years
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3 years
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4 years
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5 years
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Annually, between ages of 6 and 21 years