What is a well-care visit?

It's important to take your child to the doctor when your child is ill. Or when your child needs an exam to take part in a sport. But routine well-care visits are also advised.

Well-care, well-baby, or well-child visits are routine visits to your child's doctor for:

• Physical exam.

• Mental health screening.

• Immunization updates.

• Tracking growth and development.

• Finding any problems before they become serious.

• Providing information on health and safety issues.

• Providing information on nutrition and physical fitness.

• Providing information on how to manage emergencies and illnesses.

Your child's doctor can also provide guidance on other issues, such as:

• Behavioral problems.

• Learning problems.

• Emotional problems.

• Family problems.

• Socialization problems.

• Puberty and concerns about the teen years.

When should well-care visits be scheduled?

Your child's doctor will give you a schedule of ages when a well-care visit is suggested. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises well-care visits at the following ages:

• Before a newborn is discharged from the hospital, or at 48 to 72 hours of age

• 3 to 5 days

• 2 to 4 weeks

• 2 months

• 4 months

• 6 months

• 9 months

• 12 months

• 15 months

• 18 months

• 24 months

• 30 months

• Each year, from 3 to 21 years